ruin it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ruin it" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to causing damage or destruction to something, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "If you keep talking during the movie, you're going to ruin it for everyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You'll ruin it".

The New York Times

That would ruin it.

The New York Times - Food

Before they ruin it.

The New York Times

I love to ruin it.

The New York Times

"One mistake can ruin it".

The New York Times

Everyone's happy, don't ruin it".

The New Yorker

So don't ruin it for me".

The New Yorker

I will not ruin it for you.

The New Yorker

Not even the aliens could ruin it.

Independent

As a ruin it is potent.

The Guardian

Or at least not to ruin it?

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ruin it", consider the degree of damage you want to convey. If the impact is less severe, "spoil it" might be a better choice.

Common error

In professional or academic writing, avoid using "ruin it" as it is often too informal. Opt for stronger, more precise verbs like "undermine", "compromise", or "invalidate" to maintain a formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ruin it" functions as a verb phrase, where "ruin" is the verb and "it" is the direct object. Ludwig AI indicates it's used to express the action of causing something to be damaged or spoiled. The examples from Ludwig demonstrate usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

9%

Encyclopedias

6%

Social Media

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ruin it" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express the act of spoiling or damaging something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's generally appropriate for informal contexts, like news articles, blog posts, and everyday conversations. When writing in formal or professional settings, consider using more precise alternatives such as "undermine", "compromise", or "invalidate". The phrase's prevalence across various sources, including The New York Times and The Guardian, underscores its widespread use, but remember to choose your words wisely based on the context to convey your intended message accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spoil it

Replaces "ruin" with "spoil", suggesting a less severe negative impact, often related to enjoyment or experience.

wreck it

Emphasizes a more forceful and destructive action than "ruin".

mess it up

A more informal way to express causing something to go wrong or be damaged.

destroy it

Implies complete devastation, a stronger term than "ruin".

damage it

Focuses on the harm caused, rather than the complete destruction implied by "ruin".

sabotage it

Suggests a deliberate act of causing failure or damage.

undo it

Implies reversing or negating the positive aspects of something.

botch it

Suggests a clumsy or unskilled action that leads to failure.

mar it

Implies blemishing or defacing something, making it less perfect.

impair it

Focuses on diminishing the quality or effectiveness of something.

FAQs

How can I use "ruin it" in a sentence?

You can use "ruin it" to express that something will be spoiled or destroyed. For example: "If you tell him the surprise, you'll ruin it for everyone."

What is a less informal alternative to "ruin it"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "spoil it", "damage it", or "compromise it" instead of "ruin it".

When is it appropriate to use "ruin it"?

The phrase "ruin it" is appropriate in informal settings, conversations, and casual writing. Avoid using it in formal or professional contexts.

Is there a difference between "ruin it" and "wreck it"?

While both phrases imply destruction, "wreck it" suggests more severe and forceful damage compared to "ruin it".