utterly ruined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly ruined" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been completely destroyed or rendered unusable, often in a dramatic or emphatic way. Example: "After the storm, the once beautiful garden was utterly ruined, with fallen trees and flooded flower beds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

We are utterly ruined".

The Guardian

Parts of Alabama were utterly ruined, but most of the state was untouched.

The Economist

"If we are victorious in one more battle … we shall be utterly ruined".

The Guardian

Pyrrhus said reflectively, 'If we are victorious in one more battle with the Romans, we shall be utterly ruined'".

The Guardian

"We have lost seven provinces," he exclaimed to a German ally, "hecatombs of our people have been sacrificed, and our economy has been utterly ruined".

The Guardian - Books

Now that he is gone (although he may yet try to come back) Yemen is so utterly ruined that the upheaval following his departure is as likely to kill the economy as to cure it.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Often enough, God gives a man a glimpse of happiness, and then utterly ruins him".

The New York Times - Science

Finish dinner by 11 p.m., though, before the dance music starts blaring from the club next door, utterly ruining the sand-in-your-toes tranquillity.

The New York Times - Travel

I think it would be surprising if the opinions of locals played any real part in the major decisions we are awaiting – on a runway and on fracking – even if these activities could utterly ruin their lives.

The Guardian

It was obvious in their saner moments to many who had helped the Italian to finish that they were thereby utterly ruining his chances of any place at all in the race.

The Guardian - Sport

Vintage apprised Amazon of the breach by Wednesday morning; after remaining up long enough to utterly ruin our desire to relax through the art of adult coloring, the listing for the instant bestseller has been reverted to the correct image and text.  .

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly ruined" to emphasize the completeness of the destruction or the severity of the damage. It adds a dramatic flair to your writing, making it suitable for situations where you want to highlight the extent of the devastation.

Common error

Avoid using "utterly ruined" in technical or scientific writing where precise language is required. Instead, opt for more neutral terms like "completely destroyed" or "irreparably damaged" to maintain objectivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly ruined" functions as a descriptive expression, where the adverb "utterly" intensifies the verb "ruined". As Ludwig confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase. It describes a state of complete destruction or devastation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "utterly ruined" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies complete destruction or devastation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and can be used in written English. While versatile, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. When writing, use it to emphasize the extent of damage, but avoid overuse in technical contexts. Alternatives like "completely destroyed" or "totally devastated" may be more suitable in certain situations. Finally, as Ludwig suggests, it is suitable for journalistic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely destroyed

Focuses on the state of being destroyed without necessarily emphasizing the extent of the damage, but is a close synonym.

totally devastated

Emphasizes the emotional impact and thoroughness of the destruction, similar to "utterly ruined".

irreparably damaged

Highlights the inability to repair or restore something that has been damaged.

completely wrecked

Shares a similar meaning of being severely damaged or destroyed.

irretrievably lost

Focuses on the inability to recover or regain something that has been lost.

thoroughly wrecked

Similar to "completely wrecked" but emphasizes the thoroughness of the destruction.

hopelessly impaired

Emphasizes a negative impact and an irreversible damage or obstacle.

fatally flawed

Highlights a critical defect that leads to failure or ruin.

irreversibly altered

Focuses on the permanent change or damage caused.

permanently damaged

Like "irreparably damaged" but does not suggest that it cannot be restored.

FAQs

What does "utterly ruined" mean?

"Utterly ruined" means completely destroyed or devastated. It emphasizes the thoroughness of the destruction or damage.

What can I say instead of "utterly ruined"?

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

Is "utterly ruined" formal or informal?

"Utterly ruined" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but is often preferred in journalistic writing.

How do you use "utterly ruined" in a sentence?

You can use "utterly ruined" in a sentence like this: "After the hurricane, the coastline was "utterly ruined"."