Comments on: Razed to the Ground

By: Barbara Sparling

Barbara Sparling — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:57:47 +0000

I always understood that “razed to the ground” actually meant burnt to the ground (i.e. burned completely out so there was nothing left). However, I can see that “razed” is a corruption of razored so suppose my original concept was inaccurate, although not wrong necessrily

By: Bill Sandifer

Bill Sandifer — Wed, 19 May 2010 13:54:47 +0000

There may be fine distinctions between American and British English, but Merriam-Webster defines raze as “to destroy to the ground.” As an English major and lifelong writer, I was always taught that as well. Broadcasters in both countries have hijacked the language through overwriting and unnecessary emphasis. Commonly heard on BBC is “surrounded on three sides,” which makes my skin crawl. It has now infested much of American broadcasting as well, “completely destroying” any finesse. Almost all writers now use that description which is also redundant. If it’s not destroyed then it’s damaged. Destruction is complete, rendering the addition of “completely” redundant. Let the language speak for itself.

By: umber

umber — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 16:39:14 +0000

I don’t think grandma has much of a case for this one. Razed means torn down, or destroyed, but not necessarily all the way to the ground. This isn’t nearly as clearly redundant as the “Capitol building” or “gather together” or “circle around” that we hear all the time.

By: Paul Russell

Paul Russell — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:23:28 +0000

@Daniel: I’m with Deborah’s Grandmother on this one. It’s like our local Formula 1 commentator who insists on saying “the softer of the two compounds” when discussing tires. I think “of the two” is as redundant as “to the ground.”

By: Daniel Scocco

Daniel Scocco — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:29:53 +0000

@Paul Russel, I believe the phrase is correct. The “to the ground” part acts as an intensifier. That is, razing a building would imply that you destroyed it, but razing it “to the ground” implies that you completely destroyed it.