a devastating problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a devastating problem" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a significant issue that causes severe negative effects or consequences. Example: "The community is facing a devastating problem with the rising rates of homelessness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Moreover, its total impact will not pose a devastating problem to our future.

The Guardian

It was a devastating problem for a man who had published the work of Hemingway and others, a man whose life was centered on reading and writing.

The New Yorker

One form of pollution the release of greenhouse gases that causes global warming does appear to be a long-term phenomenon, but its total impact is unlikely to pose a devastating problem for the future of humanity.

The Economist

"We're facing a devastating problem in this city and it's going to require real up-front negotiations and an intellectual honesty as well as financial responsibility," Mr. Spano said.

The New York Times

The project will be run from the Guardian's San Francisco bureau and overseen by its west coast bureau chief, Paul Lewis, who commented: "Homelessness is a devastating problem in the western states - but shockingly underreported.

The Guardian

Some of the molecular switches may not work something that would be a devastating problem for conventional electronic circuits.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

On the other hand, chronic hip arthropathy associated with long-term hemodialysis is a devastating problems affecting patients' quality of life.

Journal of Orthopaedic Science

Your party has a potentially devastating problem with Hispanic voters, so your thoughts naturally drift in that direction.

The New York Times

Those could include sea levels as much as 3 feet higher than currently expected — a potentially devastating problem for large coastal cities in Asia and Africa.

Independent

But that only created a different, devastating problem: New York power plants, without anywhere to quickly send electricity not needed within the state, overloaded their own system.

The New York Times

The Mets' training staff ruled out a potentially devastating problem with his Achilles' tendon, but Dickey said he would not feel completely reassured that it was not serious until after being examined by specialists in New York.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a devastating problem", ensure the context clearly demonstrates the severity and widespread impact of the issue being described.

Common error

Avoid using "a devastating problem" to describe minor inconveniences or issues with limited scope; reserve it for situations causing significant, widespread damage or suffering.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a devastating problem" functions as a noun phrase, where "devastating" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "problem". It is used to identify and characterize issues of significant and destructive impact. Ludwig AI confirms its valid usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a devastating problem" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a serious issue with widespread negative impacts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most frequently found in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts, suggesting its use in discussing significant societal and scientific challenges. While alternatives like ""a catastrophic issue"" or ""a severe crisis"" exist, "a devastating problem" effectively conveys the magnitude and severity of the issue. Use this phrase when you need to underscore the destructive nature and far-reaching consequences of a situation, but always ensure the context justifies its strong connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a catastrophic issue

Replaces "devastating" with "catastrophic", emphasizing the scale of destruction or disaster.

a severe crisis

Substitutes "problem" with "crisis", highlighting the urgency and critical nature of the situation, and replaces "devastating" with "severe".

a calamitous situation

Replaces both "devastating" and "problem" to convey a sense of deep misfortune and trouble.

a crushing blow

Uses a metaphorical expression to indicate something that inflicts heavy damage or defeat.

a ruinous matter

Emphasizes the destructive consequences of the issue, replacing "devastating" with "ruinous" and "problem" with "matter".

a grave concern

Conveys a serious and worrying issue, indicating significant potential for harm.

a critical challenge

Highlights the difficulty and importance of the issue, framing it as something that needs to be overcome.

a dire predicament

Presents the issue as a difficult, dangerous, or otherwise unfortunate situation.

a tragic event

Focuses on the sorrowful and lamentable aspect of the issue, framing it as an occurrence that causes great distress.

a harmful dilemma

Highlights the damaging effects and difficult choice involved in the issue.

FAQs

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

Use "a devastating problem" to describe an issue that causes significant damage, hardship, or destruction. For example, "Climate change is "a devastating problem" for coastal communities".

What are some alternatives to "a devastating problem"?

You can use alternatives like "a catastrophic issue", "a severe crisis", or "a calamitous situation" depending on the context.

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

Yes, "a devastating problem" is appropriate for formal writing when describing serious issues. However, ensure the tone remains objective and avoids hyperbole.

What distinguishes "a devastating problem" from "a serious problem"?

"A devastating problem" implies a higher degree of severity and widespread impact compared to "a serious problem", which can refer to any issue of concern.