a major tragedy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major tragedy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or situation that is significantly unfortunate or disastrous. Example: "The earthquake was a major tragedy that affected thousands of lives and caused extensive damage to the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Make a major tragedy of it.

The Guardian - Sport

In China, it can constitute a major tragedy.

The New York Times

She spoke as if that would be a major tragedy.

The New Yorker

I felt like a minor figure in a major tragedy.

The New York Times - Health

It's sad, but it isn't a major tragedy".

The Guardian - Sport

Speaking to reporters in Melbourne, Ms. Gillard described the sinking as a "major tragedy".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

The airline's name became synonymous with disaster after a second major tragedy in July, when flight MH17 was shot down over Ukraine, killing 298 passengers and crew.

The Guardian - Business

Although Mr. Obama had spoken at the funeral of Senator Edward M. Kennedy and made a post-midnight visit to Dover Air Force Base to salute the returning dead, this was the first time he had served as the nation's comforter at a time of major tragedy.

The New York Times

Mars' "Unorthodox Jukebox" was named pop vocal album of the year, topping efforts from Robin Thicke, Timberlake, Lorde and Lana Del Rey and giving the R&B star an emotional boost after major tragedy in his life last year.

Los Angeles Times

In the end, people would give Facebook credit for tackling this issue now -- not in six months or a year after the next major tragedy occurs.

Huffington Post

The disaster over Ukraine was the second major tragedy this year involving a Malaysia Airlines flight.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a major tragedy", ensure the context clearly establishes the severity and scope of the event to justify the strong language. Avoid overuse to maintain impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a major tragedy" to describe minor inconveniences or setbacks; reserve it for situations involving significant loss, widespread suffering, or severe consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major tragedy" functions as a noun phrase, specifically serving as a description or label for an event characterized by significant loss, devastation, and suffering. It is commonly used to convey the gravity and impact of such occurrences, as evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

16%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a major tragedy" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase that describes an event marked by significant loss, suffering, or devastation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples from reputable sources. Predominantly found in News & Media, it serves to communicate the severity of events and evoke empathy. While effective, it should be reserved for appropriately grave situations to avoid diminishing its impact. Alternative phrases like "a significant catastrophe" or "a devastating misfortune" can offer nuanced expressions of similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant catastrophe

Replaces "tragedy" with "catastrophe", emphasizing the scale of the disaster.

a devastating misfortune

Substitutes "major tragedy" with a phrase highlighting the devastating nature of the event.

a profound calamity

Uses "profound calamity" to convey a sense of deep and widespread disaster.

a terrible disaster

Replaces "major tragedy" with a more general term for a very bad event.

a grave crisis

Focuses on the critical and serious nature of the event.

a heartbreaking event

Emphasizes the emotional impact of the tragic occurrence.

an appalling incident

Highlights the shocking and disturbing nature of the event.

a monumental loss

Focuses on what has been lost due to the tragic event.

a crushing blow

Uses a metaphor to describe the impact of the tragedy.

an unprecedented disaster

Highlights the uniqueness and scale of the tragic event.

FAQs

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

"A major tragedy" is used to describe an event causing significant loss, suffering, or devastation. For example, "The earthquake was "a major tragedy" for the region".

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

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a significant catastrophe", "a devastating misfortune", or "a profound calamity".

Is it appropriate to describe a personal setback as "a major tragedy"?

While personal setbacks can be difficult, describing them as "a major tragedy" may be an overstatement. Consider using milder terms like "a difficult situation" or "a setback" to maintain appropriate tone and perspective.

What distinguishes "a major tragedy" from "a minor setback"?

"A major tragedy" implies widespread impact, significant loss of life or property, and long-term consequences, whereas "a minor setback" refers to a temporary hindrance or inconvenience affecting a smaller scale.