was damaged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was damaged" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever something has been affected negatively by an outside source. For example, "The car was damaged in the accident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

One eye was damaged.

The Guardian

No one was damaged.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was damaged.

The New York Times - Sports

The whole block was damaged.

The New York Times

Property was damaged.

The Washington Post

Nobody's career was damaged.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

"The weekend was damaging.

BBC

Certainly, dozens were damaged.

The New York Times

Many others were damaged.

The New York Times

Many more were damaged.

The New York Times

No items were damaged".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was damaged" in passive constructions when the object affected is more important than the cause of the damage. For example: "The artwork was damaged by the flood."

Common error

Avoid using "was damaged" when an active voice construction is clearer and more direct. For instance, instead of "The window was damaged by the boy", consider "The boy damaged the window."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was damaged" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that a subject has received damage, shifting the focus from the actor to the recipient of the action. This is consistent with the examples provided by Ludwig, where various subjects are described as having undergone damage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Science

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was damaged" is a common and grammatically correct passive verb phrase used to describe a state of harm or impairment. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to report damage to a subject, often shifting the focus from the cause to the affected object. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts but also appears in formal business and wiki sources. When using "was damaged", consider the clarity of active voice alternatives and the specific nuance you want to convey. Similar phrases include "sustained damage", "was harmed", and "was impaired", each offering a slightly different emphasis. While versatile, remember to choose the most precise wording for your context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sustained damage

Emphasizes the act of undergoing or experiencing damage.

suffered damage

Similar to 'sustained damage', but with a slightly stronger emphasis on the negative experience.

was harmed

Focuses on the negative impact or injury caused.

was impaired

Highlights a reduction in function or quality.

was compromised

Indicates that something has been weakened or made vulnerable.

was injured

Suggests physical harm or wounding.

was affected

A more general term, indicating that something has been influenced, often negatively.

was ruined

Implies a complete loss or destruction of something.

was deteriorated

Emphasizes a gradual decline in quality or condition.

was defaced

Highlights the act of spoiling the surface or appearance of something.

FAQs

How can I use "was damaged" in a sentence?

Use "was damaged" to describe something that has experienced harm or impairment. For example, "The car "was damaged" in the collision".

What are some alternatives to "was damaged"?

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

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing damage?

It depends on the focus. Use active voice if you want to emphasize the cause of the damage (e.g., "The storm damaged the house"). Use passive voice with "was damaged" if you want to emphasize the object that experienced the damage (e.g., "The house "was damaged" by the storm").

What's the difference between "was damaged" and "is damaged"?

"Was damaged" indicates that the damage occurred in the past, while "is damaged" indicates that the damage is present at the current time. For example, "The bridge "was damaged" in the earthquake" (past event), vs. "The bridge is damaged and needs repair" (current state).