What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
vandalism
Example
The police arrested the teenagers for vandalism after they spray-painted graffiti on the side of the building. [vandalism: noun]
Example
The statue was a victim of vandalism when someone chipped away at its base. [vandalism: noun]
damage
Example
The storm caused severe damage to the roof of the house. [damage: noun]
Example
Be careful not to damage the vase when you move it. [damage: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Damage is more commonly used than vandalism in everyday language. Damage is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while vandalism is less common and often associated with illegal or criminal behavior.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between vandalism and damage?
While vandalism is typically associated with a negative and informal tone, damage is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
