demolishing

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'demolishing' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb that means to tear down or destroy a building or structure, usually with the help of machinery or explosives. Example: The old factory was scheduled for demolishing to make way for a new shopping complex. In this sentence, 'demolishing' is used to describe the action of tearing down the old factory.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

'You hear the phrase "social cleansing" being used – and that's exactly what this is' Now, they are talking about demolishing this estate and building a 25-storey tower, all private apartments, with 120 low-rise "affordable housing" units around it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Presumably this could mean any one of the following: stealing her friend's husband because she wants him; being photographed by the paparazzi in a naked sex clinch; demolishing her colleagues with personal slights in the boardroom; and working out where to place genocide on her grossly wonky scale of human ruthlessness.

The Guardian

Federal cabinet will consider on Monday night a substantial contribution to the estimated $1bn cost of buying and demolishing up to 1,000 Canberra homes that had loose-fill asbestos insulation pumped into their ceilings in the 1960s and 70s.

The Guardian

Prediction Bayern to go through This will be a very different tie to the one that Juventus enjoyed in the last round, when they allowed Borussia Dortmund to attack them before demolishing them on the counter.

The Guardian - Sport

The theme of season three is reform, and a clear line is drawn between band-aid attempts to make it look like something is being done about the problem (for example demolishing the housing projects) and radical policies that might actually make a difference (such as Hamsterdam).

The Guardian

They said they were demolishing it but it's still there.

The Guardian

The city's planning staff, who recommended demolishing the "out-of-character" block five years ago, said that the new use should enhance the area around Sheffield's town hall and winter gardens.

The Guardian

Gerlinde Gniewosz of the Save Cressingham Gardens campaign spoke of the fight to stop Lambeth council from demolishing the south London housing estate.

The Guardian

Yet every new developer who moves in, tears something down, and builds something new runs the risk of demolishing a bit of what made the neighbourhood attractive.

The Economist

Since late January, Egyptian army engineers have flooded the warren of tunnels with sewage, demolishing dozens of them.

The Economist

The publication of this green paper, unusually late in a parliament, has been timed to leave politically sensitive decisions until after an election.In this section Suffer the little children Demolishing the dumps Get the council The problems stack up Stop digging What ails the Tories?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "demolishing", ensure the context clearly indicates that something is being completely destroyed or taken apart, especially in relation to buildings or structures.

Common error

Avoid using "demolishing" when referring to abstract concepts or arguments. Opt for words like "refuting" or "debunking" instead to maintain clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

"Demolishing" functions primarily as a verb, specifically the present participle of 'demolish'. It describes an ongoing action of destroying or tearing down a structure. As Ludwig highlights, it's a common term used in various contexts to denote this act of destruction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "demolishing" is a verb used to describe the act of tearing down or destroying a structure. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, as confirmed by the provided examples. Its usage is prevalent in news and media, as well as formal business contexts. While generally used to refer to physically tearing down buildings, it can also be employed figuratively to describe the destruction of arguments or ideas. Understanding the contexts and nuances of "demolishing" ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tearing down

Focuses on the action of pulling something apart, often piece by piece, representing a less forceful approach.

knocking down

Highlights the act of causing something to fall or collapse, often implying a sudden and forceful impact.

razing to the ground

Emphasizes the complete destruction of something, leaving nothing standing.

leveling

Focuses on making something flat or even, often used in the context of buildings or structures.

wrecking

Implies a more chaotic and destructive process, suggesting damage beyond simple demolition.

dismantling

Refers to the process of carefully taking something apart, often with the intention of reassembling it elsewhere.

taking down

A more general term for removing something, which can be used in contexts beyond physical destruction.

imploding

Implies a method of demolition where a structure collapses inward, often using explosives.

obliterating

Suggests the complete removal of something, to the point where no trace remains.

annihilating

Implies total destruction, often used in more figurative or dramatic contexts.

FAQs

How is "demolishing" typically used in a sentence?

"Demolishing" is used as a verb, often in the present participle form, to describe the act of tearing down or destroying something, especially buildings or structures. For example, "The company is "demolishing" the old warehouse to build a new office complex".

What are some alternatives to using "demolishing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "tearing down", "knocking down", or "razing to the ground" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to use "demolishing" in a figurative sense?

While "demolishing" primarily refers to physical destruction, it can be used figuratively to describe the act of completely destroying an argument or idea. However, ensure the context makes this figurative usage clear to avoid confusion.

What is the difference between "demolishing" and "dismantling"?

"Demolishing" implies complete destruction and removal, while "dismantling" suggests taking something apart carefully, often with the intention of reassembling it or salvaging parts.