a great tragedy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a great tragedy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or impactful event that causes great suffering or loss. Example: "The sinking of the Titanic was a great tragedy that affected many lives and changed maritime safety regulations forever."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was a great tragedy".

The New York Times

Muhammad Ali thought this was a great tragedy.

The New Yorker

Yes, this incident was a great tragedy.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is a great tragedy and loss.

The Guardian

"It's a great tragedy," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

"This is a great tragedy," Major Kopy said.

The New York Times

Is the discarding of the LP collection a great tragedy?

The New York Times - Arts

"It's a great tragedy, but we have to move on".

The New York Times

He would be rescuing us from a great tragedy".

The Guardian

"Her suffering was extreme and it was a great tragedy.

The Guardian

DECADES can dull the shock and ease the sting of even a great tragedy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a great tragedy" to express sincere sympathy or emphasize the severity of a loss or disaster. Ensure the context warrants the strong emotional connotation.

Common error

Avoid using "a great tragedy" for minor setbacks or inconveniences. Overusing it dilutes its impact and can sound insincere or melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great tragedy" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object within a sentence. As Ludwig examples show, this phrase serves to categorize an event as deeply unfortunate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

93%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a great tragedy" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an event causing significant suffering or loss. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media where the gravity of events needs emphasizing. While alternatives like "a profound loss" or "a major catastrophe" exist, "a great tragedy" maintains a balance of formality and emotional weight. Remember to reserve this phrase for genuinely impactful situations to avoid diluting its meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a profound tragedy

Emphasizes the depth and impact of the tragedy.

a significant tragedy

Highlights the importance and consequences of the tragic event.

a major catastrophe

Focuses on the disastrous nature and scale of the event.

a devastating event

Highlights the destructive and emotionally crippling aspect of the occurrence.

a terrible misfortune

Downplays the event's gravity, depicting the incident as a result of bad luck.

a heartbreaking loss

Focuses on the emotional pain and sense of bereavement caused by the event.

an immense sorrow

Emphasizes the deep and pervasive sadness associated with the event.

a grievous blow

Highlights the damaging and impactful nature of the event on individuals or communities.

an appalling disaster

Stresses the shocking and dreadful qualities of the disastrous event.

a calamitous affair

Underlines the disastrous and unfortunate circumstances of the event, suggesting mismanagement or negligence.

FAQs

How can I use "a great tragedy" in a sentence?

Use "a great tragedy" to describe a significant event that causes immense suffering, loss, or devastation. For example: "The earthquake was "a great tragedy" for the entire region."

What are some alternatives to saying "a great tragedy"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a profound loss", "a major catastrophe", or "a devastating event".

Is it appropriate to use "a great tragedy" in formal writing?

Yes, "a great tragedy" is suitable for formal writing when describing events that warrant such a strong expression of sorrow and loss. Ensure it aligns with the overall tone and purpose of the document.

What makes an event qualify as "a great tragedy"?

An event typically qualifies as "a great tragedy" if it involves significant loss of life, widespread suffering, or irreversible damage, leaving a lasting impact on individuals, communities, or even entire nations.