enough to destroy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "enough to destroy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has sufficient power, capability, or intensity to cause destruction. Example: "The storm was fierce enough to destroy entire neighborhoods."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

("I drank enough to destroy three livers").

The New Yorker

For Keesha Goode, $34.97 in missing merchandise was enough to destroy her future in retailing.

The New York Times

A few shells are enough to destroy a millennial site forever.

The New York Times

Whatever the cause, the blaze was potent enough to destroy the interior.

The New York Times

That provision alone may be enough to destroy the chance of many such combinations.

The Economist

But something powerful enough to destroy hardy anthrax spores plays havoc with less hardy objects.

The New York Times

It's enough to destroy your faith in the human race in one viewing.

The Guardian - Music

That ruling was reversed on appeal but was enough to destroy the company.

The Guardian - Business

General Petraeus is fragile: a single indiscretion was enough to destroy his career.

The Guardian - Books

They were hard to detect and yet powerful enough to destroy an armored vehicle.

The New York Times - Magazine

Simply pointing the finger should never be enough to destroy the life of another.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "enough to destroy", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being destroyed and the scale or impact of the destruction. For example, specify if it's "enough to destroy a building" or "enough to destroy a reputation".

Common error

Avoid using "enough to destroy" when the outcome is merely damage or disruption. Reserve it for situations involving significant, irreversible harm or complete obliteration. For example, instead of "The criticism was enough to destroy the project", consider "The criticism severely hampered the project" if the project wasn't actually terminated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enough to destroy" functions as an infinitive phrase that modifies a preceding adjective or adverb, indicating the degree or extent to which something possesses the capability to cause destruction. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatically sound structure and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Wiki

11%

Formal & Business

7%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "enough to destroy" is a versatile and commonly used expression that signifies a sufficient level of force or capability to cause significant damage or obliteration. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely employed in diverse contexts, from news reports and scientific articles to encyclopedic entries. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication, although care should be taken to ensure that the intensity of the phrase aligns with the severity of the situation being described. Overstating the consequences can diminish the impact of your writing, so reserve "enough to destroy" for situations involving substantial, irreversible harm. When used appropriately, this phrase effectively conveys the magnitude of a destructive force or potential outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficient to demolish

Replaces "enough" with "sufficient" and "destroy" with "demolish", providing a more formal tone.

devastating enough to eradicate

Highlights the devastating impact leading to complete removal, a stronger connotation of destruction.

lethal enough to extinguish

Highlights the fatal capability to put an end to something, emphasizing the severity of the destruction.

capable of obliterating

Emphasizes the capacity to completely erase or eliminate something, stronger than simply destroying it.

formidable enough to eliminate

Suggests a powerful force capable of completely removing something, maintaining a formal tone.

potent enough to ruin

Uses "ruin" instead of "destroy", implying a less physical and more consequential form of damage.

sufficient to wreck

Replaces "destroy" with "wreck", suggesting severe damage or ruin, with a slightly less formal tone.

strong enough to shatter

Implies breaking something into pieces, suggesting a more immediate and forceful destruction.

adequate to dismantle

Indicates taking something apart piece by piece, a more methodical type of destruction.

able to decimate

Implies reducing something drastically, typically by a tenth, indicating a significant but not total destruction.

FAQs

How can I use "enough to destroy" in a sentence?

You can use "enough to destroy" to indicate that something has sufficient power, capability, or intensity to cause destruction. For example, "The bomb was powerful "enough to destroy" the building" or "The scandal was damaging "enough to destroy" his career".

What are some alternatives to "enough to destroy"?

Some alternatives include "sufficient to demolish", "capable of obliterating", or "potent enough to ruin", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "enough to destroy"?

No, it's crucial to ensure the context warrants the severity implied by "destroy". Use it when the outcome is truly destructive, causing significant or irreversible damage. If the impact is less severe, consider alternatives like "enough to damage" or "enough to disrupt".

What's the difference between "enough to destroy" and "sufficient to damage"?

"Enough to destroy" implies a complete or near-complete obliteration or ruin, while "sufficient to damage" suggests harm that might be repairable or less severe. The choice depends on the magnitude of the impact you wish to convey.