calamities

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'calamities' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun meaning a disaster or a misfortune. Example sentence: Hurricanes and other natural calamities can cause extensive damage to people's homes and businesses.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For all their air of tweedy conservatism, the quintessentially modern political phenomenon might be Ukip In our dealings with the wider world, Marquand puts a neglect of history and past experience at the heart of two ongoing calamities: an increasingly troubled relationship with the rest of Europe, and all those misadventures in the Middle East.

The Guardian - Opinion

The past five years have not been about the big public calamities that usually make up economic crisis.

The Guardian - Opinion

Kaberuka has said climate change is one of the "greatest calamities" Africa faces, but he is encouraged by successful solar projects in Morocco and windfarms in Kenya.

The Guardian

Then came serial calamities: the smoking ban in 2007, the recession a year later and a relentless rise in beer duty.

The Economist

Besides the Japanese and Thai calamities, New Zealand suffered an earthquake, Australia and China floods, and America a cocktail of hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires and floods.

The Economist

But in the long run Mr Edwards turned out to be right, with last year's financial calamities his apparent vindication.

The Economist

Instead of arbitrary statutory requirements governing how much money must be squirreled away to guard against unexpected calamities, a company's assets and liabilities will be priced according to their market value.

The Economist

He needs to make sure that America is better prepared for future calamities.

The Economist

Nobody knows what financial calamities lurk under the surface or by how much credit will shrink.

The Economist

The capital, he declared, might have to move if measures to curb its sandstorms failed.Since then officials have claimed some success in reducing the frequency of these lung-clogging calamities.

The Economist

But there are known, rather than postulated, environmental calamities happening as you read this.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "calamities", be specific about the type of event and its impact to provide a clearer understanding for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "calamities" to describe minor inconveniences. Reserve it for truly significant and destructive events to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "calamities" is as a plural noun, serving as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, especially in news and media.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "calamities" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun, primarily found in news and media contexts. It effectively conveys events causing significant damage and suffering. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and widespread usage. While interchangeable with terms like "disasters" and "catastrophes", it's crucial to reserve "calamities" for genuinely significant events to maintain its impact. Ensure specific detail about the event when using "calamities" for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disasters

This alternative is a more general term for serious disruptions, often used interchangeably, but can also refer to smaller-scale events.

catastrophes

This alternative implies a larger scale and more devastating impact than "calamities".

tragedies

This alternative focuses more on the human suffering and loss associated with the event.

cataclysms

This alternative suggests a violent upheaval or sudden change, often natural in origin.

adversities

This alternative refers to difficult or challenging situations, not always on a large scale but still causing hardship.

misfortunes

This alternative denotes a state of ill fortune or bad luck, which can be personal or widespread.

hardships

This alternative emphasizes the difficulties and privations experienced as a result of an event.

afflictions

This alternative highlights the cause of distress and suffering.

tribulations

This alternative refers to experiences that test one's endurance and faith.

miseries

This alternative focuses on the state of suffering and unhappiness caused by an event.

FAQs

How can I use "calamities" in a sentence?

You can use "calamities" to refer to events that cause great damage and suffering. For example, "The country faced a series of natural "disasters", including earthquakes and floods."

What words can I use instead of "calamities"?

Alternatives include "disasters", "catastrophes", "tragedies", or "misfortunes", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "calamities" in a formal context?

Yes, "calamities" is appropriate for formal contexts, such as news reports, academic papers, and official statements, when referring to events causing significant damage or suffering.

What's the difference between "calamities" and "crises"?

"Calamities" refer specifically to events causing widespread damage and suffering, while "crises" indicate a state of instability or emergency that may or may not involve physical destruction.