burn down

USAGE SUMMARY

"burn down" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to the destruction of a structure or a building through fire. For example, "The arsonist set fire to the house and it quickly burned down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Factories burn down.

Forbes

They burn down houses".

The New York Times

Will my locker burn down?

Stanford University

Let's just burn down whole communities?

The Guardian

We had a house burn down.

The New York Times

You didn't burn down an orphanage.

The New York Times - Magazine

But how often do homes burn down?

Yale University

To burn down Oxford would be sad.

The Washington Post

Another had his house burn down.

The New York Times

"Let's go burn down their neighbourhoods".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

His is a burn-down-the-house ethos.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "burn down" when referring to the complete destruction of a structure or object by fire. For example, "The old warehouse burned down completely."

Common error

While sometimes used figuratively to describe the end of something, avoid using "burn down" for situations that don't involve literal fire or destruction. Opt for phrases like "fall apart" or "collapse" for non-fire related scenarios.

Linguistic Context

"Burn down" functions primarily as a phrasal verb. It describes the action of something being completely destroyed by fire. As shown in the Ludwig examples, this can refer to buildings, forests, or even metaphorical concepts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "burn down" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the complete destruction of something by fire. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and examples showcase its prevalence across diverse sources like news outlets, academic papers, and wikis. While generally used in a literal sense, it can occasionally carry metaphorical weight. Be mindful of context and ensure you’re accurately conveying a sense of fiery, total destruction. Common alternative are "destroy by fire", "raze to the ground", or "incinerate".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

destroy by fire

Focuses on the method of destruction, specifying fire as the cause.

raze to the ground

Implies complete demolition, leaving nothing standing.

consume by flames

Emphasizes the visual aspect of fire engulfing and destroying something.

incinerate

Refers to burning something completely to ashes.

set ablaze

Highlights the act of igniting something.

reduce to ashes

Similar to incinerate, focusing on the end result of burning.

go up in flames

Describes the event of something catching fire and being destroyed.

be engulfed in fire

Stresses the intensity and encompassing nature of the fire.

demolish by fire

Explicitly states that fire is the means of demolition.

obliterate with fire

Suggests complete and thorough destruction using fire.

FAQs

How is "burn down" used in a sentence?

"Burn down" is a phrasal verb indicating the complete destruction of something by fire. For instance, "The abandoned building "burned down" overnight".

What are some alternatives to "burn down"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "destroy by fire", "raze to the ground", or "incinerate" as alternatives to "burn down".

Is it correct to say "burned down" or "burnt down"?

Both "burned down" and "burnt down" are correct, with "burned down" being more common in American English and "burnt down" in British English. They both serve as the past tense and past participle of "burn down".

Can "burn down" be used metaphorically?

While primarily literal, "burn down" can be used metaphorically to describe the complete and utter failure or destruction of something, though this usage is less common. It is generally best to use it literally to describe something consumed by fire.