wreckage

/ˈrekɪdʒ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈrekɪdʒ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈre-kij/ (ame, mw)

wreckage — noun

1. the broken pieces that remain after a vehicle, building, or other large object h

1.名詞B2
釋義

the broken pieces that remain after a vehicle, building, or other large object has been severely damaged or destroyed

例句

Rescue workers searched the wreckage of the passenger plane for survivors.

collocation: search the wreckage of + vehicle

Pieces of wreckage from the train were scattered across the tracks for over a kilometre.

pattern: pieces of wreckage from + noun

同義詞
  • debris

    emphasises scattered pieces; used for a wider range of materials including natural or manufactured objects

  • rubble

    specifically refers to broken stones, bricks, and concrete from collapsed buildings

  • remains

    neutral term for what is left, often used for archaeological or historical sites

文法句型

the wreckage of + noun

pieces of wreckage

用法筆記

Typically uncountable (mass noun). Often followed by 'of' to specify what was destroyed — the wreckage of a car, plane, building, or ship.

常見錯誤

❌The wreckage of the ship was caused by a storm.
✅The wreck of the ship was caused by a storm.
💡'wreck' (n.) means the event of destruction; 'wreckage' means the physical broken remains.

2. the damaged or destroyed state that is left when a plan, relationship, career, o

2.名詞C1
釋義

the damaged or destroyed state that is left when a plan, relationship, career, or other aspect of life has gone badly wrong

例句

When the company closed, Sirin picked through the wreckage of her career and started again.

pattern: wreckage of + abstract noun (career)

The political scandal left a trail of wreckage that destroyed several reputations.

collocation: trail of wreckage

同義詞
  • aftermath

    focuses on the period following a disaster or failure rather than the remaining state

  • ruins

    more dramatic tone; can apply to both physical and metaphorical contexts

  • fallout

    emphasises the negative consequences or side effects rather than the remains themselves

文法句型

the wreckage of + abstract noun

用法筆記

Almost always used with 'of' followed by an abstract noun such as career, marriage, plans, reputation, or friendship. The sense is always figurative — no physical remains are involved.

常見錯誤

❌There was wreckage everywhere after the meeting.
✅The wreckage of the project was everywhere after the meeting.
💡In the figurative sense, always specify what was destroyed using 'of + abstract noun'.