Cool MateDestroy vs You blow up the hospital
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Destroy
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
You blow up the hospital
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Destroy
| Destroy | You blow up the hospital | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈstrɔɪ/","/dɪˈstrɔɪz/","/dɪˈstrɔɪd/","/dɪˈstrɔɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈstrɔɪ/","/dɪˈstrɔɪz/","/dɪˈstrɔɪd/","/dɪˈstrɔɪɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //bloʊ ʌp//🇺🇸 //bloʊ ʌp// |
| Meaning | to completely ruin or cause something to no longer exist | To cause an explosion at the hospital. |
| Example | The storm can easily destroy buildings if it's strong enough. | The villain threatened to blow up the hospital if his demands were not met. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | completely, entirely, totally, can, could, etc., an attempt to destroy something, be capable of destroying something, be intent on destroying something, humanely, have to be destroyed | blow up a building, blow up in flames, threaten to blow up, plans to blow up, attempt to blow up |
| Antonyms | build, create, construct | - |
| Common mistakes | Using with a non-physical object, like 'destroy a feeling' - should say 'hurt' or 'damage'., Confusing with 'create' - opposite meanings but can confuse learners., Using in a passive voice incorrectly, like 'was destroyed by him' which can sound confusing. | Confused with 'blow up' as in 'inflate' a balloon., Using inappropriately in a serious context., Misunderstanding the literal vs. metaphorical use. |
| Usage notes | Use 'destroy' when referring to causing complete damage or ruin. It's suitable in most contexts but avoid using it lightly in casual conversations to describe minor damage, as it may sound overly dramatic. | This phrase is often used in contexts related to explosions or destruction. Be cautious using it in sensitive discussions about violence or emergencies. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Destroy vs You blow up the hospital
What's the difference between Destroy and You blow up the hospital?
Destroy: to completely ruin or cause something to no longer exist You blow up the hospital: To cause an explosion at the hospital.
Which is more common: Destroy and You blow up the hospital?
Destroy is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Destroy: The storm can easily destroy buildings if it's strong enough. You blow up the hospital: The villain threatened to blow up the hospital if his demands were not met.
Can I use Destroy and You blow up the hospital interchangeably?
Not always. Destroy and You blow up the hospital are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.