to be wrecked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be wrecked" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a place, object, or other thing that has been badly damaged or destroyed, often as a result of an accident or other incident. For example, "The ship was wrecked by a violent storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

In the EU about 10 millions of used cars have to be wrecked per year.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

He said he expected martial law to be imposed and the region's economy to be wrecked.

The New York Times

"If things go wrong, his political career is going to be wrecked," he said.

The New York Times

Professional firefighters will never allow our great public service to be wrecked.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The single individual is more likely to be wrecked on his voyage than the lives joined together in matrimony".

The New York Times

The deal could become the biggest to be wrecked by the White House's clampdown on tax inversions.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

But it's not fair to Kapoor's beautiful work of art to let it be wrecked, however noble the cause of fighting racism.

The Guardian - Opinion

One congressional requirement, for example, stipulates that a train be wrecked to see how many of its cars derail and leak their flammable contents.

The Washington Post

So precious have old warbirds become that curators argue it's unconscionable for collectors like Yagen to fly them: They might be wrecked and lost forever.

Forbes

First you have to pass through the gallery's library, which appears to have been wrecked by some supernatural fiend.

The New York Times - Arts

The ship, once thought to have been wrecked in the 17th-century battle of Sole Bay, is believed to be a 16th-century Dutch vessel and is officially protected as a designated wreck.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be wrecked" to describe something that is severely damaged or destroyed, especially in contexts involving accidents, disasters, or intentional acts of demolition. For example, “The car was wrecked in the accident” or “His career was wrecked by the scandal”.

Common error

Avoid using "to be wrecked" in highly formal or professional writing where a more precise or nuanced term might be appropriate. Consider alternatives like "destroyed", "severely damaged", or "demolished" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be wrecked" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject has undergone an action resulting in severe damage or destruction. Ludwig examples show this phrase used to describe physical objects and abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be wrecked" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction that describes something or someone that has experienced significant damage or destruction. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is versatile and can be applied to both physical and abstract entities. It is frequently found in news media and general articles, and although it can be used in different writing contexts, it might be better to use more formal alternatives in some specific cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be ruined

Replaces "wrecked" with "ruined", focusing on the state of devastation or irreparable damage.

to be destroyed

Emphasizes complete obliteration or demolition, stronger than just damage.

to be devastated

Highlights the severe emotional or physical impact of the destruction.

to be demolished

Focuses on the act of tearing down or dismantling something completely.

to be shattered

Suggests breaking into many pieces; can be used both literally and figuratively.

to be obliterated

Indicates complete removal or erasure from existence.

to be ravaged

Highlights the destructive force and widespread damage inflicted.

to be dismantled

Focuses on the systematic taking apart or breaking down of something.

to be totaled

Mainly used for vehicles, meaning damaged beyond repair and considered a total loss.

to be annihilated

Implies complete destruction, often on a large scale or in a violent manner.

FAQs

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

You can use "to be wrecked" to describe something that has suffered severe damage or destruction. For instance, "The ship was "to be wrecked" during the storm", or "His reputation was "to be wrecked" after the scandal".

What are some alternatives to "to be wrecked"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "to be destroyed", "to be ruined", or "to be demolished" instead of "to be wrecked".

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

While grammatically correct, "to be wrecked" might sound less formal than alternatives like "to be devastated" or "to be obliterated". Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

Can "to be wrecked" be used figuratively?

Yes, "to be wrecked" can be used figuratively to describe something that is not physically damaged but is ruined in some other way, such as a career or a relationship. An example is "His career was "to be wrecked" after the scandal".