a catastrophic amount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a catastrophic amount" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quantity that is overwhelmingly negative or disastrous in nature. Example: "The hurricane caused a catastrophic amount of damage to the coastal towns, leaving many families homeless."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Neither of them could release a catastrophic amount of methane (hundreds of Gtons) within a short time frame (a few years or less).

The New York Times

In 1953, a catastrophic amount of EA 1298 — a version of mescaline — had been injected into a patient named Harold Blauer, who had a violent reaction: shock, coma, and then death.

The New Yorker

Sanders, on the other hand, is losing the superdelegate race by a catastrophic amount.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The issue is important because climate experts have long worried that if Arctic permafrost thaws, the process would release potentially catastrophic amounts of methane into the atmosphere.

The New York Times

Operators fear that if they cannot establish control, despite increasingly desperate measures to do so, the reactors could experience full meltdowns, which would release catastrophic amounts of radiation.

The New York Times

The eruptions sent catastrophic amounts of carbon gas into the atmosphere and, ultimately, the oceans; that led to long-term ocean acidification, ocean warming and vast areas of oxygen-poor ocean water.

The New York Times - Science

Improves upon -- not eliminates the release of catastrophic amounts of radioactivity.

Huffington Post

Economists at UBS, a Swiss bank, have estimated that the cost of a catastrophic exit might amount to 40-50% of GDP in the first year.That figure assumes that Greece would have to leave the EU as well as the euro, and thus lose access to the single market.

The Economist

The judge said it amounted to a "catastrophic failure" that had misled the defendant.

BBC

The Crown Prosecution Service had argued that the assurance was given in error - but the judge said it amounted to a "catastrophic failure" that misled the defendant.

BBC

This study found that inverted OPV devices with thin silver electrodes exhibited a catastrophic failure with only modest amounts of thermal ageing – primarily driven by substantial increases in the series resistance and decreases in the fill factor of the devices.

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a catastrophic amount", ensure the context clearly establishes the nature of the catastrophe. Avoid vague or unsubstantiated claims of catastrophic impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a catastrophic amount" to describe situations that are merely inconvenient or undesirable. Reserve it for truly devastating scenarios to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a catastrophic amount" functions as a quantifier modifying a noun, indicating a quantity that is so large or impactful that it leads to disastrous or devastating consequences. As Ludwig AI highlights, its correct usage contributes to a forceful expression of severity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a catastrophic amount" is used to describe a quantity that is overwhelmingly negative and leads to disastrous outcomes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in formal and neutral contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While the phrase appears less frequently, its impact is significant when used appropriately. Ensure that the context warrants such strong language to avoid overstatement. Alternative phrases such as ""a disastrous quantity"" or ""an overwhelming quantity"" can be considered depending on the specific nuance intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a disastrous quantity

Replaces "catastrophic" with "disastrous", maintaining a negative connotation but with a slightly less severe tone.

an overwhelming quantity

Focuses on the sheer size or impact of the quantity, highlighting the sense of being overwhelmed.

a devastating volume

Emphasizes the destructive nature and scale of the amount.

a ruinous extent

Highlights the destructive consequences and scope of the amount.

a crippling measure

Focuses on the disabling or severely damaging impact of the amount.

an immense loss

Shifts the focus to the concept of loss, emphasizing the significance of what has been lost.

a critical mass

Implies a tipping point has been reached, leading to catastrophic outcomes.

a massive deluge

Suggests a sudden and overwhelming influx or outpouring of something negative.

an unprecedented surge

Highlights the exceptional and unusual nature of the amount, often implying a crisis.

an unmanageable burden

Emphasizes the difficulty or impossibility of dealing with the quantity, suggesting a sense of being overwhelmed and unable to cope.

FAQs

How can I use "a catastrophic amount" in a sentence?

Use "a catastrophic amount" to describe a quantity that leads to devastating consequences, such as "The flood caused "a catastrophic amount" of damage to the city".

What are some alternatives to "a catastrophic amount"?

Alternatives include "a disastrous quantity", "an overwhelming quantity", or "a devastating volume" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a catastrophic amount" in formal writing?

Yes, "a catastrophic amount" can be used in formal writing when describing situations of significant and devastating impact. However, ensure the context warrants such strong language.

What distinguishes "a catastrophic amount" from "a large amount"?

"A large amount" simply refers to a significant quantity. "A catastrophic amount", in contrast, implies that the quantity is so great it leads to disastrous outcomes.