they were damaged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were damaged" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe objects or items that have suffered harm or deterioration. Example: "After the storm, they were damaged and needed to be replaced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

They were damaged people".

The Guardian

"They were damaged goods," Pecora said.

The New York Times - Sports

You could sense that they were damaged".

The New York Times - Style

They were damaged early but finished strong.

The New York Times - Sports

"They were damaged people," Frazier has Cooper say, "and they lived in a broken world".

The New Yorker

The standard practice had long been to repair books as librarians noticed they were damaged.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

They were damaging comedy.

The Guardian - Opinion

They are damaged by money-soaked elections.

The New York Times

"They are damaged and badly tuned".

The New York Times

Even now that I've retired, they are damaged.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Nobody wins if they're damaged or impeded.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were damaged", ensure the context clearly identifies what 'they' refers to, preventing ambiguity.

Common error

In highly formal or scientific writing, consider using more precise synonyms like "compromised", "deteriorated", or "impaired" instead of the more general "damaged".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were damaged" functions as a passive construction, indicating that 'they' (the subject) underwent an action resulting in harm or impairment. Ludwig AI validates this with numerous examples where the phrase describes the state of objects, people, or systems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

16%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were damaged" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something has sustained harm, impairment, or deterioration. Ludwig AI confirms this, highlighting its frequent use across diverse contexts. While it's acceptable in most situations, consider using more precise synonyms like "compromised" or "impaired" in formal writing. Given its wide applicability, ensuring clarity by explicitly stating what "they" refers to is essential to prevent ambiguity. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, and science, with less common usage in formal business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were harmed

Uses "harmed" as a direct synonym for "damaged".

they sustained damage

Replaces "were damaged" with a more formal verb phrase.

they incurred damage

Similar to 'sustained damage' but emphasizes the process of damage occurring.

they suffered harm

Substitutes "damaged" with "harm", suggesting a broader range of negative impact.

they were impaired

Focuses specifically on the loss of functionality due to damage.

they became impaired

Focuses on the reduced functionality resulting from the damage.

they were compromised

Suggests that their integrity or functionality was negatively affected.

they were ruined

Indicates a more severe level of damage, suggesting irreparable harm.

they deteriorated

Highlights the process of declining condition.

they were affected

A more general term indicating influence or impact, less specific than "damaged".

FAQs

How can I use "they were damaged" in a sentence?

You can use "they were damaged" to describe a state where something has been harmed or broken. For example, "The goods arrived, but "they were damaged" during transit".

What can I say instead of "they were damaged"?

Alternatives include "they were harmed", "they sustained damage", or "they were impaired" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "they were damaged" or "it was damaged"?

The correct usage depends on the subject. Use "they were damaged" for plural subjects and "it was damaged" for singular subjects. For example, "The cars were damaged" versus "The car was damaged".

What's the difference between "they were damaged" and "they are damaged"?

"They were damaged" implies the damage occurred in the past, while "they are damaged" indicates the damage is present or ongoing. For instance, "They were damaged in the storm yesterday" versus "They are damaged and need immediate repair".