a devastating amount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a devastating amount" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quantity that has a severe or overwhelming impact, often in a negative context. Example: "The hurricane caused a devastating amount of damage to the coastal towns, leaving many families homeless."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Ms. Holtzman was fined $7,500, not a devastating amount, but being a banner public servant is all about reputation, reputation, reputation.

The New York Times

And even in those plans with reasonable limits, annual out-of-pocket costs can add up to a devastating amount if you are seriously ill for an extended period of time.

The New York Times - Health

But it's still a devastating amount of warming: At 1.5 degrees of warming compared to 2 degrees of warming, 90percentt of coral reefs will bleach, as opposed to 98percentt.

Vice

In real dollar terms, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), this would mean a loss in benefits of about $90 a month, a devastating amount of money for millions of struggling families including 190,000 low-income families in New York City and nearly 300,000 throughout New York State.

HuffPost

These bombs will inflict a devastating amount of damage if detonated next to an enemy.

WikiHow

Used when you need to deliver a devastating amount of firepower and the enemy is very close.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It is a potentially devastating amount, and its impact for us would be real and far-reaching.

Huffington Post

Ken Griffey Jr. and Matt Williams -- two of the game's most popular, consistent and scandal-free stars -- suffered devastating injuries that removed them from the marquee for an equally devastating amount of time.

The New York Times - Sports

At the same time, I'm struck again and again by the sheer audacity of fraudsters and by the devastating amount of money investors lose.

Columbia University

3 50 p.m. | Updated Hurricane Irene's predicted track, and rainfall potential, have some similarity to those of Hurricane Floyd, which dumped devastating amounts of rain in the Northeast in 1999 after it weakened to tropical storm strength following landfall near Cape Fear, N.C.

The New York Times

They exposed cultures of E. coli to devastating amounts of ionizing radiation, isolated those that managed to survive, and repeated this process.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a devastating amount", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being measured and the negative impact associated with that quantity. Providing specific examples or comparisons can strengthen the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a devastating amount" when the impact is only moderately negative or the quantity is not particularly large. Overusing such strong language diminishes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a devastating amount" functions primarily as a quantifier, modifying a noun to indicate a substantial quantity that has severely negative consequences. As supported by Ludwig's analysis, it denotes something that causes significant harm or destruction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

16%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a devastating amount" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a quantity that inflicts significant harm or damage. While Ludwig indicates that it's generally correct, it's crucial to use it judiciously, ensuring the context warrants the strong negative connotation. It is mostly seen across news and media and, to a lesser extent, on wikis and academic writing. When using the phrase, consider alternatives like "a catastrophic quantity" or "a ruinous sum" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. By understanding its purpose and contexts, you can effectively use "a devastating amount" to communicate the severity of a situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a catastrophic quantity

Emphasizes the disastrous consequences of the amount.

a ruinous sum

Highlights the destructive nature of the sum, particularly in financial contexts.

an appalling quantity

Stresses the shocking or horrifying nature of the amount.

a calamitous extent

Focuses on the disastrous scope or magnitude.

a grievous magnitude

Emphasizes the severity and seriousness of the magnitude.

a terrible proportion

Highlights the alarming or frightening ratio or scale.

an extreme measure

Indicates that the degree is far from ordinary or average.

a substantial volume

Implies a large quantity or capacity.

a significant degree

Highlights the importance of the extent or level.

a massive quantity

Focuses on the large size or scale of the amount.

FAQs

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

You can use "a devastating amount" to describe a quantity that causes significant harm or damage. For example, "The flood caused "a devastating amount" of damage to the city infrastructure".

What are some alternatives to "a devastating amount"?

Some alternatives include "a catastrophic quantity", "a ruinous sum", or "an appalling quantity". The best choice depends on the specific context.

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

Yes, "a devastating amount" can be used in formal writing, especially when describing serious or critical situations. However, ensure that the tone aligns with the overall purpose and audience.

What is the difference between "a devastating amount" and "a significant amount"?

"A significant amount" simply indicates that the quantity is noteworthy. "A devastating amount", in contrast, conveys that the quantity causes substantial harm or destruction. The key difference lies in the negative impact implied.