sustaining damage

USAGE SUMMARY

"sustaining damage" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when describing situations or objects in which damage has been sustained. For example: "The car sustained significant damage when it crashed into a tree."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Mr. Obama may be sustaining damage in subtler ways.

The New York Times

There are claims of homes sustaining damage and businesses suffering financial loss.

The Guardian

They lost machinery, equipment and timber stock, as well as sustaining damage to the building itself.

The Guardian

It has been closed since October after sustaining damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

The New York Times

For the St Mirren fans, of course, each minute that passed without sustaining damage would seem like a valuable gift.

The Guardian - Sport

El Nido has not suffered any damage and the surrounding coral reefs are intact, with only very shallow ones sustaining damage.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

BAD: it sustained damage.

The Guardian

Nearly all helicopters sustain damage.

The New York Times

A veterinary clinic and a mosque also sustained damage.

The New York Times

Buildings can sustain damage that can be worsened by aftershocks.

The New York Times

At least two other buildings sustained damage, the Buildings Department said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing damage, be specific about the type and extent. Instead of just saying "The building sustained damage", specify what part of the building was damaged and how severely.

Common error

Avoid consistently using the passive voice when describing damage. Instead of "Damage was sustained by the car", use the active voice: "The car sustained damage." This makes your writing more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sustaining damage" functions as a verb phrase, where "sustaining" is a verb in its gerund or present participle form, and "damage" is a noun. This verb phrase typically acts as part of a larger clause, describing the action of something receiving harm or injury. As Ludwig AI states, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sustaining damage" is a grammatically correct and widely used verb phrase that describes the action of something receiving harm. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and useful expression. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, from news reports to scientific articles. While synonyms like "incurring damage" and "suffering harm" exist, they carry slightly different connotations. The most common contexts in which it appears are News & Media, Science and Wiki. It's also important to remember to use the active voice when possible, and be specific about the type and extent of the damage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incurring damage

This alternative focuses on the act of bringing damage upon oneself or something else.

suffering harm

This phrase broadens the scope to include any kind of harm, not just physical damage.

receiving injury

Similar to suffering harm but more focused on physical harm or injury.

experiencing loss

This option highlights the negative consequence of damage, focusing on what is lost.

being impaired

Highlights the reduction in functionality or effectiveness due to damage.

taking a hit

A more informal way of saying something has been negatively affected.

undergoing deterioration

Suggests a gradual decline or weakening due to damage over time.

encountering setbacks

Emphasizes the impediment or obstacle caused by damage.

facing destruction

Suggests a more severe level of damage, implying near or total ruin.

getting wrecked

An informal way of saying that something has been severely damaged or destroyed.

FAQs

How can I use "sustaining damage" in a sentence?

You can use "sustaining damage" to describe something that has experienced harm or injury, such as, "The vehicle was "sustaining damage" during the accident" or "The coral reefs are "sustaining damage" because of pollution".

What are some alternatives to "sustaining damage"?

Alternatives include "incurring damage", "suffering harm", or "experiencing loss" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "sustaining damage" or "suffering damage"?

Both "sustaining damage" and "suffering damage" are correct and often interchangeable. "Sustaining damage" might imply a more direct cause, while "suffering damage" can suggest a more passive experience of harm.

What's the difference between "sustaining damage" and "maintaining damage"?

"Sustaining damage" refers to the act of experiencing harm or loss. "Maintaining damage" isn't a standard phrase, suggesting that things might be in decay. You could instead say "repairing damage".