burn to ashes

USAGE SUMMARY

"burn to ashes" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase that means to completely destroy something, usually by burning. Example sentence: The old papers were disposed of by the council, who chose to burn them to ashes.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I saw my wedding sari burn to ashes".

The New York Times

Remember back in September when that 120m long model of London was set on fire to unsatisfyingly burn to ashes to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London?

The Guardian

The hard-right Republicans in the House aren't interested in sitting at a long table with pencils and budget books; they want to set that table on fire, and burn to ashes all the compromises that long defined the two-party system.

The New York Times

Humans grow only to burn to ashes; they are not exempt from the cosmic law (1 318.17 18).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Doth mickle England want for righteous men/ As desert towns that God did burn to ash?" (Act I, scene 4 ..

The Guardian - Books

When this failed, he lit the slips of paper on fire and watched them burn to ash, also to no avail.

The New Yorker

The room is full of Western history's favorite ancient figures, at times variously identified, drawing on the floor, fondling globes, or penning the texts which would later burn to ash in the fire that consumed the Library of Alexandria.

The New Yorker

"I jumped to save my body, because if I stayed inside the factory I would burn to ash, and my family wouldn't be able to identify my body". When she landed, she broke her foot and arm.

The New Yorker

"I jumped to save my body, because if I stayed inside the factory I would burn to ash, and my family wouldn't be able to identify my body".

The New Yorker

"Houses in these villages burn to ash in 20-30 minutes.

Huffington Post

Tar oozes into the frame, mold grows in a time lapse, or a series of photos burn to ash, repeatedly.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "burn to ashes" to describe the complete destruction of something by fire, often with a sense of finality or devastation.

Common error

Avoid using "burn to ashes" when describing situations where something is damaged but not entirely destroyed. Opt for terms like "scorched" or "charred" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "burn to ashes" functions as a verb phrase that describes a process resulting in complete destruction by fire. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability. It typically acts as a predicate, detailing what happened to a subject.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "burn to ashes" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes complete destruction by fire. Ludwig AI highlights its aptness in written English. While its frequency is uncommon, it's found primarily in News & Media and Scientific contexts. Related phrases include "reduced to ashes" and "incinerated", offering nuanced alternatives. When using the phrase, ensure the context aligns with complete destruction to avoid misapplication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduced to ashes

Changes the verb from "burn" to "reduce", focusing on the resulting state.

turned to ash

Similar meaning, but emphasizes the transformation process.

cremated

Specifically refers to the burning of a body to ashes.

incinerated

Implies a more controlled and complete burning process.

consumed by fire

Highlights the destructive power of fire as the agent.

destroyed by fire

A more general way to describe destruction involving fire.

burned to the ground

Focuses on the complete destruction of a structure by fire.

razed to the ground

Indicates complete destruction, not necessarily by fire.

obliterated

Indicates complete removal or destruction, irrespective of the method.

vanished in smoke

Figurative language emphasizing disappearance with a trace.

FAQs

How can I use "burn to ashes" in a sentence?

You can use "burn to ashes" to describe something completely destroyed by fire. For example, "The wildfire caused the forest to "burn to ashes"."

What is an alternative to "burn to ashes"?

Alternatives include "reduced to ashes", "incinerated", or "consumed by fire". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "burned to ashes" or "burnt to ashes" more correct?

Both "burned to ashes" and "burnt to ashes" are grammatically acceptable, but "burned" is more common in American English, while "burnt" is more common in British English.

What's the difference between "burn to ashes" and "destroy"?

"Destroy" is a general term for causing irreparable damage, while "burn to ashes" specifically refers to destruction by fire, emphasizing the transformation into ash.