rubble

USAGE SUMMARY

"rubble" is a valid word in English.
You can use "rubble" to refer to small pieces of debris (used especially to refer to the broken parts of a building or structure). For example: "The house was destroyed during the storm, leaving nothing but rubble in its wake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

The Guardian - Arts

The Economist

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Amnesty says that half the city's population have been displaced by "a campaign of indiscriminate air bombardment by government forces, which have also reduced entire areas to rubble and killed and maimed countless civilians".

The Guardian

He and his wife were riding their scooter when the earthquake struck and were thrown off, narrowly missing being hit by falling rubble.

The Guardian

Coarsely grind or chop the walnuts so you have a chunky rubble, then stir in the ground almonds and slivered pistachios, followed by the zest, salt (if using), cardamom and 5tbsp of melted butter.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Pictures showed shiny luxury cars scattered amid the rubble.

The Guardian

Much of the high-rise structure was reduced to rubble Tuesday by the wind-driven flames.

The Guardian

Into the rubble, flooding, and chaos of these distinct cultures and contexts, Cuba dispatched a specialised disaster and epidemic control team to support local health providers.

The Guardian

Abdulsalam Mohammed, of Nigeria's national emergency management agency, told the Guardian the death toll could rise as emergency workers cleared the rubble.

The Guardian

"Until the helicopter is completely removed from the scene and the right people are in the premises and are able to look through the rubble completely and start to clear it, we can't say anything about exact numbers," said House.

The Guardian

At the main hospital in Kathmandu, volunteers formed human chains to clear the way for ambulances to bring in the injured, while across the city, rescuers scrabbled through the rubble of destroyed buildings, among them ancient, wooden Hindu temples, in search of victims.

The Guardian

The landslide came all right, but when it did it was Landon who ended up crushed under the rubble of Roosevelt's most convincing win, with a touch more than 60% of the ballot.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the town centre, and two inner suburbs, the worst hit areas, whole blocks are heaps of rubble.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a scene of destruction, use "rubble" to vividly convey the image of scattered debris and remnants of something that once stood.

Common error

Avoid using "rubble" as a verb. It is primarily a noun referring to broken fragments. Instead of saying "The explosion rumbled the building," use "The explosion reduced the building to rubble."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "rubble" is as a noun, referring to the broken remains of an object or structure. As Ludwig AI shows, it's commonly used to describe the aftermath of destructive events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

The Guardian - Arts

4%

The Economist

4%

Less common in

The Guardian - Lifestyle

2%

The Guardian - Opinion

2%

The Guardian - Sport

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rubble" functions as a noun to depict fragmented remains, especially those of buildings. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. While primarily neutral in register, it's frequently found in news and media reports describing scenes of destruction. When writing, remember that "rubble" is a noun and should not be used as a verb. Use alternative phrases like "debris" or "wreckage" to add variety to your descriptions. The word "rubble" evokes a strong image of desolation and destruction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

debris

Focuses on scattered fragments resulting from destruction.

ruins

Emphasizes the remains of something destroyed or decayed.

wreckage

Highlights the remnants of a vehicle or structure after an accident.

fragments

Refers to small, broken pieces of something.

remains

Indicates what is left after something has been destroyed or used.

broken pieces

A more general term for parts that have been fractured.

pulverized material

Suggests something has been ground into a powder.

shattered remnants

Emphasizes the violent breaking and what is left behind.

demolished structure

Focuses on the act of destruction and the resulting building.

collapsed masonry

Specifically refers to the remains of stone or brickwork.

FAQs

How to use "rubble" in a sentence?

You can use "rubble" to describe the debris remaining after destruction, such as "The earthquake left the city in "ruins", with streets covered in rubble."

What can I say instead of "rubble"?

You can use alternatives like "debris", "wreckage", or "fragments" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "rubble" or "rubbles"?

"Rubble" is generally used as an uncountable noun, so the plural form "rubbles" is less common. Use "rubble" to refer to a mass of broken pieces.

What's the difference between "rubble" and "debris"?

"Rubble" typically refers to the broken remains of buildings or structures, while "debris" is a more general term for scattered fragments or waste material.