to be pulverized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be pulverized" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the process of being reduced to fine particles or dust, often in a literal or metaphorical sense. Example: "The old building was set to be pulverized to make way for a new development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

A small avalanche of white crumbs proves to be pulverized prawn crackers.

The New York Times - Food

When they become fragrant, after just a minute or so, they are ready to be pulverized using an electric spice mill or mortar.

The New York Times - Food

And so, on the first day it became clear that Saddam's rule was finally going to be pulverized, it seemed wisest to continue ignoring what lay before their eyes.

The New Yorker

Rothko himself put it this way: "The familiar identity of things has to be pulverized in order to destroy the finite associations with which our society increasingly enshrouds every aspect of our environment".

Huffington Post

But he also does not know that MacArthur, who was a brilliant but very uneven figure, essentially lost the Philippines 75 years ago today by leaving his powerful air force sitting on its runways and in its hangers to be pulverized by Japanese bombers.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Every piece of metal, glass, brick and concrete from the low-slung buildings, the playground, the jungle gym and the driveway will be pulverized to prevent chunks of the tragedy from becoming souvenirs.

Los Angeles Times

Many fungal spores are of respirable size and the mycelium-substrate matrix can be pulverized to form particles of respirable size during routine handling of grain.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Depleted uranium is used in the tips of missiles, shells and bullets to increase their ability to penetrate armor and can be pulverized on impact into a toxic radioactive dust, military experts say.

The New York Times

Ma'am, that goat will be pulverized by these powerful doors.

The New Yorker

I didn't realize people would be pulverized.

The New York Times

Ideas, though, cannot be pulverized or diluted or stolen.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be pulverized" to vividly describe the complete destruction or reduction of something, whether physical objects or abstract concepts, for a dramatic effect.

Common error

Avoid using "to be pulverized" too frequently in your writing. While impactful, overuse can diminish its effect. Vary your descriptions of destruction with synonyms like "crushed", "shattered", or "demolished" for a more nuanced and engaging narrative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be pulverized" functions as a passive infinitive verb phrase. It describes a state of being acted upon, specifically the action of being reduced to fine particles or dust. Ludwig examples show its usage in both literal and metaphorical contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be pulverized" is a grammatically sound passive infinitive verb phrase signifying thorough destruction or reduction to fine particles. While correct and usable, Ludwig examples suggest it is more commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts. The term effectively conveys a sense of force or completeness, but should be used judiciously to avoid diminishing its impact through overuse. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, offering synonyms like "to be crushed" or "to be shattered" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be crushed

Focuses on the physical act of pressing something with great force, leading to its deformation or destruction.

to be ground into dust

Emphasizes the reduction of something into fine particles, similar to powder or dust.

to be shattered

Highlights the breaking of something into many pieces violently.

to be annihilated

Indicates complete destruction and obliteration, leaving nothing behind.

to be demolished

Refers to the deliberate destruction of a structure or building.

to be reduced to rubble

Suggests the transformation of something into a pile of broken fragments and debris.

to be defeated soundly

Shifts the focus to a complete and decisive loss in a competitive context.

to be overwhelmed

Implies being overpowered or inundated by something, leading to a loss of control.

to be vanquished

Highlights the act of being thoroughly conquered or subdued.

to be atomized

Emphasizes the breaking down of something into its smallest constituent parts.

FAQs

How can I use "to be pulverized" in a sentence?

You can use "to be pulverized" to describe something being utterly destroyed or reduced to fine particles. For example, "The building was scheduled "to be demolished" and its remains "to be ground into dust"".

What does "to be pulverized" mean?

The phrase "to be pulverized" means to be completely destroyed, crushed, or ground into a fine powder or dust. It often implies a forceful and thorough destruction.

What are some alternatives to "to be pulverized"?

Alternatives to "to be pulverized" include "to be crushed", "to be shattered", "to be demolished", or "to be ground", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "to be pulverized" in formal writing?

While "to be pulverized" is grammatically correct, its strong imagery may be more suitable for descriptive or creative writing. In formal or professional contexts, consider using more neutral alternatives such as "to be destroyed" or "to be disintegrated" if appropriate.