take damage

USAGE SUMMARY

"take damage" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something (usually an object or person) being harmed in some way. For example, "The car took significant damage in the accident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

They act as a kind of second life for you - you can take damage then eject out.

The Guardian - Tech

Instead of the customary health display bar, your dwindling condition is indicated by changes in the graphics, which become brighter and somewhat overexposed as you take damage.

The New York Times - Tech

The game in which enemies and the player lose proficiency as they take damage still awaits us, but in the meantime, it's agreeable to find other ways to resolve combat.

The New York Times - Tech

Later on in the game, traps such as bins full of exploding spider-robots become a real danger (again, the OWL can hack them), and you meet some formidable enemies, such as giant mechs which only take damage when stunned, either by EMP grenades or your OWL's EMP blast.

The Guardian - Tech

However, these robots may take damage when trees fall down against them.

ROBOMECH Journal

Facebook still stands to take damage from the trumped up release of these "leaked" guides.

TechCrunch

With Explosive, sometimes you get overrun and you're gonna take damage no matter what.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Patients receiving new kidneys and livers must take damaging anti-rejection drugs for the rest of their lives.

The New York Times

If one of your structures takes damage, you will hear a beep and your HUD will highlight the damaged structure.

WikiHow

But after an unfortunate visit by a dragon, the bridge has taken damage in multiple places and is now unusable.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It is also not always easy to know which direction you are being attacked from when taking damage.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take damage" to describe a tangible loss or harm to a person or object. Be specific about the type and extent of the damage whenever possible.

Common error

Avoid using "take damage" interchangeably with phrases that imply causing damage. "Inflict damage" or "deal damage" refer to the act of causing harm, while "take damage" refers to receiving it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take damage" functions as a verb phrase, where "take" acts as a verb indicating the action of receiving, and "damage" is a noun representing the harm received. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase is a common way to describe something experiencing harm.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

36%

News & Media

34%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take damage" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe receiving harm or injury. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in various contexts, from describing physical harm to abstract damage. It's most frequently found in Wiki, News & Media and Science sources. While synonyms like "sustain injuries" or "endure harm" exist, it's crucial to differentiate "take damage" from phrases like "inflict damage", which indicate causing harm rather than receiving it. Remember to be specific about the nature and extent of the damage for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sustain injuries

Focuses on physical harm received.

endure harm

Emphasizes the act of withstanding negative effects.

suffer losses

Highlights the negative consequences experienced.

bear the brunt

Indicates absorbing the main impact of something harmful.

be affected negatively

A broader term for experiencing adverse effects.

experience deterioration

Highlights a decline in condition due to external factors.

undergo impairment

Focuses on the reduction of functionality or capability.

receive a blow

Implies a sudden and impactful negative event.

face destruction

Highlights potential devastation or ruin.

absorb impact

Emphasizes the act of receiving force or damage.

FAQs

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

You can use "take damage" to describe when something or someone receives harm. For example, "The car began to "take damage" after the collision".

What's a good alternative to "take damage"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "sustain injuries", "endure harm", or "suffer losses".

Is it correct to say "took damage" or "taken damage"?

"Took damage" is the past tense, while "taken damage" is the past participle. Use "took damage" for simple past tense sentences (e.g., "The building took damage during the storm.") and "taken damage" with auxiliary verbs (e.g., "The building has taken damage.").

Can "take damage" apply to abstract concepts, or only physical objects?

While often used for physical objects or beings, "take damage" can sometimes apply to abstract concepts in a metaphorical sense. For example, "The company's reputation began to "take damage" after the scandal."