was demolished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was demolished" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event where a structure or building has been destroyed or taken down in the past. Example: "The old factory was demolished to make way for a new shopping center."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The house was demolished.

The New York Times

Eventually it was demolished.

The New Yorker

Concert Grove House was demolished.

The New York Times - Arts

The bungalow was demolished.

The New York Times

His house was demolished.

The Guardian

The deli was demolished.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was demolished in 1936.

The New York Times

- was demolished by Richard Dawkins.

The Guardian

House was demolished in 1994.

The Guardian - Arts

The theatre was demolished in 1988.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Its castle was demolished in 1495.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was demolished" to clearly and concisely indicate that a structure has been completely destroyed or removed. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "was demolished" repeatedly in descriptive passages. Vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "razed", "torn down", or "destroyed" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was demolished" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject (usually a building or structure) underwent the action of being demolished. This construction shifts the focus from the actor (the one doing the demolishing) to the recipient of the action (the thing being demolished). As indicated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Encyclopedias

24%

Wiki

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was demolished" is a common and grammatically sound passive voice construction used to describe the act of something being destroyed, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its usage spans across various contexts, from news reports to encyclopedia entries, reflecting a neutral register. While alternatives like "was torn down" or "was razed" exist, "was demolished" provides a clear and concise way to communicate the complete destruction of a structure. Be mindful of overuse in descriptive writing and diversify your vocabulary when appropriate. Also, the phrase is "Very common" due to its many examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was torn down

Implies a forceful removal, often piece by piece.

was razed

Suggests complete leveling to the ground.

was destroyed

A general term for rendering something unusable.

was leveled

Similar to 'razed', implying making something flat.

was dismantled

Indicates careful taking apart, often for reuse of components.

was knocked down

Suggests a forceful impact leading to collapse.

was taken down

A more general term for removal.

was pulled down

Implies a vertical force used in destruction.

was wrecked

Suggests violent and chaotic destruction.

was eliminated

Broader term implying something being removed or terminated, not necessarily physical destruction.

FAQs

How to use "was demolished" in a sentence?

Use "was demolished" to indicate that something has been completely destroyed or taken down. For example, "The old building was demolished to make way for a new park."

What can I say instead of "was demolished"?

You can use alternatives like "was torn down", "was razed", or "was destroyed" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "was demolished" or "has been demolished"?

Both "was demolished" and "has been demolished" are grammatically correct. "Was demolished" refers to a completed action in the past, while "has been demolished" indicates an action completed at some point before now with relevance to the present.

What's the difference between "was demolished" and "was dismantled"?

"Was demolished" implies complete destruction, while "was dismantled" suggests a careful taking apart, often with the intention of reusing components.