a considerable understatement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a considerable understatement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation or statement that significantly downplays the reality or severity of something. Example: "Saying that the storm caused some damage is a considerable understatement; entire neighborhoods were flooded."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

That this came as something of a shock is a considerable understatement.

The Guardian

Kate Allen, UK director of Amnesty International, said Xi's comments about improving human rights were welcome but "a considerable understatement".

The Guardian

"We stressed a defense-first approach, but I think we got away from it tonight," Blackhawks Coach Joel Quenneville said in a considerable understatement.

The New York Times

Astounding as it may seem, the fact is that President Roosevelt's "one-third of a nation" was a considerable understatement; over two-thirds of us then lived below the poverty line, as is shown by the tables that follow.

The New Yorker

"In a difficult process of such high visibility, with so many interested parties, perhaps not everyone will be happy," said Bernadette Castro, New York State commissioner of parks, recreation and historic preservation, in what may prove to be a considerable understatement.

The New York Times

To say this film is a little unusual is a considerable understatement.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Mr. Wiatt spoke with considerable understatement.

The New York Times

Infinite Patience Students of all ages and backgrounds study with Mr. Cowhick, whose faith in golf as a sport that almost anyone can learn sufficiently to enjoy makes him a teacher of considerable understatement and apparently infinite patience.

The New York Times - Arts

His tale is a lively one, peppered with arresting first-person quotations, and it never takes too long to immerse readers in what he calls, with considerable understatement, "a big story".

The New York Times - Books

"When I walked through the door the situation I found wasn't quite what I was expecting," Hughes said a few days ago with considerable understatement.

The Guardian - Sport

As Child puts it, with considerable understatement, "We were a good team".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a considerable understatement" to subtly emphasize the true extent of a situation without being overly dramatic. It is effective when the audience is already somewhat aware of the circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "a considerable understatement" too frequently, as it can lose its impact. Use it sparingly to highlight especially significant discrepancies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a considerable understatement" functions as a commentary or evaluative expression. It serves to highlight the discrepancy between a statement and the reality it describes. Ludwig's examples showcase its common use in news and media to provide nuanced critique.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a considerable understatement" is a phrase used to indicate that a statement is significantly less impactful than the actual situation warrants. Ludwig AI classifies it as grammatically correct and shows its prevalence in news and media sources. While not extremely common, it provides a subtle way to emphasize the true extent of a situation. When using this phrase, ensure it's in a context where the audience has some awareness of the true circumstances to maximize its effect. Alternatives like ""a significant understatement"" or ""a gross understatement"" can be used to adjust the level of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant understatement

Replaces "considerable" with "significant", emphasizing the importance of the understatement.

a gross understatement

Uses "gross" to indicate a larger degree of understatement.

a serious understatement

Substitutes "considerable" with "serious", highlighting the weighty nature of the understatement.

a vast understatement

Employs "vast" to stress the expansive difference between what is said and the reality.

a major understatement

Replaces "considerable" with "major", indicating a substantial degree of understatement.

a mild understatement

Contrasts with the original by suggesting a small degree of understatement.

a restrained description

Shifts focus from the understatement to the act of describing something in a limited way.

a minimized explanation

Focuses on the explanation being reduced in scope or importance.

an understated assessment

Highlights that the assessment is less emphatic than warranted.

an exercise in understatement

Presents the act of understatement as a deliberate action or technique.

FAQs

How can I use "a considerable understatement" in a sentence?

You can use "a considerable understatement" to describe a situation where someone is downplaying the severity or significance of something. For example: "To say the company faced challenges this year is "a considerable understatement"; they nearly went bankrupt."

What are some alternatives to "a considerable understatement"?

Alternatives to "a considerable understatement" include "a significant understatement", "a gross understatement", or "a serious understatement". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a considerable understatement"?

It's appropriate to use "a considerable understatement" when you want to emphasize that the actual situation is far more extreme or important than it is being portrayed. It is most effective when the audience has some prior knowledge of the situation.

What's the difference between "a considerable understatement" and "an understatement"?

"An understatement" simply means something is being presented as less significant than it is. Adding "considerable" intensifies this, implying the difference between the stated and actual situation is notably large. Therefore, using ""a considerable understatement"" is more emphatic.