totally ruined

USAGE SUMMARY

"totally ruined" is a valid and commonly used phrase in written English, and can be used to convey the idea that something has been destroyed or made irreparably bad.
For example: "Their relationship was totally ruined after a series of arguments and harsh words."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

The moment would not be totally ruined.

The New York Times - Sports

"They totally ruined the neighborhood," she said.

The New York Times

I better stop, before his reputation is totally ruined.

The Guardian

"It totally ruined my day at work," he said.

The New York Times

The announcement, she said, had "totally ruined my reputation".

The New York Times

"It totally ruined the moment, but I remember thinking, this is my first real park moment".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

"Damn it, Hollister, you're totally ruining casual Friday".

The New Yorker

Now you can totally ruin the surprise by leaving it under the tree wrapped in this.

Independent

I don't want to wear a stupid vest underneath my new blouse because it will totally ruin the line.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The absence of a Triple Crown candidate did not totally ruin yesterday's crowd, which was 67,810 in 95-degree weather.

The New York Times - Sports

For one thing, it would totally ruin my hopes of becoming the next person to be appointed lieutenant governor of New York when something untoward happens yet again in Albany.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "totally ruined" consider the audience and context to ensure it aligns with the desired tone. It can sometimes come across as hyperbolic in formal settings.

Common error

While "totally ruined" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overuse in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise language such as "completely destroyed" or "irreparably damaged" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "totally ruined" functions as a modifier and verb construction. "Totally" acts as an adverb intensifying the verb "ruined", indicating the completeness of the action. Ludwig provides examples of this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "totally ruined" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe something that is completely destroyed or damaged beyond repair. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. While suitable for general usage, it's advisable to consider more formal synonyms like "completely destroyed" or "irreparably damaged" in academic or professional contexts. The phrase functions as an adverb-verb construction, with "totally" intensifying the meaning of "ruined", and is most frequently found in news and media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely destroyed

Emphasizes the thoroughness of the destruction.

utterly devastated

Highlights the emotional impact and extent of the damage.

irreparably damaged

Focuses on the inability to fix or restore something.

irreversibly spoiled

Implies that something has been tainted or corrupted beyond recovery.

thoroughly wrecked

Suggests a violent and complete destruction.

completely annihilated

Conveys total obliteration or eradication.

entirely wrecked

Stresses the completeness of the destruction.

irretrievably lost

Focuses on the inability to recover something that was valuable.

hopelessly flawed

Suggests that something has a fundamental defect that cannot be corrected.

fatally compromised

Implies that something has been damaged to the point where it will inevitably fail.

FAQs

What does "totally ruined" mean?

The phrase "totally ruined" means something is completely destroyed or damaged beyond repair. It emphasizes the thoroughness and finality of the damage.

What can I say instead of "totally ruined"?

You can use alternatives like "completely destroyed", "utterly devastated", or "irreparably damaged" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "totally ruined" in formal writing?

While "totally ruined" is widely understood, it may be too informal for some formal contexts. Consider using more precise and professional alternatives like "entirely wrecked" or "irreversibly spoiled".

How can I use "totally ruined" in a sentence?

You can use "totally ruined" to describe something that is irreversibly damaged. For example, "The storm totally ruined our garden" or "His reputation was totally ruined after the scandal".