The spelling of the phrase "are destroyed" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first sound is the schwa /ə/ followed by the voiced alveolar fricative /ð/. The vowel sound in "destroyed" is the diphthong /ɔɪ/ which shifts from an open-mid back rounded vowel to a close-mid front unrounded vowel. The final sound is the voiceless dental fricative /t/. "Are destroyed" can be pronounced as /ər dɪˈstrɔɪd/.
"Are destroyed" is a verb phrase that refers to the act of causing severe damage or ruin to someone or something, resulting in their complete annihilation, downfall or disintegration. It indicates the state of being completely ruined or rendered useless.
When we say that something, be it physical objects, buildings, or even abstract concepts, "are destroyed", it implies that they have been subjected to destruction, leading to a condition where they can no longer serve their intended purpose or function. The process of destruction often involves intense force, violence, decay, or natural disasters such as fires, floods, earthquakes, or storms. It denotes a state of irreversible damage or loss.
In a broader context, "are destroyed" can also be used metaphorically to describe the devastation of intangible things such as relationships, dreams, careers, or plans. It signifies a state of complete failure, collapse, or eradication. The term emphasizes the finality and irreparability of the damage inflicted on the subject, highlighting the absence of any hope for recovery or restoration.
Overall, when we say that things, concepts, or beings "are destroyed", it encapsulates the profound state of ruin, decay, or collapse that has befallen them, representing the complete annihilation or cessation of their existence or functionality.
The phrase are destroyed is not a single word but a combination of words. The etymology of are destroyed originates from the English language:
- Are is the second-person plural and first- and third-person plural present tense of the verb to be. It comes from Old English eart and shares roots with similar words in other Germanic languages.
- Destroyed is the past participle of the verb destroy. It comes from Middle English destroien, which is derived from Old French destruire, ultimately tracing back to Latin destruere meaning to pull down, demolish.