brink of devastation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brink of devastation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that is on the verge of severe destruction or disaster. Example: "The region was on the brink of devastation after the hurricane struck, leaving many homes in ruins."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Through it we can see a country drawing back from the brink of devastation".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The nation is on the brink of ecological devastation.

Huffington Post

Fast forward the clock 15 months and the country is on the brink of economic devastation once again.

HuffPost

We are poised on the brink of national devastation in some form or another, be it environmental, humanitarian, economic or all three.

Huffington Post

Witnesses described scenes of devastation.

The Guardian

Unhappily, it brought the seeds of devastation.

The New York Times

It was a campaign of devastation.

The New York Times - Books

The flat was a scene of devastation.

The Guardian

The amount of devastation is unheard of.

The Washington Post

Mr. Khan described a scene of devastation.

The New York Times

They stood in a scene of devastation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brink of devastation" to describe situations where the potential for destruction is imminent and widespread, affecting not just physical entities but also abstract concepts like economies or ecosystems.

Common error

Avoid using "brink of devastation" for minor setbacks or inconveniences. This phrase is best reserved for scenarios involving substantial and widespread potential for ruin.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brink of devastation" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of being extremely close to total ruin or destruction. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical use.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Formal & Business

27%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "brink of devastation" is a prepositional phrase used to describe situations nearing total ruin, as confirmed by Ludwig. While grammatically correct and found in various contexts, it is most commonly used in news and media to convey a sense of impending doom. Ludwig's analysis suggests that it is suitable for formal and informal settings, although overuse in minor situations should be avoided. Consider alternatives like "verge of collapse" or "edge of destruction" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

verge of collapse

Replaces "devastation" with "collapse", emphasizing a structural or systemic failure.

edge of destruction

Uses "destruction" instead of "devastation", highlighting the act of being destroyed.

precipice of ruin

Substitutes "devastation" with "ruin", stressing a state of decay or downfall.

threshold of catastrophe

Employs "catastrophe" to indicate an impending disastrous event.

point of annihilation

Replaces "devastation" with "annihilation", highlighting a complete obliteration.

cusp of disaster

Uses "disaster" as a more general term for a calamitous event.

on the road to perdition

Replaces "brink of devastation" with the more biblical "road to perdition", indicating moral or spiritual ruin.

facing total obliteration

Highlights that something is facing a total obliteration.

at risk of total destruction

Similar to “edge of destruction”, it underlines the risk of being totally destroyed.

close to total loss

Indicates the imminence of losing everything.

FAQs

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

You can use "brink of devastation" to describe situations that are close to total destruction, like "The country was on the "brink of devastation" after the earthquake."

What are some alternatives to saying "brink of devastation"?

Alternatives include "verge of collapse", "edge of destruction", or "precipice of ruin" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "brink of devastation" in a formal setting?

Yes, "brink of devastation" is suitable for formal settings when describing situations of significant potential ruin or destruction. It's often found in news reports and academic analyses.

What's the difference between "brink of devastation" and "brink of disaster"?

While similar, "brink of devastation" suggests a more thorough and widespread level of destruction than "brink of disaster", which can encompass a wider range of calamitous events.