was ruined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was ruined" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been damaged or destroyed in the past. Example: "The old building was ruined after the storm, leaving only debris behind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The elevator was ruined.

The New York Times

His career was ruined.

The New York Times - Books

Equipment was ruined.

The New York Times

But Sutherland's day was ruined.

The New Yorker

"I was ruined for life".

The New York Times

Everything he touched was ruined.

The New Yorker

His career was ruined.

The Guardian - Music

My peace was ruined.

The Guardian - Travel

The film was ruined.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Our house was ruined".

The Guardian

It was ruined.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was ruined" to describe something that has been damaged or destroyed to the point of being unusable or beyond repair. Consider the context to choose a more specific verb if the nuance of the damage is important. For example, use "was shattered" for something that broke suddenly or "was devastated" for something with emotional impact.

Common error

While "was ruined" is acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "was irreparably damaged" or "was rendered unusable" in academic or professional writing to convey greater precision and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was ruined" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence underwent an action that resulted in its destruction or severe damage. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase follows standard grammatical rules. Examples show its use in describing damaged objects, spoiled plans, and destroyed reputations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

10%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was ruined" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to describe a state of destruction or severe damage. As Ludwig AI confirms, it adheres to standard grammatical rules. It appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, indicating its widespread use in describing events and their negative consequences. While alternatives like "was destroyed" or "was devastated" may be more appropriate depending on the context, "was ruined" remains a versatile and widely understood expression for conveying that something has been irreparably damaged or rendered unusable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

got destroyed

Focuses on the act of destruction itself, rather than the resulting state.

was devastated

Suggests a more profound and emotional impact of the destruction.

was wrecked

Implies severe damage or destruction, often in a physical sense.

was spoiled

Indicates that something was made unusable or undesirable, often in a less severe way.

was impaired

Suggests a reduction in quality or functionality due to damage.

went awry

Indicates a failure or deviation from the intended course, often in plans or projects.

fell apart

Implies a gradual deterioration or disintegration.

was shattered

Suggests a sudden and forceful destruction, often with emotional implications.

was obliterated

Indicates complete and utter destruction, leaving nothing behind.

was damaged beyond repair

Highlights the impossibility of fixing the damage.

FAQs

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

You can use "was ruined" to describe something that has been severely damaged or destroyed. For example, "The cake "was ruined" when I dropped it" or "His reputation "was ruined" by the scandal".

What are some alternatives to "was ruined"?

Some alternatives include "was destroyed", "was devastated", "was wrecked", or "was spoiled", depending on the context and the degree of damage.

Is it correct to say "got ruined" instead of "was ruined"?

While "got ruined" is sometimes used, "was ruined" is generally considered more grammatically correct and is preferred in formal writing. "Got ruined" is more common in informal speech.

What's the difference between "was ruined" and "was damaged"?

"Was damaged" implies that something has been harmed but is not necessarily unusable, whereas ""was ruined"" suggests a more complete destruction or impairment that renders it unusable or irreparable. Something that "was damaged" may be repairable, but something that "was ruined" typically is not.