Destroy – English Verbs Conjugation

destroy destroys destroying destroyed

Destroy means to damage beyond repair or put an end to. Regular verb: destroy-destroyed-destroyed.

Meanings

To damage completely
To put an end to
To ruin

Common Collocations

destroy evidence destroy the environment completely destroyed destroy reputation self-destruct

Tip for Learners

Destroy implies complete elimination. Destruction is the noun. Self-destruct means to destroy oneself.

Present Simple

I	destroy
you	destroy
he/she/it	destroys
we	destroy
they	destroy

Examples - Present Simple

I destroy old documents for security.
You destroy your chances with that attitude.
He destroys his opponents in chess.
We destroy expired products.
They destroy evidence illegally.

Present Continuous

I	am destroying
you	are destroying
he/she/it	is destroying
we	are destroying
they	are destroying

Examples - Present Continuous

I am destroying the old files now.
You are destroying your health with stress.
She is destroying the competition.
We are destroying outdated inventory.
They are destroying the environment.

Present Perfect

I	have destroyed
you	have destroyed
he/she/it	has destroyed
we	have destroyed
they	have destroyed

Examples - Present Perfect

I have destroyed all the sensitive documents.
You have destroyed your credibility.
He has destroyed every record this season.
We have destroyed the contaminated samples.
They have destroyed countless habitats.

Present Perfect Continuous

I	have been destroying
you	have been destroying
he/she/it	has been destroying
we	have been destroying
they	have been destroying

Examples - Present Perfect Continuous

I have been destroying old files all day.
You have been destroying your relationships.
She has been destroying opponents all tournament.
We have been destroying inventory for hours.
They have been destroying forests for decades.

Past Simple

I	destroyed
you	destroyed
he/she/it	destroyed
we	destroyed
they	destroyed

Examples - Past Simple

I destroyed the letter after reading it.
You destroyed your chances with that remark.
He destroyed the evidence before the trial.
We destroyed the defective products.
They destroyed the city during the war.

Past Continuous

I	was destroying
you	were destroying
he/she/it	was destroying
we	were destroying
they	were destroying

Examples - Past Continuous

I was destroying documents when you called.
You were destroying your reputation unknowingly.
She was destroying records all afternoon.
We were destroying samples during the inspection.
They were destroying evidence when caught.

Past Perfect

I	had destroyed
you	had destroyed
he/she/it	had destroyed
we	had destroyed
they	had destroyed

Examples - Past Perfect

I had destroyed the files before the audit.
You had destroyed trust before realizing it.
He had destroyed the records before the investigation.
We had destroyed the evidence before they arrived.
They had destroyed the village before the rescue.

Past Perfect Continuous

I	had been destroying
you	had been destroying
he/she/it	had been destroying
we	had been destroying
they	had been destroying

Examples - Past Perfect Continuous

I had been destroying documents for hours.
You had been destroying relationships for years.
She had been destroying competition all season.
We had been destroying inventory before the order.
They had been destroying the environment for decades.

Future Simple

I	will destroy
you	will destroy
he/she/it	will destroy
we	will destroy
they	will destroy

Examples - Future Simple

I will destroy these files after the project.
You will destroy your chances if you lie.
He will destroy the competition.
We will destroy all expired medicines.
They will destroy the old building.

Future Continuous

I	will be destroying
you	will be destroying
he/she/it	will be destroying
we	will be destroying
they	will be destroying

Examples - Future Continuous

I will be destroying records all afternoon.
You will be destroying yourself with that lifestyle.
She will be destroying opponents all tournament.
We will be destroying samples throughout the week.
They will be destroying habitats for years.

Future Perfect

I	will have destroyed
you	will have destroyed
he/she/it	will have destroyed
we	will have destroyed
they	will have destroyed

Examples - Future Perfect

I will have destroyed all files by deadline.
You will have destroyed your health by then.
He will have destroyed every record by season end.
We will have destroyed all obsolete inventory.
They will have destroyed the ecosystem by then.

Future Perfect Continuous

I	will have been destroying
you	will have been destroying
he/she/it	will have been destroying
we	will have been destroying
they	will have been destroying

Examples - Future Perfect Continuous

I will have been destroying records for hours.
You will have been destroying your body for years.
She will have been destroying competition all season.
We will have been destroying inventory for days.
They will have been destroying forests for centuries.