tear down

USAGE SUMMARY

'tear down' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe the act of destroying, demolishing, or dismantling something. For example, "The construction crew worked for hours to tear down the old office building."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

When plans were announced to tear down.

The New Yorker

They tear down the tents and banners.

Independent

And I tear down the stairs.

Independent

Let us tear down that frontier.

The Economist

Arizona retirees, tear down your walls.

The New York Times

Mr Furlong, tear down this fence!

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

This tear-down approach pervades the present.

The Washington Post

"That's a tear-down," her daughter replies.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's definitely a fixer-upper instead of a tear-down".

Forbes

Zaslav often opts for a tear-down strategy.

Forbes

A vocational tear-down".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tear down" in your writing, ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to physical demolition or a more abstract dismantling of ideas or systems.

Common error

Avoid using "tear down" when a less destructive verb is more appropriate. For instance, using "revise" instead of "tear down" might be better when discussing changes to a document or plan, where you are only improving and not destroying.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "tear down" functions primarily as a verb of action, indicating the demolition, destruction, or dismantling of something, whether physical structures or abstract concepts. Ludwig provides numerous examples of both concrete and abstract usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tear down" is a phrasal verb that commonly signifies the act of demolishing, dismantling, or destroying something. As Ludwig AI correctly identifies, it's grammatically sound and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to consider the specific context and audience when choosing between "tear down" and more formal alternatives like "demolish" or "dismantle". Be mindful of potentially misinterpreting the scope of the phrase and choose the verb that most accurately reflects the intended level of destruction or alteration. Ludwig offers a wide range of examples to guide effective usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pull down

Very similar in meaning, emphasizing the physical act of pulling something apart.

demolish

A single-word synonym focusing on the act of destroying a structure.

dismantle

Implies taking something apart piece by piece rather than complete destruction.

knock down

Similar to "tear down", but can also refer to defeating someone or something.

level

Suggests making something flat by destroying what's above.

raze

A more formal synonym for completely destroying something.

take down

Can also mean to remove something, not necessarily destroy it.

bring down

Implies causing the downfall of something, not necessarily physically destroying it.

abolish

Refers to formally putting an end to a system, practice, or institution.

overthrow

Suggests the forceful removal of a government or authority.

FAQs

How to use "tear down" in a sentence?

"Tear down" is a phrasal verb that means to demolish or destroy something. For example, "They plan to tear down the old building and build a new one" or "We need to tear down the barriers that prevent communication".

What can I say instead of "tear down"?

You can use alternatives like "demolish", "dismantle", "knock down", or "raze" depending on the specific context.

Is "tear down" formal or informal?

"Tear down" is generally considered a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "demolish" or "raze" might be preferred in highly formal writing.

What's the difference between "tear down" and "break down"?

"Tear down" primarily refers to the physical act of demolishing something or metaphorically dismantling a system or idea. "Break down", on the other hand, often refers to ceasing to function or becoming emotionally distressed. So, "tear down" is about destruction or dismantling, while "break down" is about ceasing to function.