consumed by fire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "consumed by fire" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means that something was destroyed or burned completely by a fire. Example: The old barn was quickly consumed by fire, leaving nothing but ashes behind. In this sentence, "consumed by fire" is used to describe the process of the barn being destroyed by a fire.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Until very recently, brominated flame retardants, especially polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), were one of the main materials used to reduce the speed with which the plastic components of consumer goods including beds, couches, chairs, and electronics could be consumed by fire.

Environmental Health Perspectives

"The hallway was consumed by fire".

The New York Times

Later the tree, and a cake, are consumed by fire.

The Guardian - Arts

He warned that any government officials who moved against him would be consumed by fire.

The New York Times

The plane, consumed by fire from the crash, yielded little else in the wreckage, he said.

The New York Times

Instead, he was a man consumed by fire; but fire is what revolutions need.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Loeffler is given to pronouncements ("It was inspiring to see this man, now approaching 60, still caught in the sway of his ideals, still consumed by fires kindled in his own childhood that ever burned on behalf of justice and freedom"), and his detailed reconstruction of campfire disquisitions with Abbey seem to take a great deal of license.

The New York Times - Books

A regional chronosequence analysis over 30 years revealed that OLT and OLC increased with stand age (OLT: R2 = 0.68; OLC: R2 = 0.66), where an average of 16 cm OLT and 5.3 kg/m2 OLC were consumed by fires.

Geoderma

As you would expect from the descendant of New England Puritans, there is a deep consciousness here both of personal sin and original sin but salvation is seen in terms of personal annihilation as much as purgation "consumed by either fire or fire".

The Guardian - Opinion

The medical examiner and fire officials concluded that the child's remains had been consumed by the fire.

The New York Times

where A is the total area burned (ha); C a is the average C density of aboveground biomass (kg C m-2), assuming the C fraction of the aboveground biomass is about 0.50 [11]; β a is the fraction of aboveground biomass consumed during a fire; C g is the C density (kg C m-2) of ground layers exposed to a fire, and β g is the fraction of the organic layers consumed by the fire.

Carbon Balance and Management

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "consumed by fire" to vividly describe the complete destruction of something, whether literally or figuratively. It is appropriate when the fire's impact is central to the narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "consumed by fire" metaphorically when the context lacks a clear connection to the destructive nature of fire. Overuse can weaken the impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "consumed by fire" functions as a passive construction, describing a state of being acted upon by fire. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct. The numerous examples illustrate its descriptive and impactful usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Encyclopedias

18%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "consumed by fire" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to depict complete destruction by fire, whether literally or metaphorically. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and its prevalence in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts highlights its descriptive power. When writing, use it to vividly portray destruction, while being mindful of overusing it in contexts lacking a strong connection to fire's destructive essence. Consider alternatives like "engulfed in flames" or "razed to the ground" for variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

engulfed in flames

Replaces "consumed" with a more visually descriptive term emphasizing the flames surrounding the object.

destroyed by flames

Uses a more direct and common synonym for "consumed", focusing on the destruction aspect.

burned to ashes

Focuses on the end result of the fire, highlighting the transformation into ashes.

reduced to cinders

Similar to "burned to ashes", but specifies the end result as cinders.

razed to the ground

Emphasizes the complete destruction, suggesting nothing is left standing.

devastated by fire

Highlights the damaging and ruinous effects of the fire.

obliterated by fire

Suggests a complete and utter destruction, emphasizing the power of the fire.

taken by the flames

A more poetic or figurative way of saying something was destroyed by fire.

succumbed to fire

Implies a yielding or giving way to the destructive power of the fire.

lost to the blaze

Emphasizes the loss and the uncontrolled nature of the fire.

FAQs

What does "consumed by fire" mean?

The phrase "consumed by fire" means something has been completely destroyed or burned up by a fire, leaving little or nothing remaining.

How can I use "consumed by fire" in a sentence?

You can use "consumed by fire" to describe the destruction caused by a fire, as in "The building was quickly "engulfed in flames" and "razed to the ground"".

What are some alternatives to "consumed by fire"?

Some alternatives to "consumed by fire" include "destroyed by flames", "burned to ashes", or "obliterated by fire".

Is it appropriate to use "consumed by fire" metaphorically?

Yes, "consumed by fire" can be used metaphorically to describe being overwhelmed by a strong emotion or force, but ensure the context is appropriate and the connection to destruction is clear.