it is destroying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is destroying" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an ongoing action that is causing destruction or damage to something. Example: "The pollution in the river is so severe that it is destroying the local ecosystem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If a company fails to generate a return on invested capital (ROIC) greater than its WACC, it is destroying shareholder value.

Forbes

This was about as comforting to Latin America as a promise from Iraq is to us that it is destroying all of its weapons of mass destruction.

Forbes

As always, inflation hits the middle and lower classes hardest, and in many Arab states it is destroying the middle class, driving its members to the levels of the poor.

The New York Times

Facebook faces similar questions over the power of its algorithm — whether it is politically or otherwise biased, whether it is destroying the media business it depends on for content, whether it is coaxing people away from reading and toward watching.

The New York Times

It is destroying lives.

The Guardian

It is destroying Chicago's finances and threatening the city's future.

The New York Times

It is destroying lives, and it has to stop".

Independent

It is destroying the glue that holds Europe together: trust.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is destroying the future of our children.

The Guardian - Arts

"We have the wrong idea of economic development, and it is destroying our city".

The New York Times

Many Canadians oppose a tar sands pipeline as it is destroying large sections of their environment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is destroying", ensure the subject (the 'it') is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For emphasis, consider stronger verbs like "obliterating" or "devastating" depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "it is destroying" when a more direct, active voice would be clearer and more impactful. For instance, instead of "the flood it is destroying the town", consider "the flood is destroying the town".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is destroying" functions as a verb phrase indicating an ongoing action that causes damage or demolition. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this construction adheres to standard English grammar. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is destroying" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe an ongoing destructive action. As verified by Ludwig AI, this phrase is common across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While its register remains generally neutral, more emphatic alternatives like "it is devastating" can be considered for heightened impact. When using "it is destroying", be mindful of clarity and avoid passive voice constructions for stronger, more direct communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is ruining

Replaces "destroying" with "ruining", suggesting a less severe form of damage or decay.

it is damaging

Uses "damaging" instead of "destroying", implying harm or impairment.

it is devastating

Employs "devastating" for a more emphatic portrayal of destructive impact.

it is undermining

Substitutes "destroying" with "undermining", focusing on weakening or destabilizing something.

it is obliterating

Uses "obliterating", indicating complete annihilation or erasure.

it is wrecking

Replaces "destroying" with "wrecking", suggesting violent or forceful damage.

it is dismantling

Employs "dismantling", focusing on taking apart or breaking down systematically.

it is corroding

Substitutes "destroying" with "corroding", implying a gradual process of decay, especially through chemical action.

it is annihilating

Uses "annihilating" to suggest complete destruction or extinction.

it is eroding

Replaces "destroying" with "eroding", implying a gradual wearing away, often by natural forces.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "it is destroying"?

You can use alternatives like "it is ruining", "it is damaging", or "it is devastating" depending on the context.

How to use "it is destroying" in a sentence?

Use "it is destroying" to describe something that is actively causing harm or damage. For example: "The war it is destroying the country's economy".

Which is correct, "it is destroying" or "it destroys"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they convey different meanings. "It is destroying" describes an ongoing action, while "it destroys" describes a habitual or general action.

What's the difference between "it is destroying" and "it is being destroyed"?

"It is destroying" is active voice, meaning 'it' is the subject performing the action. "It is being destroyed" is passive voice, meaning 'it' is the recipient of the action. For example: "The fire it is destroying the forest" vs "The forest it is being destroyed by the fire".