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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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detonated up

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "detonated up" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not a standard expression and may confuse readers, as "detonated" typically refers to an explosion, while "up" does not logically follow in this context. Example: "The bomb detonated up in the air, causing a shockwave."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Militant groups from the North Caucasus are suspected of planning the attack in which a bomber detonated up to 7kg (15lb) of TNT.

News & Media

BBC

Astronomer Grant Christie -- who, according to Stuff saw the meteor while driving home from an observatory -- estimated that the meteor could have detonated up to 30 kilometers (18 miles) above Earth and traveled about "30 times the speed of a high velocity bullet".

News & Media

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Prosecutors said the three men — Irfan Naseer, 31, Irfan Khalid, 27, and Ashik Ali, 27, all British citizens from the industrial city of Birmingham — planned to detonate up to eight homemade bombs in rucksacks in crowded places, the method used by the four suicide bombers who killed 52 other people on London subway trains and buses in 2005.

News & Media

The New York Times

While many of the scientists who made atom bombs during the cold war became famous, the men who filmed what happened when those bombs were detonated made up a secret corps.

A nuclear explosion even when detonated underground sends up a giant electromagnetic pulse that ripples through Earth's ionosphere.

Science & Research

Science Magazine

The police theorized that Mr. and Mrs. Overell had been beaten to death, and that a bomb was detonated, blowing up the boat, to cover up the murder.

News & Media

Los Angeles Times

But while she was there, someone taped a small, plastic explosive device to her car, and detonated it, blowing up a large section of the back of the car.

A boom here or there as soldiers detonated duds, blew up UXO (unexploded ordnance).

News & Media

Huffington Post

A suicide bomber detonated a pick-up truck on Wednesday in the Sadr City suburb in the east of the capital, killing at least 15 people.

News & Media

Huffington Post

CHRISTMAS celebrations were wrecked for a second year running in Nigeria when a radical Islamist sect detonated bombs that killed up to 40 people and injured dozens more.

News & Media

The Economist

They remain on the battlefield, in some cases in urban areas, where they can easily be picked up and detonated by children.

News & Media

The Guardian
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "detonated up". Instead, opt for clearer and more grammatically correct alternatives such as "exploded" or "blew up" to describe the action of something detonating.

Common error

The word "detonated" already implies an explosive action; adding "up" is typically redundant and can create an awkward phrasing. Focus on describing where or how something detonated rather than adding "up".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "detonated up" functions as a verb phrase attempting to describe an explosive action. However, it is considered grammatically incorrect and its use is not recommended. Ludwig AI notes the phrase is not correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "detonated up" appears in a limited number of contexts, Ludwig AI analysis indicates it is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. It's more appropriate to use established alternatives such as "exploded" or "blew up". The phrase's limited and questionable usage results in a 'Rare' frequency rating. It is advisable to use standard English phrasing to ensure clarity and credibility in writing.

FAQs

What does "detonated up" mean?

The phrase "detonated up" is not standard English and is considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use alternatives like "exploded" or "blew up" to describe an explosion.

How to use "detonated" correctly in a sentence?

Use "detonated" followed by a location or a description of what happened, for example, "The bomb detonated in the city center" or "The device detonated with a loud bang."

What can I say instead of "detonated up"?

Instead of "detonated up", you can use alternatives like "exploded", "blew up", or "went off", depending on the context.

Is "detonated up" grammatically correct?

No, "detonated up" is not considered grammatically correct. The word "detonated" already implies an explosion or sudden release of energy, making "up" redundant.

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Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: