have obliterated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have obliterated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been completely destroyed or erased in the past and has relevance to the present. Example: "The recent storm has obliterated the coastal town, leaving nothing but debris in its wake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Together they have obliterated the tourist trade.

Independent

Should we obliterate his image from our money, as we have obliterated McKinley from the mountain?

The New Yorker

For the second successive weekend, the Germans have obliterated highly talented opponents.

The New York Times - Sports

And in many Sydney suburbs, supermarkets have obliterated small family-run businesses.

The New York Times - Travel

"The original plan would have obliterated the entire meadow area," Dr. Roberts said.

The New York Times

Deforestation and farming have obliterated great stretches of forest and grassland that once absorbed carbon dioxide.

The New York Times - Science

In the continental region, the plume related volcanic activity appears to have obliterated all seismic features typical of continental crust.

Marine and Petroleum Geology

Scientists speculated that a collision with another solar system body might have obliterated some of the southern hemisphere's earlier craters.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Nets and the Knicks have obliterated their rosters to become players in the free-agent market this summer.

The New York Times - Sports

Penn Central returned with plans for a 59-story tower that would have obliterated the south facade.

The New York Times

In short order Grant demolishes Hemingway, Whitman, Fitzgerald, just as the canon-busting Graves would have obliterated Yeats, Eliot, Auden.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have obliterated" to emphasize the thoroughness and completeness of destruction or erasure. It's stronger than saying something was simply 'destroyed'.

Common error

Avoid using "have obliterated" in overly casual or informal settings. While grammatically correct, its intensity may sound unnatural or exaggerated in everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

Function: "Have obliterated" functions as a verb phrase in the perfect tense, indicating a completed action in the past that has present relevance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. It vividly describes the complete removal or destruction of something, as demonstrated in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have obliterated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that vividly conveys complete destruction or erasure. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for various contexts, though its intensity makes it best suited for formal or descriptive writing where emphasis is desired. The phrase appears most commonly in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. While alternatives like "have destroyed" or "have erased" exist, "have obliterated" carries a stronger sense of finality and thoroughness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have annihilated

Replaces "obliterated" with a term suggesting total destruction, often with violent implications.

have eradicated

Suggests the complete removal of something, often used in the context of problems or diseases.

have wiped out

A more informal alternative, implying complete destruction or removal.

have completely destroyed

A more explicit and less figurative way of expressing the same idea.

have erased

Emphasizes the removal of something, as if wiping it clean.

have eliminated

Implies the removal of something, often in a more controlled or systematic way.

have extinguished

Suggests bringing something to an end, often used for abstract concepts like hope or a tradition.

have nullified

Suggests rendering something invalid or without effect.

have decimated

Implies severe reduction or destruction, though not necessarily complete.

have suppressed

Implies forcibly putting an end to something.

FAQs

How can I use "have obliterated" in a sentence?

Use "have obliterated" to describe something that has been completely destroyed or erased. For example, "The flood "has obliterated" the town".

What can I say instead of "have obliterated"?

Alternatives include "have annihilated", "have eradicated", or "have completely destroyed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "have obliterated" or "has obliterated"?

"Have obliterated" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "They "have obliterated" the evidence"), while "has obliterated" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "The storm "has obliterated" the beach").

What's the difference between "have obliterated" and "have destroyed"?

"Have obliterated" implies a more complete and thorough destruction than "have destroyed". Obliteration suggests that nothing remains, whereas destruction might leave some remnants.