LingvoCore.com

damages

B2-C1
UK/ˈdæm.ɪ.dʒɪz/US/ˈdæm.ɪ.dʒɪz/

Formal, Legal, Journalistic

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

A sum of money claimed or awarded in compensation for loss or injury, typically in a legal context.

As a plural noun, it refers to the monetary compensation awarded by a court. As a verb, it means to cause physical harm to something, reducing its value or usefulness.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

As a plural noun, it functions as a mass noun (e.g., award substantial damages). The singular 'damage' refers to the physical harm or loss itself, not the compensation.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Minimal. Both use the term identically in legal contexts. Spelling in verb/adjectival forms: BrE 'damaging', AmE also 'damaging'. No difference in the noun 'damages'.

Connotations

Identical strong legal and financial connotations in both varieties.

Frequency

Slightly higher frequency in AmE due to more prevalent litigation culture and media reporting on lawsuits.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
award damagesclaim damagesseek damagessubstantial damagespunitive damagescompensatory damagespay damagesrecover damages
medium
heavy damagesnominal damagesassess damagescalculate damagesliable for damagessue for damages
weak
court damagesfinancial damagesconsiderable damagespotential damagessignificant damages

Grammar

Valency Patterns

claim damages from [person/company] for [loss/injury]award damages to [person/company]sue [person/company] for damagesbe liable for damagespay [amount] in damages

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

reparation(s)redressremuneration

Neutral

compensationrecompenserestitutionindemnity

Weak

paymentsettlementaward

Vocabulary

Antonyms

waiverexemptionforgiveness (of debt)

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Insurance firms assess liability and potential damages payouts.

Academic

The paper examines the economic rationale for punitive damages in tort law.

Everyday

He's suing the council for damages after tripping on the pavement.

Technical

The plaintiff sought aggravated damages due to the defendant's conduct.

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

  • The storm badly damaged the roof.
  • Evidence that damages the defendant's case.

American English

  • The hurricane damaged several coastal towns.
  • Accusations that could damage his reputation.

adjective

British English

  • It was a damaging admission.
  • The report contained damaging allegations.

American English

  • The testimony was damaging to the prosecution's case.
  • He suffered a damaging loss.

Examples

By CEFR Level

A2
  • The company had to pay for the damages.
  • The car was damaged in the accident.
B1
  • They are claiming damages from their neighbour for the flooded kitchen.
  • The court will decide how much damages she should receive.
B2
  • The jury awarded the claimant substantial damages for loss of earnings and emotional distress.
  • The contract includes a clause limiting liability for consequential damages.
C1
  • The landmark case established that punitive damages could be awarded to deter egregious corporate misconduct.
  • The arbitrator assessed the damages by calculating the net present value of the lost future royalties.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of a judge's GAVEL coming down to award DAMAGES – the 'S' sounds like the cash register of compensation.

Conceptual Metaphor

JUSTICE IS A FINANCIAL TRANSACTION (wrongdoing creates a debt that is paid through damages).

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Do not confuse with 'ущерб' (damage/loss). 'Damages' is 'компенсация/возмещение ущерба'.
  • Avoid using a singular verb with the plural noun 'damages' (e.g., 'The damages *is' is wrong).
  • Do not translate 'moral damages' directly; in legal English, it's 'non-pecuniary damages' or 'damages for pain and suffering'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'damage' (singular) to mean monetary compensation (e.g., 'He received a large damage').
  • Using 'damages' as a singular countable noun (e.g., 'a damages').
  • Confusing 'damages' (noun) with 'damages' (verb) in sentence structure.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The customer decided to sue the manufacturer and seek for the faulty product that caused an injury.
Multiple Choice

In which of the following sentences is 'damages' used CORRECTLY?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Grammatically plural but treated as a mass/uncountable noun. We say 'The damages are high' (plural verb), but we do not say 'a damages' or 'three damages'. It refers to a singular sum of money.

'Damage' refers to physical harm or loss (e.g., fire damage). 'Damages' refers specifically to the financial compensation paid for that damage or loss (e.g., pay £5000 in damages).

Yes, but the verb is 'damage' (he damages, he damaged). The '-s' ending on 'damages' as a verb is just the third person singular present tense (e.g., 'Water damages wood'), not the plural noun.

Also called exemplary damages, they are awarded not just to compensate the victim, but to punish the defendant for outrageous conduct and deter similar future behaviour.

Collections

Part of a collection

Law and Regulation

C1 · 46 words · Legal language and regulatory frameworks.

Open collection →