was severely damaged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was severely damaged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has experienced significant harm or destruction, often in contexts related to accidents, disasters, or wear and tear. Example: "The building was severely damaged during the storm, leaving it unsafe for occupancy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was severely damaged by earthquakes on several occasions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A railway station was severely damaged.

Independent

The 1940 building was severely damaged.

The New York Times

The city was severely damaged in World War II.

Britannica

He said the South Korean vessel was severely damaged.

The New York Times

By then Mr. Kozlowski's credibility with investors was severely damaged.

The New York Times

The Wren wing was severely damaged by fire in 1986.

Britannica

Jones said Williams's sense of smell was severely damaged.

The New York Times - Sports

Nearby West Intermediate School was severely damaged by the explosion.

The Guardian

It was severely damaged during World War II.

Britannica

The city was severely damaged during World War II.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the extent of damage, be specific about what "was severely damaged". Avoid vague statements and provide details about the affected areas or components.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the severity of damage with "was severely damaged" when the situation does not warrant it. Use more moderate language if the damage is not truly severe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was severely damaged" functions as a passive construction, where the subject receives the action of being damaged. This indicates a state resulting from an event that caused significant harm. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and frequent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

28%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was severely damaged" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe substantial harm or destruction. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is frequently used in news, encyclopedic entries, and scientific reports to convey the extent of damage experienced by a subject. While versatile, it's important to use the phrase accurately, avoiding exaggeration when the damage is not truly severe and providing specific details about what was affected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sustained critical damage

Emphasizes the criticality of the damage received.

suffered extensive harm

Highlights the extent of the damage experienced.

incurred substantial destruction

Focuses on the destructive impact.

was critically impaired

Indicates a significant reduction in functionality due to the damage.

was left in ruins

Implies complete or near-complete destruction.

was devastated

Conveys a sense of overwhelming damage and destruction.

was rendered unusable

Highlights the functional consequences of the damage.

underwent catastrophic failure

Emphasizes the sudden and complete nature of the damage.

experienced major compromise

Indicates a significant weakening or breach due to the damage.

was irreparably harmed

Suggests that the damage is beyond repair or restoration.

FAQs

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

The phrase "was severely damaged" is used to describe something that has experienced significant harm or destruction. For example, "The building "was severely damaged" during the earthquake".

What are some alternatives to saying "was severely damaged"?

You can use alternatives like "sustained critical damage", "suffered extensive harm", or "was devastated" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "was severely damaged" or "was slightly damaged"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they convey different degrees of damage. "Was severely damaged" indicates significant harm, while "was slightly damaged" suggests minor harm.

What does it mean when something "was severely damaged"?

It means that the object, structure, or entity in question experienced significant harm or destruction, potentially affecting its functionality or integrity. It is a stronger expression than "was damaged".