it is easier to destroy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is easier to destroy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the relative difficulty of creating something versus the ease of destroying it, often in a philosophical or practical context. Example: "In many cases, it is easier to destroy than to create, which is why we must be mindful of our actions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It is easier to destroy than to build.

The Guardian

He said he anticipated no difficulties: "It is easier to destroy than to build".

The New York Times

"It is easier to destroy than to build," Mawlawi Qudratullah Jamal, then the Taliban information minister, noted on March 3 , 2001

The New York Times

Endemic species are much more vulnerable to human activity than are more widely distributed species, because it is easier to destroy all the habitat in a small geographic range than in a large one.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It is easy to destroy; it takes skill to create.

The New York Times - Sports

"I decided that it is easy to destroy things but very difficult to build them up again.

The New York Times

It is easy to destroy, and it is hard to build.

Huffington Post

Balance the drink carefully, it is easy to destroy a gimlet by making it too sweet or sour, if pressed err on the side of too sour.

WikiHow

And there in a few minutes, the whole thing collapsed!' Elaborating on her conspiracy theory, Cotillard even suggests the towers were an outdated 'money sucker' which would have cost so much to modernise that it was easier to destroy them.

The Guardian - Film

Disgruntled employees gaining access to confidential data has always been a potential problem for companies, but the cloud makes it worse because it's easier to destroy the entire cloud environment, and quickly, rather than one isolated part of the network.

Huffington Post

"It was easy to destroy this town," Bass told me a few weeks ago.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "it is easier to destroy", consider the context carefully. It's often used to highlight the importance of building and maintaining things, whether they are physical structures, relationships, or systems. Use it to emphasize the value of creation and preservation.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "it is easier to destroy" as a standalone statement without providing specific examples or context. Without context, the phrase can sound cliché or overly simplistic. Always follow up with an explanation of what is being destroyed and why it's easier than building or maintaining it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is easier to destroy" functions as a statement of comparison, highlighting the relative ease of destruction compared to creation or building. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is easier to destroy" is a commonly used expression that highlights the disparity in effort between destruction and creation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. As evidenced by the examples, this phrase appears across a variety of contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific articles. This phrase often serves as a cautionary message, underscoring the value of building and preserving rather than thoughtlessly destroying. While grammatically sound and widely understood, it's important to use this phrase with specific context to avoid sounding cliché. Alternatives such as "destruction is simpler than construction" may offer a fresh perspective. By understanding its nuances, you can use "it is easier to destroy" effectively to add depth and meaning to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

destruction is simpler than construction

Focuses on the simplicity of destroying compared to the complexity of constructing.

tearing down is easier than building up

Uses the metaphor of tearing down versus building up to highlight the disparity in effort.

it's less effort to demolish than to create

Emphasizes the lower amount of effort required for demolition compared to creation.

destroying takes less skill than creating

Highlights the difference in skill required for destroying versus creating.

it's quicker to ruin than to build

Focuses on the time aspect, noting the speed of ruining compared to building.

to destroy is easier

A shorter and more concise way of expressing the same idea.

ruin is easier than construction

Similar to destruction, but with a slightly different connotation of decay and collapse.

demolishing is easier

Similar to destroying but implies the action of demolish is easier.

it is simple to eradicate

Emphasizes the simplicity of eradicating in comparison to other actions.

undoing is less complex

Focuses on the complexity of undoing actions compared to the complexity of more creative actions.

FAQs

How can I use "it is easier to destroy" in a sentence?

You can use "it is easier to destroy" to emphasize the value of creation and preservation, such as: "In many cases, "it is easier to destroy" trust than to build it".

What phrases are similar to "it is easier to destroy"?

Similar phrases include "destruction is simpler than construction", "tearing down is easier than building up", or "it's less effort to demolish than to create", all conveying the relative ease of destroying versus creating.

When is it appropriate to use the saying "it is easier to destroy"?

It is appropriate when you want to highlight the relative difficulty of creating or maintaining something compared to the ease of destroying it, often in a philosophical or practical context. It's suitable for discussions about infrastructure, relationships, or abstract concepts like trust.

How does the effort required for building and destroying differ?

Building typically requires planning, resources, time, and skill, while destroying often needs less effort and can be achieved quickly. This contrast is why "it is easier to destroy", as it bypasses the complexities of creation and maintenance.