a disastrous experiment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a disastrous experiment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an experiment that had very negative or harmful outcomes. Example: "The researchers conducted a new trial, but it turned out to be a disastrous experiment that led to unforeseen consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It was a disastrous experiment.

The New Yorker

After a disastrous experiment with diversification earlier in the decade, Daimler-Benz now prides itself on an unsentimental, disciplined approach.

The Economist

Experts say what ultimately becomes of the hospitals could make them a model, or a disastrous experiment, in the delivery of health care to the poor.

The New York Times

After a disastrous experiment with other kinds of toys, it decided six years ago to focus on creating the closest possible models in accuracy and detail to real trains and racecars, said Frank Martin, the chief executive.

The New York Times

After Mao's Cultural Revolution, which many in China view as a disastrous experiment in mass democracy akin to the Jacobin terror that roiled France, most Chinese became too alienated from politics, Mr. Gan argues.

The New York Times - Arts

Raymond Fisman of Columbia Business School recently called the Swedish voucher scheme a disastrous experiment and warned Americans not to go down the same path.But there are good reasons to believe the problem is not school choice.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

It was a disastrous experience.

Forbes

In 1909, when the historian W. E. B. Du Bois delivered a paper to the American Historical Association on the benefits of Reconstruction, he was swimming against the tide of an entire body of scholarship proclaiming the period as a uniquely disastrous experiment that had proved the folly of racial equality.

The New Yorker

After an initial, disastrous experiment with prefab houses, construction began again in 1934 to Roosevelt's specifications, this time with "every modern convenience", including indoor plumbing and central steam heat.

Wikipedia

As their service came to an end, the Tribune summed up public opinion by dismissing the call for nine-month troops as a "costly and disastrous experiment".

The New York Times

In the preceding years, the firm had been engaged in a radical, and in some ways disastrous, experiment with a "nonterritorial" office: no one had a desk or any office equipment of his own.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a disastrous experiment" to clearly convey that a particular trial or undertaking resulted in significant and negative consequences. Ensure the context clarifies what made the experiment disastrous, providing specific details about the negative outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using "a disastrous experiment" when the results were merely disappointing or less successful than hoped. The phrase implies significant negative impacts or harmful outcomes, not just a lack of desired success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a disastrous experiment" functions as a noun phrase, where 'disastrous' modifies 'experiment'. It typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence, describing the nature of an experiment that had significantly negative outcomes. Ludwig provides various examples showing how the phrase is used in context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a disastrous experiment" is a noun phrase used to describe a trial or undertaking that resulted in significantly negative outcomes. As Ludwig confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and the meaning is usually related to failure. Occurring with 'Uncommon' frequency, it’s predominantly found in "News & Media" sources, signifying events that had negative consequences. While the phrase effectively conveys the severity of a failed attempt, it’s essential to ensure its application accurately reflects the magnitude of the negative impact, avoiding exaggeration for mildly unsuccessful outcomes. Alternatives like ""a failed endeavor"" or ""an unsuccessful trial"" may be more appropriate for less severe situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unsuccessful trial

Replaces "experiment" with "trial", suggesting a test that did not yield the desired results, and uses "unsuccessful" instead of "disastrous", which is a milder term.

a catastrophic undertaking

Replaces "experiment" with a broader term "undertaking" and intensifies "disastrous" to "catastrophic", implying a more widespread and severe negative impact.

a calamitous project

Substitutes "experiment" with "project", denoting a specific task, and replaces "disastrous" with "calamitous", suggesting a highly unfortunate and damaging event.

a devastating initiative

Substitutes "experiment" with "initiative", indicating a new attempt, and replaces "disastrous" with "devastating", signifying the overwhelming nature of the negative impact.

a failed endeavor

Substitutes "experiment" with "endeavor", indicating an attempt that did not succeed, and replaces "disastrous" with "failed", which is less severe.

a ruinous scheme

Replaces "experiment" with "scheme", implying a plan, often with negative connotations, and uses "ruinous" instead of "disastrous", emphasizing the destructive consequences.

a tragic undertaking

Employs "undertaking" as a more general term than "experiment" and replaces "disastrous" with "tragic", emphasizing the sorrowful and grievous nature of the event.

a regrettable venture

Uses "venture" in place of "experiment", connoting a risky project, and "regrettable" instead of "disastrous", indicating disappointment or remorse.

a woeful undertaking

Replaces "experiment" with "undertaking", signifying a task, and "disastrous" with "woeful", indicating deep distress or sadness about the outcome.

a lamentable attempt

Employs "attempt" as a substitute for "experiment", simply signifying an effort, and "lamentable" for "disastrous", highlighting the sorrowful nature of the failure.

FAQs

How can I use "a disastrous experiment" in a sentence?

Use "a disastrous experiment" to describe a trial or undertaking that resulted in significantly negative or harmful outcomes. For example, "The economic policy proved to be "a disastrous experiment", leading to widespread poverty".

What are some alternatives to saying "a disastrous experiment"?

You can use alternatives like "a failed endeavor", "an unsuccessful trial", or "a catastrophic undertaking" depending on the degree of failure and impact you want to convey.

What makes an experiment "disastrous"?

An experiment is considered "disastrous" when it leads to significant negative consequences, such as harm to people, environment, or economy. It implies that the outcomes were far worse than anticipated or acceptable.

Is "a failed experiment" the same as "a disastrous experiment"?

"A failed experiment" simply means that the experiment did not achieve its intended goals. "A disastrous experiment" indicates that the experiment not only failed but also caused significant harm or negative consequences.