a trail of devastation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a trail of devastation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the aftermath of a disaster or destructive event, indicating the significant damage left behind. Example: "The hurricane left a trail of devastation across the coastal towns, with homes destroyed and lives disrupted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Outside, a trail of devastation: duckweed, detritus, 85mph winds, police, roadblocks.

The Guardian

Nor the hurricane that has displaced John Galliano and left a trail of devastation on the autumn/winter 2011 season.

The New York Times

I am messy, but not in the sense that I leave a trail of devastation behind me as I cook.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Texas explosion, so powerful that the United States Geological Survey measured it as a 2.1-magnitude earthquake, left a trail of devastation over a wide area.

The New York Times

It passed to the west of Scotland later on Monday, but left behind a trail of devastation and took visible chunks out of much of the coastline.

Independent

One of the most powerful storms ever recorded battered the central Philippines, bringing winds of up to 235mph and leaving a trail of devastation.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

The agreement between the nuclear-armed rivals came as a breather for the people of Kashmir, where the Oct. 8 earthquake left a trail of destruction and devastation.

The New York Times

The Ndebele fought their way northwards into the Transvaal, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake and beginning an era of widespread devastation known as the Mfecane.

Wikipedia

We witnessed a trail of destruction.

BBC

Billed by some as an answer to questions posed by climate change and fuel security, it is criticized by others as siphoning food away from the hungry and into the fuel tanks of rich countries, leaving a trail of environmental devastation in its wake.

The New York Times

Hurricane Irma claimed at least 19 lives as it barreled across the Caribbean toward Florida Friday, leaving a trail of catastrophic devastation that has affected more than a million people in the region.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a trail of devastation", ensure the context clearly identifies the cause of the devastation. For instance, specify what left the trail of damage (e.g., "The hurricane left a trail of devastation").

Common error

Avoid using "a trail of devastation" without explicitly stating what caused it. A vague statement can confuse the reader. Instead of saying "There was a trail of devastation", specify "The flood left a trail of devastation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a trail of devastation" functions as a noun phrase. It describes a situation after a destructive event. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Reference

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a trail of devastation" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that describes the aftermath of a destructive event. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is used in a variety of contexts, with a strong presence in news and media. It is best used when the context clearly identifies the cause and scope of the devastation. Alternative phrases include "a path of destruction" and "a wake of destruction". While versatile, it is important to attribute the cause of the devastation to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a path of destruction

Replaces "trail" with "path" and "devastation" with "destruction", emphasizing the route of damage.

a wake of destruction

Uses "wake" to suggest the aftermath or consequences of a destructive event.

a scene of destruction

Focuses on the visual aspect of the aftermath, highlighting the extent of the damage in a specific location.

a swath of devastation

Emphasizes the wide area affected by the damage.

a trail of destruction and despair

Adds "despair" to highlight the emotional impact alongside the physical damage.

a legacy of destruction

Implies a lasting impact or long-term consequences.

a path of ruin

Substitutes "devastation" with "ruin" to highlight the state of collapse or decay.

a history of devastation

Shifts the focus to past events and their cumulative impact.

an era of destruction

Highlights the continuous or prolonged nature of destructive events.

a panorama of destruction

Presents a broad, comprehensive view of the extensive damage.

FAQs

How can I use "a trail of devastation" in a sentence?

Use "a trail of devastation" to describe the aftermath of a destructive event. For example: "The earthquake left "a trail of devastation" throughout the region."

What's a good alternative to "a trail of devastation"?

Alternatives include "a path of destruction", "a wake of destruction", or "a scene of destruction", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it better to say "trail of destruction" or "trail of devastation"?

Both "trail of destruction" and "trail of devastation" are correct and similar in meaning. "Devastation" emphasizes the severity of the damage, while "destruction" is a more general term.

What kind of events typically leave "a trail of devastation"?

Natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods commonly leave "a trail of devastation". It can also describe the impact of wars, economic crises, or other large-scale destructive events.