have wiped out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have wiped out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been completely eliminated or destroyed. Example: "The recent storm has wiped out several homes in the area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They would have wiped out the witnesses".

The New York Times

King said the allies have wiped out refineries.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"These arrests have wiped out two entire mob families".

Independent

"Nationalization would have wiped out equity but not bonds.

The New Yorker

And dams have wiped out nursery and spawning areas.

The New York Times - Science

Catching those balls would have wiped out 6 points.

The New York Times - Sports

It would have wiped out our profit on the deal.

The Guardian

Some sort of catastrophic event seems to have wiped out a herd of these creatures.

Harvard University

Again, we apologize for the technical hiccups that may have wiped out some comments.

The New York Times

But researchers found no evidence that dogs have wiped out a single cat species.

Independent

Meanwhile, South Korean manufacturers have wiped out Sony's profits on computer monitors, cellphones and other commodities.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider alternatives like "have eradicated" or "have eliminated" for a more professional tone, especially when discussing systematic removals.

Common error

Avoid using "have wiped out" when describing minor reductions or changes. This phrase carries a strong sense of finality and should be reserved for situations where the impact is truly significant to prevent exaggeration or hyperbole.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have wiped out" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect tense. It's used to describe a completed action in the past that has a present result or relevance. As Ludwig AI suggests, this indicates that something has been completely eliminated or destroyed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have wiped out" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that denotes a complete elimination or destruction. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English to indicate something has been totally removed or destroyed. It commonly appears in news and media, as well as in academic contexts, to emphasize the significant impact of an action. When writing, be mindful of the strong connotation of finality associated with this phrase, and consider alternative expressions like "have eliminated" or "have eradicated" for more formal or nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have eradicated

Focuses on complete removal, often used in contexts of diseases or problems.

have eliminated

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

have destroyed

Highlights the act of causing irreversible damage or ruin.

have annihilated

Suggests complete and utter destruction, often with violent connotations.

have obliterated

Conveys a sense of complete erasure, leaving no trace behind.

have extinguished

Implies bringing something to an end, like a flame or a hope.

have negated

Focuses on canceling out or nullifying the effect or existence of something.

have neutralized

Indicates rendering something harmless or ineffective.

have abolished

Signifies the formal ending of a system, practice, or institution.

have terminated

Implies a formal or definitive end to something.

FAQs

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

Use "have wiped out" to describe the complete removal or destruction of something. For example, "The flood waters "have wiped out" several homes" or "The new policy "has wiped out" all previous gains".

What can I say instead of "have wiped out"?

You can use alternatives like "have eliminated", "have eradicated", or "have destroyed" depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

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

While "have wiped out" is grammatically correct, it might be perceived as less formal. In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "have eliminated" or "have nullified" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "have wiped out" and "have reduced"?

"Have wiped out" implies complete removal or destruction, while "have reduced" suggests a decrease or partial elimination. Use ""have wiped out"" when something is entirely gone and "have reduced" when something still exists but in a smaller quantity or lesser state.