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Correcting the chaos: why "wreck havoc" is a language misstep

Reviewed and edited by Lloyd Cooper 21/10/2024, 07:08
English.me team member

What kind of error is it?

Wreck havoc or wreak havoc. What's correct?

Spelling and idiomatic expression error

Why do people make this mistake?

People often confuse "wreck" with "wreak" because they sound somewhat similar and are both associated with destructive actions. The phrase "wreck havoc" seems to make intuitive sense to some, as "wreck" means to cause destruction.

What is correct?

The correct expression is "wreak havoc", where "wreak" means to cause or inflict, particularly in the context of causing chaos or destruction.

Examples of correct usage

  • The storm will wreak havoc on the coastal villages.
  • Decisions made in haste may wreak havoc on the company's future.
  • The virus wreaked havoc across the entire population.

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