at disaster

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at disaster" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe a situation involving disaster, but it lacks proper context and structure. Example: "The team was caught at disaster when the storm hit unexpectedly."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Even the ancient Greeks liked to rubberneck at disaster.

The New York Times

Or maybe just that we've gotten really good at disaster avoidance?

The New York Times

Katy Creates is UK press officer at disaster relief charity ShelterBox.

The Guardian

Animal assisted therapy has also been gaining traction at disaster sites.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The results have implications for policies aimed at disaster recovery and for the literature linking life events to economic preferences.

Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization

Beijing knows this and appears to be making all-out efforts at disaster response and propaganda management.

The New York Times

"We became a veterans service organization that happens to be good at disaster response," Mr. McNulty said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Thank-you letters from students at disaster-area schools that are participating in student support programs.

HuffPost

In response to the power outages, FEMA installed 28 generators at disaster-affected critical public facilities to support life-sustaining community needs.

Wikipedia

"It's one of the things the Royal Navy is really good at - disaster relief - but normally after hurricanes, not after landslips".

BBC

AT was a graduate student at the Division of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Kyoto University, and doing research as her master's thesis at Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University.

Geoscience Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace "at disaster" with clearer and more grammatically sound phrases such as "during a disaster", "in a disaster situation", or "following a disaster" to ensure precise and understandable communication.

Common error

Avoid using "at" to describe the temporal context of a disaster. "At" typically indicates a location or a specific point, whereas disasters usually unfold over time. Instead, use prepositions like "during", "in", or "after" to accurately convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at disaster" typically functions as a prepositional phrase, intending to modify a noun or verb by indicating a location or time related to a disaster. However, this construction is often grammatically awkward and not recommended, according to Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Reference

4%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "at disaster" appears frequently across various sources, including news, science, and formal business contexts, it is often considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates that it lacks clear meaning and recommends using more precise alternatives such as "during a disaster", "in a disaster situation", or "following a disaster". The intended communicative purpose is to describe events related to a disaster, but its inconsistent usage can lead to misunderstandings. For clearer and more effective communication, opting for grammatically sound alternatives is advisable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during a disaster

Specifies the timeframe when something occurs, focusing on the event's duration.

in a disaster situation

Emphasizes the specific state or condition characterized by the disaster.

following a disaster

Indicates the period immediately after a calamitous event, highlighting subsequent actions or consequences.

in the wake of a disaster

Focuses on the consequences and aftermath of a destructive event.

affected by the disaster

Highlights those individuals or entities directly impacted and altered by the event.

in times of disaster

Refers to periods when a disaster is actively occurring, highlighting emergency responses.

when disaster strikes

Describes the action of a disaster occurring, often unexpectedly or suddenly.

amidst the disaster

Emphasizes being surrounded or immersed within the chaos and destruction of the event.

in the midst of a disaster

Similar to "amidst", this phrase emphasizes the center or peak of a destructive event.

experiencing a disaster

Focuses on the personal or collective sensation and ordeal of going through a calamitous event.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "at disaster" in a sentence?

The phrase "at disaster" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Better alternatives include "during a disaster", "in the event of a disaster", or "after a disaster". Choose the phrase that best fits the intended meaning.

What are some better ways to express "at disaster"?

Instead of "at disaster", consider using phrases like "in a disaster situation", "in the midst of a disaster", or "affected by the disaster" for more accurate and clear communication.

Is it ever correct to use "at disaster" in formal writing?

No, the phrase "at disaster" is generally not considered appropriate for formal writing. It is better to opt for more grammatically correct and precise alternatives such as "following a disaster" or "when disaster strikes".

What's the difference between "at disaster" and "during a disaster"?

While "at disaster" is often perceived as grammatically incorrect, "during a disaster" is a correct and widely accepted phrase. "During a disaster" indicates that something occurs within the timeframe of the disaster event, whereas "at disaster" lacks clear contextual meaning.