limited destruction

USAGE SUMMARY

"limited destruction" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a situation where damage is confined to a specific area or extent. For example, "The storm caused limited destruction to the coastal town." Alternative expressions include "restricted damage" and "minimal devastation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Experts said that while the quake was significantly less intense than the one in 1964, which was magnitude 9.2, its limited destruction was the result of the region's growing smarter and much more resilient in the years since.

The New York Times

At military checkpoints, British soldiers assure passing Afghans they are there for reconstruction, not eradication, and they often turn a blind eye when they find opium.President Karzai has so far allowed only limited destruction by hand or with tractors.

The Economist

"It's a hell of a pinpoint operation," Kerry said, referring to Israel's airstrikes in Gaza, which the country had promised would cause limited destruction but were killing civilians.

Huffington Post

Catheter ablation can therefore also be considered as a limited destruction, balancing between too little and too much.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Whatever the rights and wrongs of the conflict, we are certainly seeing images of its consequences - destroyed buildings and many dead and injured Palestinians and the more limited death and destruction on the Israeli side.

BBC

The concepts are: Assured Destruction, Limited Nuclear War, Counterforce, Defense Unlimited, Nonviolent Resistance, Non-Nuclear Resistance, and Live and Let Live.

The New Yorker

Eventually, these unnecessary incidents will take a toll much larger than one limited to the destruction of a sacred building.

The New York Times

But many military planners scoffed at the idea of a nuclear bomb that limited killing and destruction, and insisted that deployment would escalate the arms race and make nuclear war more likely.

The New York Times

He summarized, "Limited options keep Destruction Derby out of the winner's circuit, but this rowdy stock-car racer still generates a stadium full of thrashin' fun".

Wikipedia

In his admirable manual, Terrorism: How to Respond, the Belfast academic Richard English defines the threat to democracy as not the "limited danger" of death and destruction.

The Guardian - Opinion

In summary, RFA provides the opportunity for localised tissue destruction of limited volumes of tumour; it can be offered to nonsurgical candidates and used in conjunction with systemic therapy.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "limited destruction" to accurately convey that while damage occurred, it was not widespread or catastrophic. This nuanced description is particularly useful in reports, news articles, and academic papers to provide a balanced perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "limited destruction" when the damage is actually extensive. Ensure the adjective accurately reflects the reality; otherwise, opt for stronger terms like "widespread devastation" or "severe damage".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "limited destruction" functions as a noun phrase, where "limited" modifies the noun "destruction". It describes the state or result of something being destroyed to a certain degree or extent. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "limited destruction" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a noun phrase describing damage that is not widespread, with the adjective "limited" modifying the noun "destruction". While the frequency of this phrase is uncommon, it appears across a variety of contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki. Usage guides recommend using it to accurately represent the extent of damage and avoiding overstatement. Semantically related phrases include "contained damage" and "localized damage". Ludwig AI’s analysis supports the versatility and correctness of this phrase in conveying nuanced information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contained damage

Focuses on the containment aspect, implying the damage did not spread extensively.

localized damage

Emphasizes the geographical restriction of the damage.

minimal damage

Highlights the slight extent of the damage caused.

restricted damage

Indicates that the damage was kept within certain bounds or limits.

partial devastation

Suggests that only a portion of an area or entity was devastated.

controlled demolition

Implies a deliberate and managed destruction process, often in construction.

selective demolition

Highlights the careful targeting of specific structures for demolition.

superficial damage

Indicates that the damage is only on the surface and not deeply impactful.

minor devastation

Emphasizes the relative insignificance of the devastation.

circumscribed destruction

Emphasizes the clearly defined boundaries of the destruction.

FAQs

How can I use "limited destruction" in a sentence?

You can use "limited destruction" to describe events where damage occurred but was contained. For example, "The earthquake caused "limited destruction" to the city's infrastructure".

What are some alternatives to "limited destruction"?

Alternatives include "contained damage", "localized damage", or "minimal damage", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Which is correct: "limited destruction" or "slight destruction"?

"Limited destruction" and "slight destruction" are both correct, but they emphasize different aspects. "Limited" focuses on the scope being restricted, while "slight" emphasizes the degree of damage being small.

What's the difference between "limited destruction" and "widespread destruction"?

"Limited destruction" indicates that the damage is contained and not extensive, whereas "widespread destruction" implies that the damage is broad and affects a large area or population.