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Preposition after adjective

Destructive to or destructive of?

Both destructive to and destructive of are correct, but they are used in slightly different ways.

Quick answer

Using destructive with prepositions

Use destructive to for harmful effects on someone or something. Use destructive of in more formal English to mean causing destruction of something.

destructive to the environment
destructive of public trust
destructive to mental health

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
destructive to + target

Showing harmful effects

Use to for things harmed by an action or behaviour.

Smoking is destructive to health
2
destructive of + thing destroyed

Formal expression of damage

Use of in formal or literary English.

Corruption is destructive of democracy

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
destructive to
The chemicals are destructive to marine life.
Standard and common for harmful effects.
destructive of
The policy was destructive of community ties.
Correct and more formal or literary.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using the wrong tone

Destructive of is grammatical but often sounds formal.

✓ The noise is destructive to concentration

Confusing object and effect

To highlights the target harmed; of highlights what is destroyed.

✓ The scandal was destructive of trust

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The fumes are destructive ___ human health.
2. The campaign was destructive ___ public confidence.
3. Choose the more formal construction.

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Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

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Frequently asked questions

Are both destructive to and destructive of correct?

Yes. Both are standard English.

Which is more common in everyday English?

Destructive to is more natural in everyday speech and writing.

When should I use destructive of?

Use it in formal or literary contexts when emphasising destruction itself.

daily, for, daily, with, daily, in damaging to, for, of, in or as? damn about, near, for, to or as? "dangerous for" or "dangerous to"? "dark in", "dark for" or "dark of"? "daunting for" or "daunting to"? dead in, on, by, at or of? deadly to, in, for, of or with? "deaf to" or "deaf in"? dear to, in, for, of or as? deceased in, to, for, at or on? "decent in" or "decent for"?

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