What is ruin? Pronunciation and usage in English

Let's break down how to use the word "ruin" in English. It's a powerful word with multiple meanings, so understanding its nuances is key.

1. As a Verb (Most Common Use - To Destroy or Damage)

• Core Meaning: To damage or destroy something so badly that it's no longer useful or enjoyable.
• Examples:
  • "The storm ruined our picnic." (The picnic was damaged by the storm.)
  • "He ruined his chances of getting the job by being late for the interview." (His behavior negatively impacted his chances.)
  • "Poor planning can ruin a trip." (Poor planning can make a trip unpleasant or unsuccessful.)
  • "The constant arguing ruined their marriage." (The arguing severely damaged their relationship.)
  • "Don't let your mistakes ruin your confidence." (Don't allow your mistakes to damage your self-esteem.)

2. As a Noun (Referring to the Act of Destroying)

• Core Meaning: The act or instance of destroying or damaging something.
• Examples:
  • "He made a ruin of his career." (He destroyed his career, likely through poor choices.)
  • "The cave-in created a ruin of what was once a magnificent palace." (The collapse resulted in the remains of the palace.)
  • "They explored the ancient ruin of a Roman city." (This refers to the remains of the city – a physical structure that has been partially destroyed.)

3. Figurative/Idiomatic Uses

• "Ruin someone's life/happiness/day": To severely negatively impact someone's well-being.
  • "His betrayal completely ruined her life."
  • "A bad grade can ruin a student's day."
• "Ruin something for someone": To negatively affect someone's chances or opportunities.
  • "The traffic ruined my chances of making it to the meeting on time."

Key Considerations & Synonyms

• Severity: “Ruin” implies a significant loss or damage. Words like "damage," "harm," "destroy," "wreck," or "spoilt" can be less intense.
• Context is crucial: The specific meaning of "ruin" depends heavily on the context.

Here's a table summarizing the uses:

Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Verb	To destroy or damage	"The rain ruined the flowers."
Verb	To spoil or make something unpleasant	"Don't ruin the surprise!"
Noun	The act of destroying/damaging	"The old ruin stood on the hillside."
Idiomatic	To severely negatively affect	"He ruined her chances of success."

Resources for Further Learning:

• Merriam-Webster Dictionary: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ruin
• Oxford Learner's Dictionaries: https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/ruin

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

• What are you trying to use "ruin" in? (e.g., writing a story, a conversation, an essay?)