completely destroyed by fire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completely destroyed by fire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been entirely consumed or ruined as a result of a fire incident. Example: "The old warehouse was completely destroyed by fire, leaving nothing but ashes and debris."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The town was almost completely destroyed by fire in 1796.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On Sept. 11, our offices were completely destroyed by fire.

The New York Times

In April 2009 Rosenquist's house, office, and studio in Florida were completely destroyed by fire.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was closed by the Puritans between 1747 and 1749 and was completely destroyed by fire in 1772.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Completely destroyed by fire in the 15th century, it was rebuilt and became a cultural centre in the 16th century.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After being almost completely destroyed by fire in 1865, Karlstad was rebuilt along modern lines, with broad avenues and large parks.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

In 1887 it was almost entirely destroyed by fire.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Dr Paul Greatrix, the university registrar said the building had been "completely destroyed" by the fire.

The Guardian

When Betatronix was completely destroyed by a fire in the late 70s, he rebuilt it from scratch into a multi-million dollar company.

The New York Times

The historic pier was shut down for safety reasons in 2008 and was then almost completely destroyed by a fire in 2010.

The Guardian - Travel

Kristin Aquino and her family were initially unable to account for her father and her uncle, whose Paradise homes were completely destroyed by the fire.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "completely destroyed by fire" when you want to emphasize the totality of the destruction; if something is only partially damaged, use a more appropriate phrase like "partially damaged by fire".

Common error

While "completely destroyed by fire" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider rewriting the sentence in active voice, for instance: "The fire completely destroyed the building."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely destroyed by fire" functions as a passive construction describing the state of an object or structure after it has been subjected to a fire. According to Ludwig, the phrase is commonly used and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "completely destroyed by fire" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe total devastation caused by flames. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use across various contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in news reports, encyclopedias, and wiki articles, indicating its neutrality and broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the cause of destruction. If you're looking for alternatives, consider phrases like "totally consumed by fire" or "utterly devastated by fire" to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

totally consumed by fire

Replaces "completely destroyed" with "totally consumed", emphasizing the consuming nature of the fire.

utterly devastated by fire

Substitutes "completely destroyed" with "utterly devastated", highlighting the extent of the damage caused by the fire.

reduced to ashes by fire

Emphasizes the end result of the fire, where everything is turned into ashes.

incinerated beyond recognition

Focuses on the state of being unrecognizable due to the intensity of the fire.

razed to the ground by fire

Highlights the complete leveling of the structure due to the fire.

burned to the ground

A more concise way of saying something was completely destroyed by fire.

obliterated by flames

Uses "obliterated" to emphasize the thoroughness of the destruction caused by the flames.

consumed in a blaze

Emphasizes the blaze and the consumption of the object.

destroyed in a conflagration

Uses the word "conflagration" to denote a large destructive fire.

turned to ashes by the inferno

Uses the word "inferno" to denote a intense fire and expresses the end result of destruction.

FAQs

How can I use "completely destroyed by fire" in a sentence?

You can use "completely destroyed by fire" to describe a situation where something was utterly ruined by flames. For example, "The warehouse was "completely destroyed by fire", leaving nothing but ashes."

What are some alternatives to saying "completely destroyed by fire"?

You can use alternatives like "totally consumed by fire", "utterly devastated by fire", or "reduced to ashes by fire" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "almost completely destroyed by fire"?

Yes, "almost completely destroyed by fire" is correct if something was very severely damaged but not entirely ruined. It indicates a high degree of damage without total annihilation.

What is the difference between "destroyed by fire" and "completely destroyed by fire"?

"Destroyed by fire" implies that something was ruined or severely damaged by a fire. "Completely destroyed by fire" emphasizes the totality of the destruction, indicating that nothing remains usable or intact.