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Prepositions after verbs

Damage to vs. damage by

Use damage to for the thing affected. Use damage by when naming the cause in a passive-style noun phrase.

Quick answer

Which form is correct?

Damage to refers to harm affecting something: damage to the roof. Damage by names the cause of harm, usually after a noun: damage by floods. After the verb damage, English normally uses a direct object without a preposition.

The storm caused damage to the bridge.
Insurance covered damage by fire.
The chemicals damaged the pipes.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
damage to + thing

Showing what is harmed

Use damage to before the affected object.

Workers repaired damage to the road.
The report described damage to nearby farms.
2
damage by + cause

Naming the source of harm

Use damage by when the cause follows the noun damage.

The museum closed after damage by smoke.
The policy excludes damage by insects.
3
damage + object

Using damage as a verb

The verb damage normally takes a direct object.

Heavy rain damaged the ceiling.
The crash damaged two cars.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
damage to
There was damage to the engine.
The engine was harmed.
damage by
The survey measured damage by salt water.
Salt water caused the harm.
damage + object
The fire damaged the warehouse.
Verb pattern with a direct object.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Adding a preposition after the verb damage

The verb damage usually takes a direct object without to.

✕ The storm damaged to the roof. ✓ The storm damaged the roof.

Using by for the affected thing

Use to for the thing harmed, not by.

✕ There was damage by the windows. ✓ There was damage to the windows.

Confusing cause and result

By introduces the cause of the damage.

✕ Damage by the bridge was severe. ✓ Damage to the bridge was severe.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The earthquake caused ___ several buildings.
2. The policy covers damage ___ flooding.
3. The explosion ___ the doors.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I say damage on something?

Damage on is uncommon in this meaning. Standard English uses damage to for the affected thing.

Is damage by common after the verb damage?

No. Damage by usually appears after the noun damage, not directly after the verb.

What is the difference between damaged and damage to?

Damaged is a verb or adjective, while damage to is a noun phrase naming harm to something.

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