already been destroyed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "already been destroyed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been destroyed prior to the current moment or context being discussed. Example: "The ancient ruins have already been destroyed by natural disasters over the centuries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some may have already been destroyed.

The New York Times

David Cameron's letter will have already been destroyed.

The Guardian

More than one half of tropical forests have already been destroyed.

University of California, Berkeley

"Meaningful dialogue has already been destroyed," wrote PVShelly, of Verplanck, N.Y.

The New York Times - Magazine

One of the government's tractors had already been destroyed by a hidden bomb, he said.

The New York Times

"A number of the park's geysers and hot springs have already been destroyed," she wrote.

The New York Times

"When we were forced to leave Aleppo it had already been destroyed completely.

The Guardian

The ballots have already been destroyed, as allowed by Peruvian law.

The New York Times

The embryos which gave rise to them had already been destroyed.

The Guardian

Some of the wooden shacks housing children have already been destroyed.

The Guardian

Much of the famed city, the largest in Syria, has already been destroyed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "already been destroyed" to emphasize that the destruction happened before the current point of reference, adding a sense of finality or irreversibility to the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "already been destroyed" when the destruction is ongoing or has not yet occurred. Ensure the action is completed before using this phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "already been destroyed" functions as a past participle phrase, indicating a state or condition resulting from a prior action. As Ludwig AI notes, this is a grammatically sound and widely used construction. It is used to describe something that has undergone a process of destruction, emphasizing its completed state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "already been destroyed" is a grammatically correct and frequently used past participle phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability across various contexts. It serves to describe a completed state of destruction, emphasizing that something is no longer in its original form due to prior destructive actions. While its register is mostly neutral, it's commonly found in news reports, academic papers, and general discussions. When using this phrase, ensure that the action of destruction is indeed completed and that the timing aligns with the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has already been wrecked

Uses a different verb ("wrecked") to convey destruction, implying severe damage or ruin.

has already been demolished

Replaces "destroyed" with "demolished", suggesting complete removal or dismantling of something.

has already been ruined

Uses "ruined" instead of "destroyed", indicating that something is spoiled or no longer functional.

had already been devastated

Employs "devastated" to emphasize the extent of the destruction and its emotional impact.

was already annihilated

Substitutes "destroyed" with "annihilated", suggesting total destruction or obliteration.

had already been eliminated

Replaces "destroyed" with "eliminated", implying removal or eradication.

was already eradicated

Employs "eradicated" to suggest complete removal or elimination, especially of something undesirable.

has previously been terminated

Uses "terminated" instead of "destroyed", often used in more formal contexts to indicate an end or cessation.

had been completely dismantled

Replaces "destroyed" with "dismantled", suggesting that something was taken apart piece by piece.

was previously rendered unusable

Uses a more descriptive phrase to explain that something can no longer be used because it was destroyed.

FAQs

How can I use "already been destroyed" in a sentence?

You can use "already been destroyed" to describe something that was destroyed before a specific time. For example, "The evidence had "already been destroyed" when the police arrived".

What phrases are similar to "already been destroyed"?

Similar phrases include "previously destroyed", "completely ruined", or "utterly demolished". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "has already been destroyed" or "had already been destroyed"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they indicate different tenses. "Has already been destroyed" implies present perfect tense, while "had already been destroyed" implies past perfect tense. Choose the tense that matches the timeline of your narrative.

What's the difference between "already been destroyed" and "is being destroyed"?

"Already been destroyed" indicates a completed action, while "is being destroyed" suggests an action that is currently in progress. The first describes a past event, and the second describes a current event.