can be devastated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be devastated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is capable of experiencing severe emotional or physical damage. Example: "After hearing the news of the disaster, the community can be devastated by the loss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

With the stroke of a bureaucrat's pen, so many lives can be devastated.

Independent

Reputations can be ruined and lives can be devastated as a result.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I can be devastated now but I won't be devastated on Monday.

The Guardian - Sport

Cultivated crops, because they provide pests with an almost unlimited food supply within a small area, can be devastated by uncontrolled population growth of a pest.

Encyclopedia Britannica

How important the Olympic cycle is for the women's sport where riders struggle for selection and can be devastated when it doesn't go their way.

The Guardian - Sport

The upshot of the more aggressive enforcement is that even employers who have followed the rules can be devastated by an audit that compels them to fire valuable, long-time employees.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The outcomes can be devastating.

The New York Times

The effects can be devastating.

The New York Times

And it can be devastating.

The New York Times

Uncontrolled pandemics can be devastating.

The Guardian

The impact can be devastating.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can be devastated" to convey a sense of potential destruction, both physical and emotional. Ensure the context clearly indicates what or who is at risk of devastation.

Common error

Avoid using "can be devastated" in situations where the impact is minor or insignificant. Overusing the phrase can dilute its meaning and make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be devastated" functions as a modal passive construction. "Can" indicates possibility, "be" is the auxiliary verb, and "devastated" is the past participle, expressing the potential for something to be acted upon and severely damaged. Ludwig AI shows its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be devastated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating a potential for significant emotional or physical destruction. Ludwig AI confirms that it appears in diverse sources, including news media, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While versatile, it is best suited for contexts where the impact is genuinely severe to avoid diluting its effect. Alternative phrases like "may be ruined" or "could be shattered" can provide nuanced variations depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may be ruined

Emphasizes the potential for something to be destroyed or spoiled.

might be destroyed

Highlights the possibility of complete destruction.

could be shattered

Focuses on the potential for something to break into pieces, both literally and figuratively.

may be overwhelmed

Suggests a state of being overcome by intense emotions or circumstances.

might be crushed

Conveys the potential for something to be severely oppressed or defeated.

could be shattered into pieces

Like 'could be shattered' but also highlights the amount of pieces.

might be left in ruins

Focuses on the aftermath of destruction, emphasizing the state of devastation.

may suffer greatly

Shifts the focus to the experience of enduring significant hardship or pain.

could be deeply affected

Indicates the potential for something to be profoundly impacted in a negative way.

might be severely damaged

Emphasizes the potential for substantial harm or impairment.

FAQs

How to use "can be devastated" in a sentence?

The phrase "can be devastated" describes the potential for something or someone to experience extreme emotional or physical destruction. For example, "A community "can be devastated" by a natural disaster".

What can I say instead of "can be devastated"?

You can use alternatives like "may be ruined", "might be destroyed", or "could be shattered" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "can be devastated" or "could be devastated"?

Both "can be devastated" and "could be devastated" are grammatically correct. "Can" indicates a general possibility, while "could" often suggests a more conditional or hypothetical scenario.

What is the difference between "can be devastated" and "can be damaged"?

"Can be devastated" implies a more severe and complete form of destruction, either emotional or physical, while "can be damaged" suggests a lesser degree of harm. For example, a house "can be damaged" by a storm, but a city "can be devastated" by a hurricane.