ruined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ruined" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been damaged or destroyed beyond repair, often in a figurative sense. Example: "The unexpected rainstorm ruined our picnic plans for the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Lifestyle

Opinion

Books

Sport

TV & Radio

Film

Business

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The customer said it had ruined Christmas.' Professor Richard Wiseman knows more about bad jokes than he'd like to.

The Guardian

The 18th century was a golden age; industrialisation in the 19th century brought it to the working classes, and ruined it for the chic and rich; in the late 20th century, wallpaper was passé, but for the past decade it has been back in the fashion spotlight, thanks to the extraordinary creativity of designers such as these.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There is not a great deal to see in Ravello, apart from its two villas - the ruined Rufulo, which has open-air concerts in the evenings, and the Cimbrone with its lush gardens overlooking the sea - but it is pleasant just to ramble through the cobbled lanes or linger over a drink in a café on the main square.

The Guardian - Travel

This scheme has financially ruined many hospitals, leaving them to draw on finances normally reserved for staff and supplies to repay steep mortgages.

The Guardian - Opinion

They've made us contactable around the clock, and that's ruined our work-life balance.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

At Housesteads, a couple of miles to the west, we wandered about the ruined settlement - marvelling at the luxurious expansiveness and underfloor heating of the commandant's house and the parsimonious lodgings allotted to the footsoldiers - until the fading light drove us back along the wall to the welcoming lights of Grindon hostel.

The Guardian - Travel

Like Game of Thrones, Monopoly always ends up being ruined by a Lannister.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Finally, you'll visit the Taj Mahal and ruined city of Fatehpur Sikri, where monkeys now rule.

The Guardian - Travel

CoolEdMiliband is working in Labour's favour now, but it can be easily ruined.

The Guardian

He said: "If you took EastEnders and ruined it … on some ideological bent, the audience would be absolutely outraged.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Only those seriously into colonial archeology will find the ruins exciting: a derelict Dutch-built hospital, a ruined courthouse where a large cow now presides.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ruined", consider the degree of damage or destruction you want to convey. Choose synonyms like "destroyed" or "wrecked" for emphasis or "spoiled" for less severe cases.

Common error

Avoid using "ruined" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise and technical terms like "damaged" or "compromised" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ruined" is as a past participle or adjective. As a past participle, it often forms part of the perfect tenses. As an adjective, it describes something that has been damaged or destroyed, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Travel

7%

Lifestyle

6%

Less common in

Opinion

4%

Books

3%

Sport

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ruined" is a versatile term used to describe a state of damage or destruction. Ludwig AI highlights its prevalence in news, travel and lifestyle contexts. While generally neutral, consider synonyms for formal writing or to emphasize the severity of the damage. The abundance of examples and Ludwig's assessment affirm its correct and widespread usage in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

destroyed

Implies complete devastation or irreparable damage.

wrecked

Suggests severe damage or collapse, often with a connotation of violence or force.

devastated

Indicates overwhelming emotional or physical damage.

spoiled

Refers to something that was once good but is now undesirable or unusable.

marred

Implies the presence of imperfections or blemishes that detract from overall quality.

undone

Suggests the reversal or cancellation of something previously achieved or created.

shattered

Indicates breaking into many pieces or destroying something abstract like hopes or dreams.

compromised

Suggests that something has been weakened or made vulnerable.

desecrated

Implies violation or defilement, particularly of something sacred or respected.

obliterated

Suggests complete removal or destruction to the point of being unrecognizable.

FAQs

How can I use "ruined" in a sentence?

"Ruined" can be used to describe something that has been damaged or destroyed. For example, "The storm "destroyed" the crops" or "His reputation was "shattered" by the scandal".

What are some synonyms for "ruined"?

Alternatives include "destroyed", "wrecked", "spoiled", "devastated", and "marred", each carrying slightly different connotations.

When is it appropriate to use "ruined" instead of "damaged"?

"Ruined" implies more extensive and irreparable damage than "damaged". Use "ruined" when something is beyond repair or restoration, whereas "damaged" suggests that repair is still possible.

Is "ruined" a formal or informal word?

"Ruined" is generally considered a neutral term suitable for most contexts. However, in highly formal or technical writing, more precise alternatives like "compromised" or "invalidated" might be preferable.