were destroyed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were destroyed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was completely ruined or eliminated in the past. Example: "The ancient ruins were destroyed by an earthquake many centuries ago."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Were destroyed.

The Guardian - Books

Forty villages were destroyed.

The New York Times

Many churches were destroyed.

The New York Times

Government offices were destroyed.

The New York Times

The mines were destroyed.

The New York Times

Which were destroyed?

University of California, Berkeley

Others were destroyed.

The New York Times

Two hospitals were destroyed.

The Economist

Both vehicles were destroyed.

The Guardian

Several houses were destroyed.

The New York Times

Office files were destroyed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were destroyed", ensure the subject clearly indicates what experienced the destruction. Clarity avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's impact.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions like "were destroyed" if an active voice provides more directness and clarity. Sometimes, specifying the agent of destruction makes the sentence more informative and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were destroyed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject received the action of being destroyed by an unnamed agent. It is used to describe a state of ruin or obliteration as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

18%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were destroyed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction employed to describe the complete ruin or elimination of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a versatile phrase suitable for various contexts, but paying attention to voice and clarity ensures effective communication. Its prevalence across news, academic, and general sources underscores its broad applicability and understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were annihilated

Emphasizes complete obliteration and total destruction.

were obliterated

Highlights the complete removal or covering up of something, implying total destruction.

were demolished

Focuses on the act of tearing down or wrecking a structure or building.

were ruined

Indicates severe damage that makes something unusable or worthless.

were wrecked

Suggests violent damage, often associated with accidents or crashes.

were devastated

Highlights the emotional impact and widespread damage caused by a destructive event.

were dismantled

Focuses on the careful taking apart of something, rather than violent destruction.

were terminated

Emphasizes the ending or cessation of something, often in a formal or official context.

were consumed

Suggests destruction by fire or some other engulfing force.

were eradicated

Implies the complete removal or elimination of something, often used in the context of diseases or pests.

FAQs

How can I use "were destroyed" in a sentence?

Use "were destroyed" to describe something that has been ruined or eliminated. For example, "The ancient buildings "were destroyed" during the war".

What's a more impactful way to say "were destroyed"?

Consider using "were annihilated" or "were obliterated" to emphasize the completeness of the destruction.

Is it always better to use an active voice instead of passive "were destroyed"?

Not always. While active voice is often more direct, passive voice like "were destroyed" is useful when the actor is unknown, unimportant, or when you want to emphasize the object that was affected.

What is the difference between "were destroyed" and "were damaged"?

"Were destroyed" implies complete ruin, rendering something unusable. "Were damaged", on the other hand, suggests that something is harmed but may still be repairable or functional to some extent.