a terrible scourge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a terrible scourge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that causes great suffering or harm, often in a societal or health context. Example: "The community has been struggling to cope with a terrible scourge of addiction that has affected many families."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Unemployment is a terrible scourge across much of the Western world.

The New York Times

Hammond said during a break that Ebola was "a terrible scourge".

The Guardian

Mr Justice Holman said the woman's description showed what a "terrible scourge" female genital mutilation was.

The Guardian

Looting is a terrible scourge, and museums must be held to the highest ethical standards so they don't unwittingly abet it.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, the reader is left with the misguided idea that inflation is a bit like tuberculosis: a terrible scourge in our parents' era but one that has little impact on our own.

The Economist

The judge said he found FGM "abhorrent and a terrible scourge on women", but "the right thing is to try to get the secretary of state not to let this woman in".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Killing drug dealers supposedly will wipe out this terrible scourge and save a generation.

The New Yorker

Twenty thousand uniformed officers showed up for each funeral, Mayor Bloomberg challenged legislators to "stand up and start doing something about this terrible scourge," and the Post introduced a special logo featuring a compact pistol and the words "The Gun Menace".

The New Yorker

Twenty thousand uniformed officers showed up for each funeral, Mayor Bloomberg challenged legislators to "stand up and start doing something about this terrible scourge," and the Post introduced a special logo featuring a compact pistol and the words "The Gun Menace*.*" Amid this burst of activity, Jim Mintz, a private investigator, was working quietly behind the steel doors of his Tribeca office.

The New Yorker

It remains a terrible, global scourge.

The New York Times

"I think there's been a huge amount of doom and gloom stories around plastics and justifiably because it's a terrible environmental scourge," he said.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a terrible scourge", ensure the context clearly identifies what is being described as harmful or destructive. This phrase is effective when emphasizing the severe negative impact of a particular issue or situation.

Common error

Avoid using "a terrible scourge" in informal or trivial situations. This phrase carries a strong sense of gravity and is best reserved for serious and significant issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a terrible scourge" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object, typically to describe a phenomenon causing significant harm or suffering. As shown by Ludwig AI, the phrase characterizes various societal or health issues.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a terrible scourge" is a noun phrase used to describe something that causes significant harm and suffering. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness for formal contexts such as news, business, and science. While effective for emphasizing the severity of an issue, it should be used judiciously to maintain its impact. Alternatives include "a devastating plague" or "a dreadful affliction", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a devastating plague

Emphasizes the widespread and destructive nature, similar to a disease.

a dreadful affliction

Focuses on the suffering and distress caused.

a severe hardship

Highlights the difficulties and burdens imposed.

a grave misfortune

Stresses the unfortunate and serious nature of the event.

a bitter curse

Implies a supernatural or malevolent origin.

a painful tribulation

Emphasizes the emotional or spiritual suffering involved.

a wretched burden

Highlights the oppressive and undesirable nature.

a dire calamity

Focuses on the disastrous and ruinous consequences.

a grievous woe

Emphasizes deep sorrow and suffering.

a cruel bane

Highlights the destructive and harmful impact.

FAQs

How can I use "a terrible scourge" in a sentence?

You can use "a terrible scourge" to describe something that causes widespread suffering or devastation. For example: "Unemployment is "a terrible scourge" across much of the Western world."

What are some alternatives to "a terrible scourge"?

Alternatives include "a devastating plague", "a dreadful affliction", or "a severe hardship", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a terrible scourge" an overused phrase?

While not inherently overused, "a terrible scourge" is a strong phrase best reserved for contexts where the severity of the issue warrants such emphasis. Using it sparingly can maximize its impact.

What distinguishes "a terrible scourge" from "a major problem"?

"A terrible scourge" implies a significantly more destructive and widespread impact than "a major problem". The former suggests deep suffering and devastation, while the latter is a more general term for any significant issue.