be consumed by fire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be consumed by fire" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts discussing destruction, sacrifice, or purification through fire. Example: "The old building was left to be consumed by fire during the raging inferno." Alternative expressions include "be engulfed in flames" and "be destroyed by fire."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Until very recently, brominated flame retardants, especially polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), were one of the main materials used to reduce the speed with which the plastic components of consumer goods including beds, couches, chairs, and electronics could be consumed by fire.

Environmental Health Perspectives

He warned that any government officials who moved against him would be consumed by fire.

The New York Times

He has warned that any government officials who move against him will be consumed by fire.

The New York Times

Why didn't God save Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron who tried to serve with fire only to be consumed by fire?

The New York Times - Books

One would hope so, but it's not a business for overly retiring types, not ideal for one who reviewed his life's work and concluded that the bulk of it ought to be consumed by fire.

The Guardian - Books

The Right Club existed; so did the spymasters and agents that inspired some of Ms Wilson's characters.Two books set in cities at war, two in cities yet to be consumed by fire.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"The hallway was consumed by fire".

The New York Times

Later the tree, and a cake, are consumed by fire.

The Guardian - Arts

Zeus struck the Titans with lightning, and they were consumed by fire.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The house was consumed by fire from the front to the back on both floors, fire officials said.

The New York Times

In most fires, much more is killed, injured, or changed through heat than is consumed by fire.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the passive voice used here to shift focus to the victim or the object being destroyed rather than the source of the fire itself.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase when describing emotions like anger or passion unless you intend to use a very heavy literary metaphor. For emotional intensity, it is better to say someone was "consumed by rage" without the "by fire" suffix, as adding the fire element can make the sentence confusingly literal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be consumed by fire" functions as a passive verbal construction where the subject undergoes an action. According to Ludwig, this structure highlights the totality of the destruction. It consists of the auxiliary verb "to be", the past participle "consumed" and the prepositional phrase "by fire" identifying the agent.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academic

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "be consumed by fire" is a robust and grammatically correct phrase that effectively communicates total destruction. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across prestigious journalistic, literary and scientific sources. While it essentially means that something burned, the choice of the word "consumed" adds a layer of intensity and personification to the fire, suggesting a process that is thorough and unstoppable. Writers should use this phrase when they need to elevate the tone of their description or emphasize the absolute loss of the subject in question.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be engulfed in flames

Emphasizes the visual aspect of the fire surrounding the object.

be devoured by fire

Increases the personification of fire as a hungry entity.

be reduced to ashes

Focuses on the state of the object after the fire has finished.

be burned to the ground

Specifically used for buildings or structures that are totally destroyed.

be incinerated

More clinical or scientific term for total destruction by heat.

be razed by fire

Formal term suggesting the fire leveled the entire area.

go up in smoke

Idiomatic and often used for sudden destruction or metaphorical failure.

be gutted by fire

Describes a building where the interior is destroyed but the shell might remain.

perish in the flames

Usually applied to living beings or sentient entities.

be scorched

Implies surface damage rather than total consumption.

FAQs

How to use "be consumed by fire" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe physical destruction, such as "The ancient library was left to "be consumed by fire" during the siege".

What is the difference between "be consumed by fire" and "be burned down"?

While both imply destruction, "be burned down" is typically restricted to buildings, whereas "be consumed by fire" can apply to objects, forests or even abstract concepts like a person's life work.

Can I say "consumed with fire" instead?

While "consumed with" is often used for emotions (e.g., "consumed with guilt"), the preposition "by" is the standard and more frequent choice when referring to the external agent of fire.

What can I say instead of "be consumed by fire" for a scientific report?

In a scientific or technical context, you might prefer terms like "be incinerated" or "undergo thermal decomposition".