caused devastation to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "caused devastation to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the impact of an event or action that has resulted in significant destruction or harm. Example: "The hurricane caused devastation to the coastal towns, leaving many residents homeless."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Strauss-Kahn told the court: "I am horrified by the means used to obtain this [book] … is anything allowed in order to make money?" He said the book had caused "devastation" to his private life, his family life and the "psychology of [his] children".

The Guardian

They paid it because their actions caused devastation to the environment and, as a result, forced them to pay claims by individuals, business, government entities, and paid fines and penalties in connection with its criminal plea agreement with the U.S. government.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

They have teamed up with the palm-oil industry, widely condemned by conservationists for causing devastation to orang-utans.

Independent

Drink-driving remains one of the biggest killers on our roads, causing devastation to families and communities every day.

The Guardian

Last year, the Anglo-Dutch oil group was forced to scale down oil drilling in the Beaufort Sea off Alaska amid concerns that oil spillages would cause devastation to marine life.

The Guardian - Business

We are now in a world that Bill Gates Bill Gates himself predicted; one where a small competitor can in very short order fundamentally turn the tables on what were only recently the very companies causing devastation to established older rivals.

Forbes

If the cockroaches were to escape the facility, they could cause devastation to the local environment.

Huffington Post

At the end of the day, losing a key structure that guides the knee causes devastation to normal knee mechanics.

Huffington Post

If the current climate of catastrophe is teaching us anything, it is that material acquisition is not the road to happiness--not only because we're losing what we stored for our happily-ever-after, but also because our amassing of stuff is not doing the trick and is directly or indirectly causing devastation to the planet and many of the people upon it.

Huffington Post

Oomycete pathogens cause devastation to a wide range of hosts belonging to both plant and animal kingdoms [ 1].

BMC Genomics

Everyone says that, of course, the financial burst caused devastation and brought us to our knees.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "caused devastation to", ensure the subject clearly identifies the agent responsible for the devastation and the object that suffered the destruction. This clarifies the cause-and-effect relationship for the reader.

Common error

While "caused devastation to" is powerful, overuse can diminish its impact. Vary your language by using synonyms like "wreaked havoc on" or "brought ruin to" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "caused devastation to" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of inflicting severe damage or destruction upon something. Ludwig shows examples from sources like The Guardian and Huffington Post, confirming its use in describing impactful events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

13%

Formal & Business

13%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "caused devastation to" is a verb phrase used to describe actions or events that have led to significant destruction. Ludwig's analysis indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While effective, it's important to use synonyms to avoid repetition and maintain engagement. Alternatives like "wreaked havoc on" and "brought ruin to" can provide variety in your writing. By considering both the grammatical function and the context of use, you can effectively employ "caused devastation to" to convey the severity of destructive events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wreaked havoc on

Replaces "caused devastation to" with a more emphatic term for widespread destruction.

brought ruin to

Replaces "caused devastation to" using a term emphasizing the destruction of wealth or prosperity.

inflicted damage on

Replaces "caused devastation to" with a more general term for harm or injury.

led to the destruction of

Replaces "caused devastation to" and emphasizes the finality and extent of the destruction.

resulted in widespread destruction of

Replaces "caused devastation to" by highlighting the effect of an event and how far the destruction extends.

created havoc for

Replaces "caused devastation to" with a phrase emphasizing chaos and disorder as a result.

precipitated the downfall of

Replaces "caused devastation to" using a phrase indicating a sudden and significant loss of power or status.

created a catastrophe for

Replaces "caused devastation to" emphasizing the disastrous nature of the event.

triggered the collapse of

Replaces "caused devastation to" with a phrase emphasizing the structural failure or disintegration of something.

generated chaos within

Replaces "caused devastation to" by focusing on the disruption and disorder created within a system or area.

FAQs

How can I use "caused devastation to" in a sentence?

Use "caused devastation to" to describe something that has severely damaged or destroyed something else. For instance, "The earthquake "caused devastation to" the coastal city".

What are some alternatives to "caused devastation to"?

You can use alternatives like "wreaked havoc on", "brought ruin to", or "inflicted damage on" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "caused devastation to" or "devastated"?

Both are correct, but "devastated" is more concise. "The hurricane devastated the region" is a shorter alternative to "The hurricane "caused devastation to" the region".

What's the difference between "caused devastation to" and "caused damage to"?

"Caused damage to" implies a lesser degree of harm. "Caused devastation to" suggests widespread and severe destruction, implying a much greater impact.