the flames were extinguished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the flames were extinguished" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where a fire has been put out or stopped, often in narratives or reports about fire incidents. Example: "After several hours of battling the blaze, the firefighters finally announced that the flames were extinguished."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Fire marshals and members of the police crime scene unit arrived after the flames were extinguished.

The New York Times

Seven fire departments battled the blaze before the flames were extinguished shortly before midnight.

The New York Times

The flames were extinguished by 10 45 P.M., fire officials said.

The New York Times

No one was injured and the flames were extinguished in less than an hour, but one of three buildings was destroyed.

The Guardian

The entire block on Putnam Avenue, in a residential corner of Bushwick, remained blocked off to cars and pedestrians hours after the flames were extinguished.

The New York Times

Mr. Cole said that the flames were extinguished within a couple of minutes and that it wasn't different from other car fires.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The flame is extinguished.

The New York Times - Magazine

The flame was extinguished on Monday.

The New York Times

But what will happen once the flame is extinguished in Vancouver?

The New York Times - Sports

Video footage of the demonstration suggests the flame was extinguished while the runner carrying the torch had to be bussed to safety.

The Guardian - Sport

Church leaders have made clear that their eyes are not on the Olympics but on what happens after the flame is extinguished.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a fire incident, use "the flames were extinguished" to clearly indicate the fire has been put out, especially in reports or news articles. This phrase provides a definitive sense of conclusion to the event.

Common error

Avoid using "the flames were extinguished" in purely metaphorical senses where a more appropriate term like "the tension dissipated" or "the conflict subsided" would be more fitting. Overusing fire-related vocabulary can dilute the impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the flames were extinguished" functions as a declarative statement, indicating that a fire event has ended. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is commonly used and grammatically sound. The sentence uses passive voice, shifting focus to the fire being acted upon.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the flames were extinguished" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression, primarily found in news and media contexts to report the end of a fire. According to Ludwig AI, it is a usable phrase in English. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral, factual reporting and should be used sparingly in purely metaphorical contexts. Alternative phrases such as "the fire was put out" or "the blaze was contained" offer simpler or more nuanced ways to convey the same meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the fire was put out

Replaces "flames were extinguished" with simpler vocabulary focusing on the act of suppressing the fire.

the blaze was contained

Emphasizes the control and limitation of the fire's spread.

the fire was brought under control

Highlights the process of managing and suppressing the fire effectively.

the conflagration was suppressed

Uses more formal language to describe the stopping of a large and destructive fire.

the fire died down

Implies a natural reduction in the fire's intensity without explicit intervention.

the inferno was quenched

Emphasizes the forceful suppression of a very intense and large fire using a more poetic register.

the crisis was averted

Shifts the focus from the fire itself to the prevention of a larger disaster.

the situation was defused

Generalizes the ending of a dangerous or tense situation, not exclusively fire-related.

the tension dissipated

Focuses on the reduction of emotional intensity, applicable in contexts beyond physical fires.

the conflict subsided

Refers to the lessening of conflict or strife, applicable metaphorically to situations likened to fire.

FAQs

What does "the flames were extinguished" mean?

The phrase "the flames were extinguished" means that a fire has been put out or stopped. It indicates the end of a burning event.

What can I say instead of "the flames were extinguished"?

You can use alternatives like "the fire was put out", "the blaze was contained", or "the fire was brought under control" depending on the context.

Is "the flames were extinguished" formal or informal?

"The flames were extinguished" is neither strictly formal nor informal. It's suitable for neutral contexts, such as news reports and factual descriptions. More formal alternatives include "the conflagration was suppressed".

How is "the flames were extinguished" used in a sentence?

This phrase is used to describe the action of putting out a fire. For example: "After several hours, the firefighters announced that "the flames were extinguished"."