the damage would be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the damage would be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing potential consequences or outcomes related to damage in various contexts, such as legal, financial, or physical scenarios. Example: "If the storm hits our area, the damage would be extensive, affecting both homes and businesses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

The damage would be substantial.

The New York Times

"The damage would be irreversible.

The Guardian

The damage would be irreparable to him and his league.

The New York Times - Sports

Another out and the damage would be kept to one run.

The New York Times - Sports

But Julie Jones says the damage would be done with the referendum.

The Guardian

Though she could not reach it during the floods, she knew the damage would be bad.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Lord Brennan said the bereaved relatives were determined that the damages would be paid.

Independent

He is requiring the Palestinians to post a bond of $192.7 million so that if they lose again, the damages would be paid.

The New York Times

If residents' fair market salaries were determined to be $100,000, say, the sums at issue for a single year would exceed $12 billion, and since this is an antitrust case, the damages would be automatically tripled.

The New York Times

"Buildings such as these collapse during a regular Mumbai monsoon, so if a cyclone of the scale of Sandy were to take place here, the damages would be staggering to say the least".

The New York Times

Regardless of the total gallons spilled, she added, the damaged would be long lasting: "The oil spreads out in waves, it sinks and goes into sediments and will be stirred up again when a storm hits".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the damage would be", ensure the context clearly defines what type of damage is being discussed (e.g., financial, environmental, reputational) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically sound, relying too heavily on "the damage would be" can make your writing sound passive. Consider rephrasing to emphasize who or what is causing the damage for a more direct and impactful statement. For example, instead of "the damage would be extensive", try "the storm would cause extensive damage".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the damage would be" functions as a statement of potential consequence. Ludwig AI examples show its frequent use in predicting the outcome of a hypothetical or future event, outlining the extent of negative impact. The phrase sets up an expectation or estimation of what might occur.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the damage would be" is a versatile phrase used to express potential negative consequences, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its grammatical structure is straightforward, and it is most commonly found in news reporting and scientific analyses. While the phrase is generally correct, writers should be mindful of the active/passive voice and ensure the context clarifies the type and source of damage. The phrase enjoys frequent usage, making it a valuable expression when discussing potential negative impacts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the harm would be

Uses "harm" instead of "damage", often implying moral or ethical implications.

the repercussions would be

Replaces "damage" with "repercussions", highlighting the indirect consequences of an action.

the consequences would be

Substitutes "damage" with "consequences", emphasizing the results or effects of something.

the impact would be

Replaces "damage" with "impact", focusing on the effect or influence of an event.

the effect would be

Uses "effect" instead of "damage", which can be more general and less specific.

the fallout would be

Replaces "damage" with "fallout", suggesting negative aftereffects or consequences, often in a figurative sense.

the implications would be

Focuses on the broader, often indirect, effects and potential consequences.

it would result in

Changes the structure to focus on the action leading to the damage, rather than describing the damage itself.

it would cause

Changes the phrase to an active construction, focusing on the cause of the damage rather than the damage itself.

the cost would be

Shifts the focus to the financial or material expense resulting from an action.

FAQs

How can I use "the damage would be" in a sentence?

You can use "the damage would be" to describe potential consequences or outcomes. For example, "If the company fails to address these issues, the damage would be significant".

What can I say instead of "the damage would be"?

You can use alternatives like "the consequences would be", "the impact would be", or "it would result in" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "the damage would be" or "the damages would be"?

"The damage would be" is generally used when referring to overall harm or negative effects in a broad sense. "The damages would be" is more appropriate in legal contexts, referring to monetary compensation awarded for harm caused.

What's the difference between "the damage would be" and "the loss would be"?

While both phrases describe negative outcomes, "the damage would be" typically refers to physical or structural harm, whereas "the loss would be" can refer to a broader range of negative outcomes, including financial or emotional setbacks.