this was destroyed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this was destroyed by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the agent or cause responsible for the destruction of something. Example: "The ancient ruins were found in a state of disrepair, as they were this was destroyed by natural disasters over the centuries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But this was destroyed by the Communists.

The New Yorker

"I feel ashamed that a foreign person sees this and thinks: This was destroyed by Afghans themselves".

The New Yorker

This was destroyed by the Danes in 870, and a Benedictine monastery was built on the ruins in 970.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some 700 800 migrants, mostly Afghan, were camped in an area among the dunes near the port, locally called 'The Jungle', but this was destroyed by French authorities in a dawn raid on 22 September 2009.

Wikipedia

An early motte and bailey or ringwork Norman castle was built on the Framlingham site by 1148, but this was destroyed by Henry II of England in the aftermath of the revolt of 1173-4.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

In 1838 this building was destroyed by fire.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Under the Celtic threat they established a coherent political entity, but this too was destroyed by Macedonia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This settlement was destroyed by fire in 1157, but a new city was built there by Henry III, duke of Saxony, in 1159.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The cathedral was originally the church of the Augustinian priory (founded 1093), but much of this building was destroyed by fire in 1292 and 1392.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This centralization was destroyed by the Portuguese, who from the late 16th to the late 17th century provoked warfare and slaving among the peoples of the region.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Walking up the stairs, I remembered that in 2002 this office was destroyed by the Israeli Army when it invaded Ramallah during the second Palestinian intifada.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "this was destroyed by", ensure that the agent or cause of destruction is clearly identified to provide context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "this was destroyed by" without specifying what caused the destruction. Unclear causation weakens the statement and leaves the reader questioning the responsible party or event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this was destroyed by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something experienced destruction due to an external force or agent. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and useful. Examples from Ludwig show its application in various contexts, highlighting what caused the destruction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

21%

Wiki

21%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this was destroyed by" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive construction that explains the cause of destruction. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and applicable in a variety of contexts. Usage patterns indicate its frequent appearance in news, encyclopedias, and wikis. When employing this phrase, clarity in identifying the agent or cause is crucial. Related phrases like "this was ruined by" offer semantically similar alternatives for conveying destruction. The examples show how this construction can be employed across various domains, maintaining a neutral tone appropriate for diverse communication needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this was ruined by

Replaces "destroyed" with "ruined", indicating a state of damage or devastation.

this was obliterated by

Uses "obliterated" for a stronger emphasis on complete destruction.

this was devastated by

Employs "devastated" to highlight the extent of the damage and its emotional impact.

this was annihilated by

Replaces "destroyed" with "annihilated" suggesting total destruction.

this was wrecked by

Uses "wrecked" to indicate severe damage or ruin.

this was demolished by

Employs "demolished" to imply complete dismantling or tearing down.

this was consumed by

Uses "consumed" to suggest that something was completely used up or eradicated, often by fire or another destructive force.

this succumbed to

Suggests that something was overcome or yielded to a destructive force, indicating a lack of resistance.

this was broken by

Uses "broken" to indicate that something was damaged to the point where it no longer functions.

this fell victim to

Indicates that something was harmed or destroyed by a specific cause, often with a sense of inevitability.

FAQs

How can I use "this was destroyed by" in a sentence?

Use "this was destroyed by" to indicate the agent or cause that led to the destruction of something. For example, "The ancient city "this was destroyed by" invaders".

What are some alternatives to "this was destroyed by"?

Alternatives include "this was ruined by", "this was obliterated by", or "this was devastated by depending on the context".

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "this was destroyed by"?

While "this was destroyed by" is in the passive voice, it's appropriate when you want to emphasize the object that was destroyed rather than the actor. If you want to emphasize the actor, use the active voice: "The invaders destroyed the city".

What's the difference between "this was destroyed by" and "this was damaged by"?

"This was destroyed by" implies a complete loss or ruin, while "this was damaged by" suggests that something is harmed but not necessarily beyond repair. Destruction is more severe than damage.