What is damage? Pronunciation and usage in English

damage means . Learn how to pronounce and use damage through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of damage

damagenoun/verb

/ˈdamɪdʒ/
Definition & pronunciation of damage

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "damage" in English. It's a tricky one because it's often mispronounced! Here's a breakdown:

The Correct Pronunciation:

  • DAH-muj

Let's break that down further:

  • DAH: This is a short, sharp "ah" sound, like in the word "father." It's a bit more emphasized than a typical "ah."
  • muj: This rhymes with "but" or "cut." The "j" is a soft "j" sound, almost like the "j" in "judge."

Here's a breakdown with audio examples:

Common Mistakes & Why They're Wrong:

  • "Dahm-age": This is the most common mistake. The "a" in "damage" is not the same as the "a" in "age."
  • "Day-mage": Incorrect vowel sound.

Tips for Getting It Right:

  1. Isolate the sounds: Practice saying "dah" and "muj" separately, then blend them together.
  2. Focus on the short "ah" sound: Don’t over-emphasize the "a."
  3. Think of "damage" as "dah-muj": Mentally breaking it down helps.

Do you want me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation?
  • Give you some example sentences using the word "damage"?

Usage and examples with the word damage in English

Let's break down how to use the word "damage" in English. It's a versatile word with multiple meanings, so understanding its nuances is key. Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. Physical Damage (Most Common)

  • Definition: To harm or injure something physically.
  • Examples:
    • "The storm damaged the roof of the house." (The roof was harmed.)
    • "He damaged his car in the accident." (The car was physically harmed.)
    • "The earthquake caused extensive damage to the city." (A lot of physical harm occurred.)
    • "Be careful not to damage the equipment." (Don't hurt it physically.)

2. Damage as a Verb (To Cause Harm)

  • Definition: To inflict harm or injury.
  • Examples:
    • "The acid damaged the paper." (The acid made the paper ruined.)
    • "Smoking damages your lungs." (Smoking causes harm to your lungs.)
    • "Poor diet can damage your health." (A bad diet harms your health.)

3. Damage as a Noun (The Result of Harm)

  • Definition: The harm or injury that has been done. It's the effect of the damage.
  • Examples:
    • "The damage to the car was extensive." (The extent of the harm)
    • "He suffered damage to his reputation." (The harm to his reputation)
    • "The report detailed the environmental damage caused by the spill." (The harm to the environment)

4. Figurative Damage (Emotional/Mental/Reputational)

  • Definition: To harm someone’s feelings, mental state, or reputation. This is a very common use.
  • Examples:
    • "His words damaged her confidence." (Her feelings were harmed.)
    • "The scandal damaged his career." (His reputation was harmed.)
    • "Constant criticism can damage relationships." (Relationships are harmed.)
    • "The rumours did damage to his standing with the community." (His reputation was harmed.)

Key Phrases & Related Words:

  • Cause damage: “The fire caused considerable damage.”
  • Inflict damage: "He inflicted damage on her feelings." (More formal)
  • Result in damage: "The negligence resulted in damage to the property."
  • Extent of the damage: “We need to assess the extent of the damage.”
  • Minor damage: “There was only minor damage to the wall."
  • Major damage: “The storm caused major damage.”
  • Repair damage: “They are working to repair the damage.”

Important Notes:

  • "Damage" vs. "Harm": While often used interchangeably, “damage” typically refers to physical harm or injury. “Harm” is broader and can refer to any kind of negative impact – emotional, physical, etc.
  • "Injury" vs. "Damage": “Injury” is often used for physical harm to a person. “Damage” is more commonly used for harm to objects.
  • Prepositions: "Damage" often appears with prepositions like "to" (e.g., "damage to a building") or "of" (e.g., "damage of the system").

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking about? (e.g., talking about a car accident, writing a report, describing a feeling, etc.)

Synonyms for the word damage

Idioms of the word damage

what’s the damage?
(informal)a way of asking how much something costs

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