were damaged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were damaged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has suffered harm or impairment in the past. Example: "The artifacts were damaged during the storm and required extensive restoration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

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

They were damaged people".

The Guardian

Both were damaged.

The New York Times

Both firms' plants were damaged.

The Economist

Other concession stands were damaged.

The New York Times

Many other plants were damaged.

The New York Times

Another 50 buildings were damaged.

The New York Times

The Byrds were damaged goods.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing damage, be specific about the type and extent of the damage. For instance, instead of just saying "the building was damaged", specify "the building's roof and windows were damaged by the storm".

Common error

Avoid using "were damaged" too frequently without specifying the cause. If possible, rephrase to use an active voice for clearer and more engaging writing. For example, instead of "the vase was damaged", write "the child broke the vase".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were damaged" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject has received harm or impairment. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase in written English. Examples show its use across various contexts to describe the state of objects or entities after experiencing some form of negative impact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

30%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were damaged" is a versatile and correct phrase used to describe a state of harm or impairment, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is frequently found in neutral contexts like news reports and factual descriptions. When using this phrase, consider being specific about the type and cause of the damage and avoid overuse of the passive voice. Alternatives like "sustained damage" or "were harmed" can add nuance to your writing. Remember to match the verb tense to the subject; "was damaged" for singular subjects and "were damaged" for plural.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sustained damage

Focuses on the act of receiving damage, often implying a specific event caused the damage.

were harmed

A more general term indicating injury or negative impact, not necessarily physical.

were impaired

Suggests a reduction in function or ability due to the damage.

were affected

Indicates an influence or impact, which may or may not be negative but implies a change.

were compromised

Implies a weakening or vulnerability as a result of the damage.

were wrecked

Suggests severe damage or destruction, often irreparable.

were ruined

Similar to wrecked, but can also apply to intangible things like reputations or plans.

were injured

Specifically refers to physical harm or wounds.

were defaced

Implies damage that mars the surface or appearance.

were broken

Suggests a separation or fracturing of something, implying it is no longer whole.

FAQs

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

You can use "were damaged" to describe something that experienced harm or impairment, like "The crops "were damaged" by the frost".

What are some alternatives to "were damaged"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "sustained damage", "were harmed", or "were impaired".

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

"Was damaged" is for singular subjects (e.g., "The car was damaged"), while "were damaged" is for plural subjects (e.g., "The cars "were damaged"").

What's the difference between "were damaged" and "were destroyed"?

"Were damaged" implies harm or impairment, but not necessarily complete ruin. "Were destroyed" indicates total destruction.