burned to the ground

USAGE SUMMARY

"burned to the ground" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a situation where something (usually a building or structure) has been completely destroyed by fire. For example: "The old town hall was burned to the ground in the fire last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Two buildings had burned to the ground.

The New Yorker

Millions of dollars burned to the ground.

The New York Times

Several buildings burned to the ground.

The New Yorker

The house burned to the ground.

The New York Times

A Kmart burned to the ground.

The Washington Post

Every hut was burned to the ground.

The Washington Post

"Kuwait was burned to the ground.

The Guardian - Music

And now it's burned to the ground".

The New Yorker

The headquarters was burned to the ground.

The Guardian

Four years later, the penal colony burned to the ground.

The New York Times

Many black-owned businesses burned to the ground.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "burned to the ground" when you want to emphasize the completeness of destruction by fire, leaving nothing but ashes or ruins.

Common error

Avoid using "burned to the ground" figuratively unless you want to create a very strong, dramatic effect of complete and utter destruction. Overusing it can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "burned to the ground" functions as a descriptive phrase, often used as a predicate adjective. It modifies a noun, indicating the state of being completely destroyed by fire. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a common expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "burned to the ground" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the complete destruction of something by fire. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. Predominantly found in news and media, it effectively conveys the totality of destruction, leaving no ambiguity about the object's fate. While alternatives like "razed to the ground" or "reduced to ashes" exist, "burned to the ground" specifically emphasizes the role of fire in the complete annihilation of a structure or object. It's best practice to reserve this phrase for situations where the destruction is truly total, avoiding overuse to maintain its dramatic impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

razed to the ground

Implies complete destruction, often including the leveling of a structure; broader than just fire.

reduced to ashes

Focuses on the final state of being completely consumed by fire, emphasizing residue.

destroyed by fire

A general term indicating that fire was the cause of destruction, but not necessarily complete.

consumed by flames

Emphasizes the action of the fire engulfing and destroying something.

obliterated by fire

Highlights the completeness of the destruction caused by fire, with a sense of finality.

incinerated

A more technical term for burning something completely to ashes.

torched

Informal term for setting something on fire, implying intentional destruction.

set ablaze

Describes the act of igniting something, often with destructive intent.

gutted by fire

Refers to the interior being destroyed by fire, possibly leaving the structure standing.

went up in flames

Idiomatic expression describing something being destroyed quickly and dramatically by fire.

FAQs

How can I use "burned to the ground" in a sentence?

You can use "burned to the ground" to describe the complete destruction of a structure by fire. For example: "The old warehouse was "burned to the ground" after the explosion."

What can I say instead of "burned to the ground"?

Alternatives include "razed to the ground", "reduced to ashes", or "destroyed by fire", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "burnt to the ground" instead of "burned to the ground"?

While "burnt" is a valid past participle of "burn", "burned" is more common in American English. Both are grammatically acceptable, but "burned" is generally preferred in formal writing.

What is the difference between "burned to the ground" and "damaged by fire"?

"Burned to the ground" implies complete destruction, whereas "damaged by fire" suggests that the structure is still standing, even if it sustained significant harm.