to destroy something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to destroy something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of causing something to cease to exist or to be severely damaged. Example: "The storm threatened to destroy something precious to the community, their historic library."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

And it's very easy to destroy something.

The New York Times

It was a bad moment to destroy something fun.

The Economist

You have to build something strong to destroy something strong.

The New York Times

He is reinforcing that it takes only one mistake to destroy something.

The New York Times - Sports

Or perhaps Lars von Trier is feeling the need to destroy something beautiful?

The Guardian - Film

Why would I want to destroy something I have invested millions in?

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

He doesn't even want to articulate it any further, because to explicate baldly and boldly might be to wound or to partially destroy something that is precious to him.

Independent

"There's a good chance that some day a majority of questions asked will be on the [Quora] platform," Thiel said, explaining that its success fit his vision of a world where an emerging technology didn't have to beat or destroy something else to be successful.

TechCrunch

Radical British Muslims wishing to attack and destroy something they belong to, crudely and violently represent something which comes from within rather than from without.

The Guardian - Opinion

To follow the anodyne commercialised route of other codes – the plastic inflatable clappers, the KFC buckets worn on heads for marketing purposes – is to not only destroy something special but to break with the rich and diverse history of football fan culture in Australia.

The Guardian - Sport

"Because he's so funny, he's the kind of person, if there was a mob that was going to try and destroy something, he's one of the few people you could send to stop the mob and, depending on the circumstances, he'd have a very good shot".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "to destroy something", consider the degree of destruction you want to convey and choose a more specific verb if needed, such as "demolish", "ruin", or "obliterate".

Common error

Avoid using "to destroy something" in every context where something is damaged or eliminated. Sometimes, words like "damage", "weaken", or "undermine" provide a more accurate and nuanced description.

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to destroy something" primarily functions as a verb complement, often indicating the intended action or purpose. Ludwig examples confirm its role in expressing the aim to cause damage or eliminate something, either physically or abstractly. Ludwig AI validates the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to destroy something" is a grammatically sound and frequently used infinitive phrase that functions as a verb complement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. While the phrase itself is straightforward, nuanced word choice is key to conveying the appropriate degree of destruction. It's commonly found in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Wiki articles, illustrating its widespread use across different contexts. By understanding its function and considering appropriate alternatives, writers can effectively communicate the intended meaning with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to demolish something

This alternative suggests a complete and often forceful destruction of a structure or object.

to ruin something

This implies severe damage that impairs the value or function of something.

to devastate something

This suggests widespread destruction causing significant emotional or physical damage.

to eradicate something

This means to completely eliminate something, often referring to a problem or disease.

to dismantle something

This refers to taking something apart, often systematically, leading to its non-functional state.

to shatter something

This implies breaking something into many pieces, often with force or impact.

to obliterate something

This indicates complete destruction to the point where nothing remains.

to wreck something

This suggests causing severe damage or ruin, often accidentally.

to eliminate something

This implies removing something completely, not necessarily through physical destruction.

to nullify something

This refers to making something invalid or without legal force, a more abstract form of destruction.

FAQs

How can I use "to destroy something" in a sentence?

You can use "to destroy something" in sentences like, "The fire threatened to destroy something valuable" or "Their goal was to destroy something beautiful".

What are some alternatives to "to destroy something"?

Some alternatives include "to demolish something", "to ruin something", or "to eradicate something" depending on the context.

Is it always negative to "to destroy something"?

While "to destroy something" often implies a negative action, it can sometimes be necessary for progress or renewal. For example, demolishing an old building /s/to+make+way+for+new+construction to make way for new construction.

What's the difference between "to destroy something" and "to damage something"?

"To destroy something" implies complete ruin or obliteration, while "to damage something" suggests partial harm or impairment. The degree of impact differs significantly.