burned

USAGE SUMMARY

"burned" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an irregular verb form of "burn" and can be used as either an adjective or a verb. For example: "The house was burned to the ground in the fire." (verb) "The burned remains of the house were all that was left." (adjective).

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Determining where this capital is spent needs to be an important issue for investors, otherwise there is going to be a lot of capital wasted in coming years on developing fossil fuel reserves that cannot be burned".

The Guardian

Far more fossil fuels – about 2650GT – are held by state-owned companies, meaning that in total there are four to five times more fossil fuels in existing reserves than can be safely burned.

The Guardian

Having frantically tried to dig his way out of a barn where hundreds were being burned to death, a man's body lies wedged under a wall where he was shot by German troops.

The Guardian - Film

A Sunni village near the frontline was deserted, doors and windows smashed and many houses burned, the walls scribbled with pro-army slogans.

The Guardian

In 2012, the Knights Templar cartel in neighboring Michoacan state burned five warehouses and dozens of vehicles owned by Sabritas snack company, a Mexican subsidiary of PespsiCo.

The Guardian

He would use me for pleasure while hate burned in my heart," she told rights activists after running away.

The Guardian

Across the country protesters burned French flags and demanded an international law banning blasphemy against Islam.

The Guardian

Abdulmumini was 13 when her husband, Ibrahim, burned to death in their marital home.

The Guardian

Adani's Carmichael mine and GVK's Alpha and Kevin's Corner mines would release about 250m tonnes of CO2 every year for 30 years once the coal is burned, according to conservation groups.

The Guardian - Opinion

"When we started PFM," says Andrea Mbwambo, assistant forest officer, "some of our patrol were injured with pangas (local axes), some had their houses burned, and I was beaten by those who were harvesting in the forest".

The Guardian

That same weekend, in the Barbes neighbourhood of the capital, stone-throwing protesters burned Israeli flags: "Israhell", read one banner.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the state of something after a fire, "burned" accurately conveys that an object or area has been affected by flames. Use it to describe the aftermath of events like wildfires, arson, or accidents involving fire.

Common error

While both "burned" and "burnt" are past tense and past participle forms of "burn", stick to "burned" in American English. "Burnt" is more common in British English. Consistency is key for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "burned" is as the past tense and past participle of the verb "burn". As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it describes an action that has already occurred, often involving fire or heat. Examples show its use in both literal and figurative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis reveals that "burned" functions primarily as the past tense and past participle of the verb "burn", frequently used to describe a state or action involving fire. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in both literal and figurative contexts. Predominantly found in neutral registers such as News & Media, "burned" effectively conveys actions involving combustion, heat, or figurative meanings. With a high expert rating and ample examples from authoritative sources like The Guardian, understanding the nuances of "burned" enhances clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incinerated

Implies complete destruction by burning, suggesting a more thorough process than just "burned".

ablaze

Adjective describing something on fire, differing by emphasizing state of being consumed by flames.

torched

Suggests deliberate burning, unlike "burned" which can be accidental.

charred

Describes something partially burned, differing in suggesting surface-level burning.

on fire

A more general term for something actively burning, whereas "burned" implies a past action or state.

scorched

Indicates a slight burn, unlike "burned" which can imply more complete combustion.

consumed by fire

A longer phrase emphasizing the destructive aspect of fire, whereas "burned" is more direct.

cremated

Refers specifically to the burning of a body, a specialized context not always relevant to "burned".

gutted by flames

Specifically describes the interior destruction by fire, a context not always implied by "burned".

reduced to ashes

Emphasizes the final state of complete combustion, whereas "burned" describes the action itself.

FAQs

How is "burned" used in a sentence?

"Burned" is the past tense and past participle of "burn". For example, "The toast was "burned"" or "The "burned" remains were all that was left".

What are some synonyms for "burned"?

Alternatives include "charred", "scorched", "incinerated", or "ablaze" depending on the specific context.

Is "burned" or "burnt" correct?

Both "burned" and "burnt" are valid, but "burned" is generally preferred in American English. "Burnt" is more common in British English.

What does it mean to say someone has been "burned" in a deal?

In a figurative sense, to be "burned" means to be cheated or taken advantage of. For example, "I was "burned" in that business deal" means you lost money or were deceived.