a single disaster

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a single disaster" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to one specific catastrophic event or occurrence. Example: "The town was devastated by a single disaster that changed the lives of its residents forever."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

KENYA can absorb a single disaster.

The New York Times

However, even a single disaster on an offshore plant would put the whole business into danger.

Process Safety and Environmental Protection

It was the greatest loss of firefighters in a single disaster since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The New York Times

Texas's governor wants Rita and Katrina to be considered a single disaster, so the state can claim 100% of the cost of Rita from the federal government too.

The Economist

It's worth clarifying that almost all of those 760 violations were in the wake of a single disaster - the Texas City refinery blast in 2005, after which OSHA (no doubt justifiably) threw the book at BP.

The Guardian - Business

He said the study, which would focus in part on communication lapses that may have contributed to the department's largest loss of life in a single disaster, would take at least four months to complete.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

More than any single disaster, the danger is from a steady accumulation of problems and not just in the city.

The Guardian

While Pachauri said it was not possible to blame any single disaster on the steep rise in carbon emissions, the increased frequency of extreme weather events was consistent with scientific predictions.

The Guardian

The objective of this study was to examine the independent relation between a series of single disaster experiences versus the independent predictive value of a accumulation of disaster experiences, i.e. a sum score of experiences and symptoms of distress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

BMC Psychiatry

A week after the worst single disaster to afflict Iraq's Christians in modern times, the Catholic cathedral in central Baghdad where the killing took place was back in business.

BBC

Two years ago, 11 climbers died over a 24-hour period in the worst single disaster in K2's history.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a single disaster", ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes the disaster. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a single disaster" when referring to events that are interconnected or have cascading effects. Use a more appropriate phrase such as "series of disasters" or "complex crisis" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a single disaster" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific event characterized by significant negative consequences. As exemplified by Ludwig, the phrase denotes a lone, identifiable catastrophe.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a single disaster" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that refers to one specific catastrophic event. While Ludwig AI deems it appropriate for use, it is important to be mindful of the context to avoid overgeneralization. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Science sources, indicating a neutral register. Alternatives such as "one calamity" or "an isolated catastrophe" can be used for nuanced expression. Remember to ensure the context clearly defines the nature and scope of the "disaster" to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one calamity

Replaces "disaster" with a synonym emphasizing the severity and misfortune of the event.

a singular catastrophe

Replaces "disaster" with "catastrophe" emphasizing the sudden and widespread devastation and using "singular" to convey its uniqueness.

an isolated catastrophe

Substitutes "disaster" with "catastrophe" and adds "isolated" to highlight the event's singularity and lack of connection to other events.

a unique tragedy

Replaces "disaster" with "tragedy", focusing on the sorrowful and grievous nature of the event, and uses "unique" to stress its individuality.

a one-time crisis

Replaces "disaster" with "crisis", highlighting the critical and urgent nature of the event, and uses "one-time" to emphasize the limited duration.

a particular incident

Replaces "disaster" with "incident" while focusing on it being noteworthy, distinct, and isolated.

a solitary mishap

Employs "mishap" instead of "disaster", downplaying the severity to suggest a less significant unfortunate event. Uses "solitary" to emphasize it being one-off.

an individual misfortune

Uses "misfortune" instead of "disaster", focusing on the aspect of bad luck or adversity affecting an individual or group.

an unprecedented event

Substitutes "disaster" with "event" while also indicating the event has never occurred before.

a discrete failure

Replaces "disaster" with "failure", highlighting the aspect of not meeting expectations and using "discrete" to single out its occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "a single disaster" in a sentence?

You can use "a single disaster" to describe an isolated event causing significant damage or loss. For example, "A single disaster can cripple a community's infrastructure."

What are some alternatives to "a single disaster"?

Alternatives include "one calamity", "an isolated catastrophe", or "a unique tragedy", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a single disaster" or should it be "one single disaster"?

"A single disaster" is the more common and grammatically sound phrasing. "One single disaster" is redundant, as "single" already implies oneness.

What is the difference between "a single disaster" and "multiple disasters"?

"A single disaster" refers to one isolated incident, while "multiple disasters" indicates several separate events. The distinction lies in whether the events are interconnected or independent.