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was damaged vs were damaged

"Was damaged" and "were damaged" cannot be directly compared—each phrase would be used in a distinct context. "Was damaged" is used with singular subjects, while "were damaged" is used with plural subjects. Therefore, the correct choice depends on the subject of the sentence.
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Explained by Gregg
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: September 07, 2024

was damaged

This phrase is correct when used with singular subjects.

Use "was damaged" when referring to a singular subject that has been harmed or impaired.

Examples:

  • The car was damaged in the accident.
  • The painting was damaged by water.
  • My phone was damaged when it fell.
  • The computer was damaged beyond repair.
  • The house was damaged during the storm.
  • That Biokernel was damaged, but it wasn't dead.
  • Unfortunately, even though the tumor removal was successful, the underlying tissue was damaged.
  • But unfortunately, the cylinder containing the message was damaged.
  • But the switch became inoperable when S-11 was damaged.
  • The file was damaged during download.
  • The earwig was damaged in the fall.
  • Yes. He said it was damaged.
  • The hardware in between here and there was damaged.
  • Or was damaged as we try to take off.
  • It was damaged but, Janek fixed it all.
  • The reactor was damaged, but containment held... for now.
  • The original was damaged by shelling during the Great War.
  • Disk 13, it was damaged.
  • The tracking implant was damaged when S-11 ripped off its control plate.
  • Her entire anterior talofibular ligament was damaged beyond repair or recovery.
  • Amanda's heart was damaged beyond repair.
  • You see... his transponder was damaged, so he had to remove it.
  • It was, but a few large pieces of rock impacted the City, and one control array was damaged.
  • His eardrum was damaged when our village was bombed.
  • The nerve that was damaged regulates toxin removal functions.

Alternatives:

  • got damaged
  • sustained damage
  • was harmed

were damaged

This phrase is correct when used with plural subjects.

Use "were damaged" when referring to plural subjects that have been harmed or impaired.

Examples:

  • The cars were damaged in the accident.
  • The books were damaged by the flood.
  • Our phones were damaged in the fall.
  • The computers were damaged beyond repair.
  • The houses were damaged during the storm.
  • Several houses were damaged in the last storm.
  • In total, over a thousand houses were damaged, and the destruction of factories and business premises meant that many people lost their livelihoods.
  • Restaurant sign and awning were damaged.
  • Her windpipe was bruised, Even her lungs were damaged from the beating she took.
  • Long-drawn-out appeal proceedings were heard; with the result that institutions were weakened and people were damaged.
  • During the unrest in France last year, many vehicles and buses were damaged or completely destroyed.
  • Which EU-funded infrastructures were damaged by hostile activities in an ongoing military conflict (including preventive strikes, police actions carried out by military means, insurgent groups, civil war parties or similar) in 2008/2009? 2.
  • The parts shall be available for free during the guarantee period if the goods are found to be faulty during normal use or at a proportionate cost if the goods were damaged by misuse.
  • Most videotapes from that era were damaged in 2443...
  • If key sensor programs were damaged or deleted, data banks would be compromised.
  • But I need to be sure no organs were damaged.
  • If I were damaged or destroyed, I would be lost for ever.
  • If he fell somewhere if his communicator were damaged...
  • The blades were damaged, So the machine was too inefficient to blend the juice.
  • The EU would oppose the project if Lithuania's energy and ecological interests were damaged.
  • But I need to be sure no organs were damaged.
  • Many other buildings were damaged, including the Church of the Holy Trinity.
  • Your son's organs were damaged too severely.
  • Sir, some cameras were damaged in the bombings, but we confirmed it's her.
  • It would be a shame if your ship were damaged due to some misunderstanding.

Alternatives:

  • got damaged
  • sustained damage
  • were harmed

Related Comparisons

on the invoice were damaged vs of invoice was damaged got damaged vs was damaged houses were got damaged vs houses were gotten damaged coordinate vs co-ordinate are barely damaged vs is barely damaged are barely damaged vs are barely damage

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