a dire impact

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a dire impact" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a severe or critical effect that something has on a situation or outcome. Example: "The new policy had a dire impact on the local economy, leading to widespread job losses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

As the British Medical Association noted this week, this will have a dire impact on those children's health and wellbeing.

The Guardian

Conservationists say the emissions from burning up to 60m tonnes of coal a year would have a dire impact on efforts to limit global warming.

The Guardian - Business

There have been warnings, however, that cuts to the social housing budget could have a dire impact on the private sector.

The Guardian - Business

Simply selling buildings, merging departments with little in common and relocating offices to the outskirts of a city could have a dire impact on productivity and local economies.

The Guardian

Such talk, which originally emanated from Berlin, has alarmed other vulnerable countries, like Spain, which knows that mention of bigger private-sector losses could have a dire impact on their bond markets.

The New York Times

Ainley and his colleagues predict a dire impact on polar penguins if global temperatures rise 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels, which now seems inevitable.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The result: the new fiscal cliff will have even higher stakes, as the US could spend the next two months wrestling with even greater potential economic disaster, and a more dire impact on the markets.

The Guardian - Opinion

And to break the issue of abortion rights down to a battle over "messaging," or ensuring that Republican members of the House give some necessary red meat to their base, ultimately has a much more dire impact on the body politic.

Huffington Post

The spread of a disease that is highly lethal to poultry, and requires culling, could have a dire nutritional impact, there as elsewhere.

The Economist

As a result of falling oil prices, slowing demand from China, the dire impact of the Lava Jato investigation on the construction industry and political paralysis, Brazil has slipped into a deep recession and seen its credit rating cut to junk status.

The Guardian

Astronomers reacted with immediate dismay, fearing that the death of the Webb telescope could have the same dire impact on American astronomy that killing the Superconducting Supercollider, a giant particle accelerator in Texas, did in 1993 for American physics, sending leadership abroad.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a dire impact", ensure the context clearly demonstrates the severity and negativity of the impact. This phrase is most effective when the consequences are significant and alarming.

Common error

Avoid using "a dire impact" to describe situations that are merely inconvenient or slightly negative. This phrase is reserved for truly serious and alarming consequences; using it otherwise dilutes its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a dire impact" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it describes a significant, negative consequence. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its usage in contexts ranging from economic downturns to ecological threats.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a dire impact" is a phrase used to describe a seriously negative consequence, frequently found in news, science, and formal business contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for use when emphasizing the severity of a situation. When writing, be sure to reserve this phrase for truly significant negative outcomes to avoid diluting its impact. Alternative phrases like "a devastating effect" or "a catastrophic consequence" can be used for variety, but remember to choose the phrase that best reflects the specific context and intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a devastating effect

Highlights the destructive nature of the impact.

a grave consequence

Highlights the serious and concerning nature of the result.

a ruinous impact

Emphasizes the destructive effect, suggesting complete ruin.

a catastrophic consequence

Emphasizes the disastrous result or outcome.

a calamitous effect

Indicates a disastrous or devastating impact.

a terrible outcome

Underscores the unfortunate and undesirable result.

a severe repercussion

Focuses on the negative and far-reaching consequences.

a dreadful result

Emphasizes the unpleasant and undesirable nature of the outcome.

an awful outcome

Highlights the very bad or unpleasant nature of the result.

a critical consequence

Emphasizes the importance and potentially negative outcome.

FAQs

How to use "a dire impact" in a sentence?

Use "a dire impact" to describe situations with extremely negative consequences. For example: "The budget cuts will have "a dire impact" on public services".

What can I say instead of "a dire impact"?

You can use alternatives like "a devastating effect", "a severe repercussion", or "a catastrophic consequence" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "a dire impact"?

It is appropriate to use "a dire impact" when describing situations where the consequences are extremely serious, alarming, and have a significantly negative effect. Avoid using it for minor inconveniences or slight negative effects.

What's the difference between "a dire impact" and "a significant impact"?

"A significant impact" suggests a notable effect, while ""a dire impact"" indicates a severe and extremely negative consequence. The former is neutral; the latter is strongly negative.