calamitous times

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "calamitous times" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe periods characterized by great distress or disaster, often in a historical or literary context. Example: "The nation faced calamitous times during the war, with widespread suffering and loss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Ultimately, the play appreciates both those who open up and those who stay tight-lipped because they believe that, in calamitous times, there are greater horrors to combat than individual unhappiness.

Independent

That said, we live in complex and calamitous times, and what Simon did all last year was explain that in plain English so dumb-dumbs like me can i.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's been a calamitous time for the Co-op, having to abandon plans to take over 632 branches from Lloyds and suffering a humiliating, six-notch, credit-rating downgrade by Moody's.

Independent

Remarkably few outsiders, certainly from English-speaking nations, have made the attempt, and those who have have tended to centre their work on the most calamitous time in recent Indonesian history – the military takeover of 1965.

The Guardian - Books

Most of them are Sunni like their cousins in northern Iraq.These cousins, in their western-protected safe haven, had a calamitous time early on, cursed by the infighting of the KDP and the PUK (the two main Kurdish factions), and by the military intervention of, variously, Turkey, Iraq and Iran.

The Economist

Sales crashed to about 4,000 in 2009, so it has been a "pretty calamitous time" for the company, agrees recently appointed marketing director, Alasdair Stewart.

BBC

A lot are sure that the cause of that debacle was the failure of Bill and Hillary Clinton to pass health reform, and that coming up empty again could prove calamitous this time, too.But it is also arguable that the Democrats' big problem 15 years ago was not the failure on health care but the perception that the party had moved too far left.

The Economist

Motherwell secured a sixth consecutive Scottish Premiership win after a calamitous stoppage-time error from Hearts goalkeeper Colin Doyle.

BBC

Struggling to reinvent himself as a serious actor, tugged between his glamorous Hollywood life and his inner-city roots, Andre pours his heart out — in more ways than one — to a journalist (Rosario Dawson) over the course of one tumultuous and at times calamitous day.

Los Angeles Times

His round of 121, 49 over par, was, is and, assuming the R&A's rigorous vetting of entry forms does not suffer a calamitous failure some time in the future, always will be the worst score in the tournament's history.

The Guardian - Sport

Ghana's early goal seemed to knock both sides off their stride, and in truth the Black Stars barely threatened thereafter, and then on the stroke of half-time, calamitous defending gifted them a second goal.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "calamitous times" to emphasize the severity and widespread impact of disasters or crises, creating a strong sense of historical or emotional weight in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "calamitous times" in everyday conversation or informal writing. The phrase carries a strong sense of gravity and is more appropriate for formal, historical, or literary contexts where a significant disaster or crisis is being described.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "calamitous times" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It vividly describes a period characterized by great misfortune, disaster, or suffering. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "calamitous times" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe periods marked by disaster and suffering. While considered formal, it is most frequently found in News & Media contexts to emphasize the severity of events. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid and can be substituted with similar expressions like "disastrous times" to convey a comparable meaning. Its use should be reserved for situations where a strong sense of gravity and historical or emotional weight is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disastrous times

Replaces "calamitous" with a more common synonym, emphasizing the disastrous nature of the period.

catastrophic period

Substitutes both words to create a slightly more formal and intense expression.

times of great hardship

Rephrases to focus on the difficulty and suffering experienced.

periods of adversity

Uses a more general term for hardship, suitable for various contexts.

troubled era

Emphasizes the difficulties and unrest of the time.

difficult days

Offers a simpler, less formal way to describe challenging times.

times of crisis

Highlights the critical and unstable nature of the period.

days of tribulation

Emphasizes the suffering and testing nature of the period.

unfortunate circumstances

Downplays the severity, suitable for less dramatic contexts.

dark times

Uses a metaphorical expression to convey the negativity and despair of the period.

FAQs

How can I use "calamitous times" in a sentence?

You can use "calamitous times" to describe periods marked by great disaster or suffering, such as "The nation faced "calamitous times" during the war."

What are some alternatives to "calamitous times"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "disastrous times", "catastrophic period", or "times of great hardship".

Is it appropriate to use "calamitous times" in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "calamitous times" is a formal phrase best reserved for describing significant historical events or crises. Simpler alternatives are more suitable for casual contexts.

What makes "calamitous times" different from "difficult times"?

"Calamitous times" implies a period of widespread disaster and suffering, whereas "difficult times" is a more general term for any period of hardship or challenge. The former carries a stronger sense of severity.