a calamitous effect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a calamitous effect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a disastrous or catastrophic outcome resulting from an action or event. Example: "The sudden economic downturn had a calamitous effect on small businesses across the country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"It has had a calamitous effect on converted peoples.

The Guardian

The impact of the melting Arctic may have a calamitous effect on the planet.

The Economist

The writer compared the religion to colonialism, saying Islam "has had a calamitous effect on converted peoples.

The Guardian - Books

Coalition cuts to the Sure Start budget could have a calamitous effect, too: as he left, a chastened Clegg was handed a stack of "Please Don't Close Our Centre" cards made by the children.

Independent

A shocking passage even when read in the knowledge of its outcome, it is one of Freeling's best pieces of writing (the critic Grey Gowrie describes Freeling as one of the finest writers of atmospheric weather) but it had a calamitous effect on his career.

The Guardian - Books

For Ms. Cueva, a Honduran-American who has spent the past decade turning her parents' cattle ranch into a getaway featuring yoga classes, horseback rides and Mayan food for a modern palate, the political turmoil in Honduras has had a calamitous effect on bookings.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

To avoid a calamitous outcome from B. anthracis infection, the humoral immune system needs to respond rapidly and effectively to limit or prevent pathogenic effects of anthrax toxins.

Plosone

It's not a stretch to suggest that his absence, both on the field and especially on the bases, creates a calamitous ripple effect, with each man trying to make up for what Reyes cannot provide.

The New Yorker

In a recent reading in London, he condemned Islam's "calamitous effect" and compared it to Western colonialism.

The New York Times

In the wake of the Iraq war, intervention became a dirty word, at least in the west – and arguably to calamitous effect.

The Guardian

At a reading in London last week, he condemned what he called the "calamitous effect" of Islam and compared it to colonialism: "To be converted you have to destroy your past, destroy your history.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a calamitous effect", ensure the context clearly establishes the event or situation causing the disastrous outcome. Strong verbs help emphasize the severity of the effect.

Common error

Avoid using "a calamitous effect" in casual conversation or informal writing. The phrase is formal and may sound overly dramatic in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a calamitous effect" functions as a noun phrase, serving as the direct object or subject complement in a sentence. It describes the consequence or outcome of a particular action or event, emphasizing its disastrous nature. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a calamitous effect" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe outcomes with devastating or disastrous consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and can be employed to express severity and negative impacts. While it appears more frequently in formal contexts like News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business documents, it's important to consider the formality of your writing and audience to ensure appropriate usage. Alternatives such as "a catastrophic impact" or "a devastating consequence" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a catastrophic impact

Replaces "calamitous" with "catastrophic", emphasizing the scale of the disaster.

a devastating consequence

Substitutes "calamitous" with "devastating", highlighting the emotional distress caused.

a ruinous outcome

Replaces "calamitous" with "ruinous", stressing the destructive nature of the effect.

a disastrous result

Uses "disastrous" instead of "calamitous", a more common and readily understood term.

a tragic fallout

Replaces "effect" with "fallout", implying negative repercussions following an event.

a grave repercussion

Substitutes "calamitous" with "grave" and "effect" with "repercussion", indicating a serious and far-reaching consequence.

a dire consequence

Replaces "calamitous" with "dire", highlighting the urgency and severity of the effect.

a severe impact

Uses "severe" instead of "calamitous", toning down the dramatic impact slightly.

a harmful consequence

Replaces "calamitous" with "harmful", focusing on the damaging nature of the effect.

an adverse effect

Uses "adverse" instead of "calamitous", a more neutral and less emotionally charged term.

FAQs

How can I use "a calamitous effect" in a sentence?

Use "a calamitous effect" to describe something with disastrous or devastating consequences. For example, "The oil spill had "a calamitous effect" on the local marine life".

What can I say instead of "a calamitous effect"?

You can use alternatives like "a catastrophic impact", "a devastating consequence", or "a disastrous result", depending on the context.

Is "calamitous effect" a formal or informal phrase?

"Calamitous effect" is generally considered a formal phrase. In more casual settings, alternatives like "a bad effect" or "a terrible result" may be more appropriate.

What distinguishes "a calamitous effect" from "a significant effect"?

"A calamitous effect" describes a disastrous or devastating consequence, whereas "a significant effect" simply indicates an important or noteworthy outcome, without necessarily being negative.