had wiped out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had wiped out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been completely eliminated or destroyed in the past, often in a narrative or descriptive context. Example: "The flood had wiped out entire neighborhoods, leaving families homeless and in despair."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Hitler had wiped out one-third of the Jewish people.

The Economist

The storm had wiped out about 125 desks.

The New York Times

Inflation had wiped out the value of both loans and deposits.

The Economist

The Pakistani government said yesterday that Saturday's deadly earthquake had wiped out a generation.

Independent

His unsuccessful defense was that he had a medical condition that had wiped out his memory.

The New York Times

During a teleconference, Martínez said an overflowing river had wiped out an entire community.

The New York Times

By late afternoon, the rally had wiped out all the morning losses.

The New York Times - Health

A poll by Latino Decisions found that the announcement had wiped out an earlier enthusiasm deficit.

The Guardian

By the 1980's, the fungus had wiped out 77 million American elms.

The New York Times

From everyone's mood, you might have imagined that Davis had wiped out and shattered both his legs.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

President Baldwin Lonsdale said the "monster" Cyclone Pam had wiped out most buildings in the capital Port Vila, including schools and clinics.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had wiped out" to vividly describe situations where something has been completely eliminated, whether it's a physical object, an abstract concept, or a population. Consider the impact and finality of the elimination to enhance the description.

Common error

Avoid using "had wiped out" in contexts where a less forceful phrase would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly dramatic or hyperbolic. For instance, instead of saying "the rain had wiped out our picnic plans", consider "the rain ruined our picnic plans."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had wiped out" functions as a past perfect verb phrase, indicating a completed action of complete removal or destruction before a specific point in the past. Ludwig shows numerous examples where the phrase is used to describe the total elimination of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had wiped out" is a past perfect verb phrase used to describe the complete elimination or destruction of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and tone to avoid overuse in casual situations. Alternatives like "had eliminated" or "had destroyed" may be more appropriate depending on the desired nuance. The high number of examples and authoritative sources underscore its common and accepted usage in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had eliminated

Focuses on complete removal, often in a more systematic or controlled manner.

had eradicated

Implies complete and permanent removal, often used for diseases or problems.

had destroyed

Emphasizes the act of ruining or demolishing something.

had annihilated

Suggests complete destruction to the point of non-existence.

had obliterated

Indicates complete removal, often leaving no trace behind.

had erased

Highlights the act of removing or deleting something, often data or memories.

had nullified

Focuses on rendering something invalid or ineffective.

had canceled out

Implies the negation or offsetting of something by another factor.

had negated

Similar to 'nullified' but can also apply to abstract concepts or arguments.

had reversed

Implies the undoing or overturning of a previous action or state.

FAQs

How can I use "had wiped out" in a sentence?

You can use "had wiped out" to describe the complete elimination or destruction of something, for example, "The flood "had wiped out" the entire village" or "The economic crisis "had wiped out" their savings".

What are some alternatives to "had wiped out"?

Alternatives to "had wiped out" include "had eliminated", "had destroyed", or "had eradicated", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "had wiped out" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider the tone and audience. In some formal contexts, a more neutral term like "had eliminated" or "had removed" might be more suitable to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "had wiped out" and "had diminished"?

"Had wiped out" implies complete elimination, while "had diminished" suggests a reduction or decrease. For example, "The disease "had wiped out" the entire population" indicates total destruction, whereas "The disease "had diminished" the population" suggests a reduction in numbers.