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Phrasal verbs "burn down" vs "tear down"

Differences between burn down and tear down

Burn down means to destroy a building or structure by fire, while tear down means to demolish or dismantle a building or structure.

Meanings and Definitions: burn down vs tear down

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Burn down

  • 1Burn completely.

    They had to completely rebuild the museum after the old one BURNED DOWN.

Tear down

  • 1Demolish.

    The estate was TORN DOWN so that they could develop the land into luxury flats.

Usage Examples: burn down, tear down in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

burn down

Example

The old barn burned down after being struck by lightning.

Example

If the fire isn't controlled, the entire forest burns down.

tear down

Example

They plan to tear down the old factory.

Example

The construction company tears down old buildings to make way for new ones.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Burn down

destroy by fire

To cause a building or structure to be destroyed by fire.

Example

The old factory was destroyed by fire last night, leaving many people without jobs.

go up in flames

To be destroyed by fire, especially quickly and completely.

Example

The entire house went up in flames within minutes, leaving nothing but ashes behind.

set ablaze

To intentionally start a fire that causes a building or structure to be destroyed.

Example

The arsonist set ablaze several buildings in the downtown area, causing widespread damage.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Tear down

demolish

To completely destroy a building or structure, usually with heavy machinery.

Example

The city council voted to demolish the old stadium and build a new one in its place.

knock down

To cause a building or structure to collapse or be destroyed, usually with force.

Example

The strong winds knocked down several trees and power lines during the storm.

take apart

To disassemble or dismantle a structure or object into its individual parts.

Example

He spent the entire weekend taking apart his old car and rebuilding it from scratch.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “burn”

Phrasal Verbs with “tear”

Differences in burn down vs tear down: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: burn down or tear down?

In everyday conversation, tear down is more common than burn down. This is because tear down is used more frequently in a variety of contexts, such as construction and renovation, while burn down is a more specific and less common occurrence.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of burn down and tear down

Burn down and tear down are both informal phrases that are suitable for casual conversations. However, in more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more professional tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of burn down and tear down

The tone of burn down and tear down can differ based on context. Burn down often carries a serious or tragic tone, especially when referring to the destruction of a building or property. On the other hand, tear down typically has a more neutral or practical tone, especially when referring to construction or renovation projects.

burn down & tear down: Synonyms and Antonyms

Burn down

Synonyms

Tear down

Synonyms

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