it was not destroyed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was not destroyed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something remained intact or was not harmed in a particular situation. Example: "Despite the fire, the old building was remarkably preserved; it was not destroyed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Yet if Just's collection disappeared after his death in 1972, it was not destroyed.

The New York Times - Arts

"The fact that it was not destroyed was an opportunity to develop evidence from it," Mr. Browne said.

The New York Times

READERS RESPOND to a column published on March 6, about travel in Poland or a neighboring country: I can't believe Krakow wasn't mentioned -- it's widely considered the most beautiful city in Poland (though Gdansk is a close second), as it was not destroyed during World War II (unlike Warsaw).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But it wasn't destroyed by violence.

Huffington Post

Even though it is still unclear whether or not the army was responsible for destroying the house, it's a surprise that it wasn't destroyed earlier since the government wants no reminders of the LTTE in any part of the country.

Huffington Post

"My aim is to document this historical asset, and make American Golf aware of its presence to ensure that it is not destroyed by any improvements made to the golf course".

The New York Times

Its function is similar to that of a fuse to open the circuit if abnormal current conditions occur, usually overloads but it is not destroyed in operation and can be closed again.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A scathing Senate report on the CIA's use of waterboarding and other torture techniques after the September 2001 terrorist attacks will be archived in President Obama's presidential papers to ensure it is not destroyed, the White House said Monday.

Los Angeles Times

Various antibodies are generated; some bind closely to the viral proteins and target them for phagocytosis (ingestion by specialized cells and destruction), but some bind the virus less well and appear instead to deliver the virus into a part of the phagocytes where it is not destroyed but is able to replicate further.

Wikipedia

In a clinical setting where honey is used as a topical antimicrobial and wound dressing, non-peroxide activity may be advantageous as it is not destroyed by catalase present in body fluids, and is unaffected by gamma irradiation [20], allowing these honeys to be sterilized for medicinal use.

Plosone

But to the degree that whack-a-mole is working, it is not destroying ISIS.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was not destroyed" to emphasize the unexpected survival or preservation of something, especially after a destructive event. For instance, "Despite the flood, the library's collection was surprisingly intact; "it was not destroyed".

Common error

Avoid using "it was not destroyed" when the active voice would be more direct and impactful. Instead of saying "The fire was not destroyed by the firefighters", a stronger statement would be "The firefighters extinguished the fire."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the phrase "it was not destroyed" is to assert the absence of destruction or annihilation of a specific subject. As supported by Ludwig, this phrase serves to highlight the survival or preservation of something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

22%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was not destroyed" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to emphasize the survival or preservation of something from potential destruction. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts, with high occurrence in news and media, as well as wiki and scientific sources. When writing, consider the active voice for more direct impact, and select related phrases like "it remained intact" or "it survived" to add nuance. Avoid the phrase in active voice constructions for enhanced clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it remained intact

Focuses on the state of being whole and untouched.

it survived

Emphasizes the act of enduring or overcoming a destructive force.

it was preserved

Highlights the active effort to maintain something in its original condition.

it was spared

Implies that something was saved from potential destruction.

it escaped destruction

Focuses on avoiding a destructive event.

it was left unharmed

Highlights that something did not suffer any damage.

it withstood the damage

Emphasizes the resilience of something against harm.

it resisted destruction

Highlights the active resistance against being destroyed.

it was not harmed

Indicates the absence of any adverse impact.

it endured

Emphasizes the lasting nature of something through a difficult period.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was not destroyed"?

Consider alternatives like "it remained intact", "it survived", or "it was preserved" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "it was not destroyed"?

Use "it was not destroyed" to highlight the surprising or significant fact that something avoided destruction, especially when such an outcome was unexpected or threatened.

What's the difference between "it was not destroyed" and "it was not damaged"?

"It was not destroyed" implies complete annihilation was avoided, while "it was not damaged" suggests minor harm was avoided. A building "was not destroyed" suggests it's still standing; if it "was not damaged", it implies its condition remained pristine.

Is "it wasn't destroyed" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it wasn't destroyed" is the contracted form of "it was not destroyed" and is perfectly acceptable in informal contexts. The two phrases are interchangeable in most situations.