engulfed in flames

USAGE SUMMARY

'engulfed in flames' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is completely surrounded by fire. For example, "The building was quickly engulfed in flames as the fire spread throughout the structure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But engulfed in flames.

The Guardian - Sport

It was engulfed in flames.

The Guardian - Film

Both are engulfed in flames.

The New York Times

Five cars were engulfed in flames.

The New York Times

Several buildings nearby were engulfed in flames.

The Guardian

The image was that of a castle engulfed in flames.

The New York Times

Soon, the entire car was engulfed in flames.

The New York Times

His two-story wood-frame home was engulfed in flames.

The New Yorker

I found the building completely engulfed in flames.

The Guardian

Seventeen years ago the track was engulfed in flames.

The New York Times - Sports

Engulfed in flames, it shattered on the rotunda.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "engulfed in flames" to vividly depict situations where something is entirely surrounded and consumed by fire, emphasizing the intensity and destructive nature of the fire.

Common error

Avoid using "engulfed in flames" to describe situations that don't involve actual fire. Overusing it metaphorically can diminish its impact when you need to describe a real fire.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "engulfed in flames" functions as a descriptive modifier, vividly portraying the state of an object or scene that is completely surrounded and consumed by fire. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "engulfed in flames" is a powerful descriptor used to depict something completely surrounded by fire. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in English. It's most commonly found in news and media, as well as wiki sources, conveying scenes of intense destruction. Related phrases include "consumed by fire" and "ablaze". While it can be used metaphorically, it's most effective when describing literal fires. Overall, it's a vivid and frequently used phrase for emphasizing the severity of a fire-related event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consumed by fire

Replaces "engulfed" with "consumed", emphasizing the destructive aspect of the fire.

ablaze

A shorter, more direct adjective meaning "on fire".

burning fiercely

Focuses on the intensity of the fire.

completely on fire

A more descriptive and literal alternative.

surrounded by flames

Highlights the encompassing nature of the fire.

wreathed in fire

Uses a more poetic term, "wreathed", to suggest being encircled.

a raging inferno

Describes the situation as an uncontrolled and intensely hot fire.

lost to the flames

Emphasizes the destruction and loss caused by the fire.

in a conflagration

Uses the more formal word "conflagration" to describe a large fire.

victim of arson

Implies that the flames came as a result of arson

FAQs

How can I use "engulfed in flames" in a sentence?

The phrase "engulfed in flames" is typically used to describe a scene where something is completely surrounded by fire. For instance, "The building was "completely engulfed" in flames before the firefighters arrived".

What are some synonyms for "engulfed in flames"?

Alternatives include "consumed by fire", "ablaze", or "burning fiercely". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "engulfed by flames" instead of "engulfed in flames"?

While "engulfed by flames" might be understood, "engulfed in flames" is the more common and accepted phrasing.

Can "engulfed in flames" be used metaphorically?

While primarily used to describe literal fires, "engulfed in flames" can be used metaphorically to describe situations of intense chaos or destruction, though this usage should be approached with caution to avoid hyperbole.