an immediate tragedy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an immediate tragedy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a tragic event that occurs suddenly or without warning, emphasizing the urgency and impact of the situation. Example: "The earthquake struck without warning, resulting in an immediate tragedy for the affected communities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's an immediate tragedy".

The New Yorker

"Five hundred dollars would go a long way for a family in an immediate tragedy, if they need to get a hotel room or that kind of stuff," Catherine says.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

On the same day as the Tonkin Gulf incident, Johnson was dealing with a more immediate tragedy: the discovery of the bodies of three civil rights workers who had been murdered in Mississippi, Andrew Goodman, James E. Chaney and Michael H. Schwerner.

The New York Times - Arts

Such examples may seem to mock or minimize the intimate sting of immediate tragedy — the loss of a job, the death of a child — as it is being absorbed.

The New York Times

Not only would this help pay for handling an immediate human tragedy, it could provide resources for inevitable future problems of the global public sphere, like the rise of environmental refugees in a warming world.

The Guardian - Opinion

His choice of words suggested that he was looking beyond the immediate tragedy to his ICC court appointment in November.

The Economist

For every one immediate tragedy of execution or abduction by the LRA, there are untold stories of people fighting a quieter fight – struggling against the pervasive and insidious effects of instability.

The New York Times

What impact this will have, beyond the immediate tragedy, on how the conflict unfolds is going to depend on who is responsible and how they respond.

The Guardian

For Cunningham's characters – gay, bohemian, liberal – this would be devastating, were they not already facing the more immediate tragedy of terminal cancer.

The Guardian - Books

QUESTION FROM LISA: If the media continues to keep light on Haiti long after the immediate tragedy is under control, it would help keep everyone interested over the long haul.

The New Yorker

It is time to take action – not only to deal with this immediate tragedy, but also to address the issue of global warming.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an immediate tragedy" to emphasize the sudden and devastating impact of an event, prompting quick action and response.

Common error

Avoid using "an immediate tragedy" in situations where the event, while unfortunate, does not warrant such a strong and urgent characterization. Reserve it for truly dire and sudden events to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an immediate tragedy" functions as a noun phrase, where "immediate" modifies the noun "tragedy". This construction emphasizes the sudden and urgent nature of the tragic event, as supported by examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

23%

Science

19%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an immediate tragedy" is a noun phrase used to describe a sudden and devastating event, emphasizing its urgency and impact. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in news and formal contexts. While its use is generally appropriate, it should be reserved for situations that genuinely warrant such a strong characterization to avoid diluting its impact. Related phrases include "a sudden catastrophe" and "an urgent crisis", each providing a slightly different nuance. This analysis provides writers with guidance on the best practices for using this phrase effectively and avoiding common errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sudden catastrophe

Replaces "tragedy" with a word implying a large-scale disaster occurring unexpectedly.

an instant disaster

Substitutes both "immediate" and "tragedy" to emphasize the abrupt and calamitous nature of the event.

a pressing calamity

Uses "pressing" to underscore urgency and "calamity" to highlight the disastrous impact.

an urgent crisis

Focuses on the critical and time-sensitive nature of the tragic event.

an acute misfortune

Replaces "tragedy" with "misfortune", denoting an event that is particularly severe and unwelcome.

a critical setback

Emphasizes the hindrance and reversal caused by the tragic event.

a swift adversity

Uses "swift" to denote the suddenness and "adversity" to indicate the hardship brought about.

an abrupt calamity

Focuses on the unexpectedness and disastrous nature of the event.

a rapid downturn

Emphasizes the sudden decline or worsening of circumstances.

an unexpected crisis

Highlights the surprise element and the critical nature of the event.

FAQs

How can I use "an immediate tragedy" in a sentence?

You can use "an immediate tragedy" to describe a sudden and devastating event. For example, "The earthquake was "an immediate tragedy" for the small island nation".

What are some alternatives to "an immediate tragedy"?

Some alternatives include "a sudden catastrophe", "an instant disaster", or "an urgent crisis", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "an immediate tragedy" in formal writing?

Yes, "an immediate tragedy" is appropriate for formal writing when describing a serious and sudden event. However, ensure that the context warrants such a strong term.

What distinguishes "an immediate tragedy" from a regular tragedy?

The word "immediate" emphasizes the suddenness and urgency of the tragic event, suggesting that it requires prompt attention and response, unlike a tragedy that might unfold over time.