a devastating start

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a devastating start" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an initial phase or event that has had a severely negative impact or outcome. Example: "The project faced a devastating start due to unforeseen technical issues that delayed progress significantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But Murray had other ideas and made a devastating start to the decider, breaking in game one and consolidating it with some defensive play of the very highest order.

BBC

(GOLD) Glee This competition saw a devastating start for Glee, who took a near career-ending tumble right out of the gate with two hours of botched Beatles covers.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

East titles and five playoff berths in his first nine years as their coach, insists he and his staff have not lost their way after a devastating 0-6 start.

The New York Times - Sports

Brac, which was founded by Sir Fazle Hasan Abed to provide relief after a devastating cyclone, started focusing its work on the poorest when it realised that its microfinance programmes were beyond those at the bottom of the ladder.

The Guardian

Etc.: The Coyotes have been playing reasonably well with Thomas Griess in goal in the aftermath of what could have been a devastating loss of starting goalie Mike Smith.

Los Angeles Times

The 34 rooms at the centrally located Franconia Inn (1172 Easton Road, Franconia; 603-823-5542; was.frebuiltaftercom), which was rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1934, start at $131 with breakfast.

The New York Times - Travel

In the months prior to the Games' start, a devastating earthquake in Sichuan province, international focus on China's pollution problems, and protests over China's human rights record and Tibet became part of the Olympic story.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Further north-east in Badakhshan province, people are still reeling from a devastating landslide at the start of the month.

BBC

Opponents fear that en route, the volatile gas could ignite and start a devastating fire. .

Huffington Post

These cuts, part of the "sequester," are dealing a devastating blow to Head Start centers across the country.

Huffington Post

Reconstruction work in the remote Tibetan area of Yushu, hit by a devastating earthquake on April 14, will start next Tuesday in two villages, the official English-language newspaper China Daily reported Wednesday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a devastating start" to emphasize the severity and negativity of an initial event or situation. It's particularly effective when describing unexpected setbacks or crises.

Common error

Avoid using "a devastating start" in situations where the negative impact is not significant or clear. Using a more neutral phrase like "a challenging beginning" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

"A devastating start" functions as a noun phrase where "devastating" is an adjective modifying the noun "start". The phrase describes the quality or nature of the beginning of something. Ludwig AI confirms the acceptability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a devastating start" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, primarily employed to describe an initial phase characterized by significant negative impact. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and appropriate. Although relatively uncommon, the phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, highlighting its suitability for formal and objective reporting. When using this expression, be mindful of its strong connotation and ensure it aligns with the severity of the situation you are describing. Alternatives like "a catastrophic beginning" or "a disastrous commencement" can provide similar emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a catastrophic beginning

Emphasizes the disastrous nature of the initial phase.

a disastrous commencement

Focuses on the extremely unfortunate nature of the beginning.

a ruinous inception

Highlights the damaging and destructive aspect of the start.

an ominous kickoff

Suggests a threatening and inauspicious beginning.

a calamitous launch

Highlights the disastrous nature of the start, similar to "catastrophic".

a destructive onset

Emphasizes the damaging impact from the very beginning.

an ill-fated start

Focuses on the unfortunate and doomed nature of the beginning.

a crushing initiation

Emphasizes the overwhelming and oppressive nature of the initial phase.

a grim opening

Highlights the bleak and somber atmosphere of the beginning.

a tragic onset

Focuses on the sorrowful and unfortunate nature of the commencement.

FAQs

What does "a devastating start" mean?

It describes a situation or event that begins in a disastrous, shocking, or overwhelmingly negative way.

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

You can use it to describe anything that begins very badly. For example, "The project had "a devastating start" due to unforeseen circumstances".

What are some alternatives to "a devastating start"?

Alternatives include "a catastrophic beginning", "a disastrous commencement", or "a ruinous inception", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, it's appropriate, especially in news or analytical writing where you want to highlight the severity of an initial setback. However, consider the audience and context to ensure it's not overly dramatic.