Archives: March 2020

Prof. Kev Nair's Tips on English Usage

COMPREHENSIVE FLUENT-ENGLISH USAGE™

March 4, 2020

“damage” OR “damages”?: What’s the correct usage?

Mind you, in certain contexts, damage (without an ‘s’) alone is right; but in certain other contexts, damages (with an ‘s’) alone is right. Let’s look at what these contexts are.

Damage (without an ‘s’)

When somebody/ something does some kind of physical harm to something, like breaking it or injuring it or spoiling it, that thing becomes less valuable, less useful or less attractive. This harm may also make it stop functioning normally or properly.

This physical harm is called “damage” (without an ‘s’).

Last night’s storm has done extensive damage to property around that place.

There was an accident on the way; but the car has suffered only minimal damage.

This is criminal/ malicious damage. Who caused it?

The flood has caused widespread property damage.

The harmful, detrimental or unpleasant effects of an event or action on somebody or something is also called “damage” (without an ‘s’).

Who is answerable for the emotional/ psychological damage done to her?

Has all this caused irreparable damage to the relationship between the two countries?

It was a head injury, wasn’t it? Has he suffered any brain damage?

I don’t think these events can cause any damage to their domestic/ national/ internal economy.

He was speaking about the damage done by all this to his reputation.

Mind you, when it is used in the above-mentioned senses, the word “damage” is an Uncount word. That is, you cannot use it as a singular noun or as a plural noun – to express the above-mentioned meanings.

In other words, the form of the word must be “damage” (without an ‘s') itself. And you must not say or write “damages” (with an ‘s’) or “a damage” (with an ‘a’ before it) – to express the above-mentioned meanings.

Damages (with an ‘s’)

However, there’s one situation in which the term “damages” (with an ‘s’) is used. Yes, this term “damages” (with an ‘s’) is a plural word. But take note of this: The term “damages” (with an ‘s’) has a meaning that is far removed from the meanings of “damage” (without an ‘s') we’ve looked at – though that meaning [of “damages” (with an ‘s’)] is related to the core meaning of “damage” (without an ‘s') we saw above.

Now, what does the term “damages” (with an ‘s’) mean?

Suppose that A harms B or B’s property or injures B’s reputation or causes some kind of a loss to him. And suppose that B proceeds against A in a court of law. The court might then pass an order directing A to pay a certain sum of money to B.

The term “damages” (with an ‘s’) means this money. This means that, essentially, the term “damages” refers to the monetary equivalent of the harm suffered by B, which B can claim from A.

The driver was ordered to pay damages of Rs.50,000/- to the person he knocked down on the road.

How much did the court award them as damages?

We’re suing the company for damages.

The workers have decided to recover the damages incurred by them from their employers.

I can’t say whether the other party is liable for damages in this case.

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