SpeakUp

Grammar fix

seriously damaged

badly harmed

Harmed to a great extent; something is in very bad condition because of an accident, disaster, or other negative event.

collocationB1common

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • The building was seriously damaged by the fire.daily life
  • In my opinion, if a historical monument is seriously damaged, the government should invest in its restoration to preserve cultural heritage.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: seriously damaged + noun / be seriously damaged

WrongThe car was serious damaged.

RightThe car was seriously damaged.

Adverb 'seriously', not 'serious'.

Patternseriously damaged + noun / be seriously damaged

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff The structure was extensively impaired by the fire.

Natural The building was seriously damaged in the fire.

Natural; 'extensively impaired' is loss-adjuster language.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • seriously damaged
    in the firebadlybeyond repairproperty

Don't confuse it

'Slightly damaged' means only a little harm; 'seriously damaged' means a lot of harm.

Try it in Daily Speak →