Grammar fix
demolish
destroy a building
To deliberately destroy a building or structure completely.
How oftenCommon
LevelB2
Used inSpeech & writing
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
The council plans to demolish the empty factory and build a health centre on the site.
Several old buildings in my town were demolished to make room for a new transport hub, although some residents were unhappy about it.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: They demolished down the old cinema.
Say: They demolished the old cinema.
'Demolish' already means destroy completely, so it is not followed by 'down'.
Don't confuse it
Other ways to say it
Destroy an old building
How formalEverydayMore formal
knock downEveryday conversation about removing an unwanted building.tear downEveryday conversation, especially American, about removing a building.
demolishYou're here · A precise word for deliberately destroying a building.