caused widespread devastation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "caused widespread devastation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or action that has resulted in significant destruction or harm over a large area or among a large group of people. Example: "The hurricane caused widespread devastation, leaving thousands homeless and in need of assistance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Storm-surge floods of up to six metres have caused widespread devastation.

The Guardian

On August 29 , 2005 Hurricane Katrina caused widespread devastation to the Gulf Coast region of the United States.

Annals of Emergency Medicine

Israel's three-week military offensive against Hamas in Gaza in the winter of 2008-9 also caused widespread devastation.

The New York Times

Seismic waves set off by the earthquake produced severe tsunamis that caused widespread devastation to the island.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The earthquakes of 1934 and 1988 were especially severe and caused widespread devastation and loss of life.

Britannica

"Water levels in some locations are predicted to exceed the historic crest in the great flood of 1993 which caused widespread devastation," Nixon told reporters on Tuesday.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

The worst tremor, last August, had a magnitude of 3.4, hardly enough to cause widespread devastation.

The New York Times

Grasshoppers are capable of causing widespread devastation of the agricultural crops grown in many countries throughout the world.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the past three weeks, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have been hit by two powerful hurricanes, causing widespread devastation.

The Washington Post

Scientists have said it would take an asteroid a mile wide or larger to cause widespread devastation that could threaten civilization.

The New York Times - Science

If the mud-and-rock embankment were to break completely, however, a 100-foot wall of water would rush down mountain ravines and onto the lowlands, causing widespread devastation in its path.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a disaster or conflict, use "caused widespread devastation" to convey the extensive and severe impact on the affected area or population. Be specific about the nature of the devastation to enhance the impact of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "caused widespread devastation" in contexts where the impact is exaggerated or not genuinely devastating. Reserve it for situations involving significant destruction, loss of life, or severe disruption to communities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "caused widespread devastation" functions as a verb phrase serving as the predicate of a sentence. It typically describes an event or situation that has resulted in extensive destruction and suffering. Ludwig AI examples show it's used to describe the impact of events like hurricanes, earthquakes, and conflicts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "caused widespread devastation" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe events that result in significant destruction and suffering. Ludwig AI confirms its accuracy and usability. It's most frequently found in news reports, encyclopedias, and formal documents and is used to convey the gravity of situations like natural disasters or conflicts. When using the phrase, it's important to provide specific details about the nature and extent of the devastation and to avoid using it in contexts where the impact is exaggerated. Alternatives include "resulted in extensive damage" and "led to massive destruction".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resulted in extensive damage

Focuses on the outcome (resulted in) and uses a different adjective (extensive) to describe the damage.

led to massive destruction

Replaces 'caused' with 'led to' and 'devastation' with 'destruction', both emphasizing a significant negative impact.

triggered widespread ruin

Emphasizes the initiation of the event (triggered) and uses 'ruin' to convey a sense of complete destruction.

brought about considerable destruction

Uses 'brought about' instead of 'caused' and 'considerable' to highlight the significant amount of destruction.

generated widespread damage

Replaces 'caused' with 'generated', focusing on the creation of damage rather than the act of causing it.

inflicted broad devastation

Uses 'inflicted' to emphasize the act of imposing devastation, and 'broad' as a synonym for 'widespread'.

wrought widespread destruction

Employs the archaic term 'wrought' for 'caused', adding a formal or literary tone, and uses 'destruction' for 'devastation'.

precipitated vast destruction

Replaces 'caused' with 'precipitated', implying a hastening effect, and uses 'vast' for 'widespread'.

spawned widespread destruction

Uses 'spawned' to suggest the damage arose as a consequence, and replaces 'devastation' with 'destruction'.

occasioned widespread damage

Replaces "caused" with "occasioned", suggesting it was the circumstance for the damage.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "caused widespread devastation"?

Alternatives include "resulted in extensive damage", "led to massive destruction", or "triggered widespread ruin". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "caused widespread devastation" in formal writing?

Yes, "caused widespread devastation" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing events like natural disasters, conflicts, or significant economic downturns. However, ensure the context justifies the severity of the phrase.

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

"Damage" refers to physical harm that impairs value or usefulness, while "devastation" implies a more severe level of destruction, often involving ruin and significant loss. "Caused widespread "damage"" is a weaker expression compared to "caused widespread devastation".

How can I make my writing more impactful when using the phrase "caused widespread devastation"?

Provide specific details about the nature and extent of the devastation. For example, instead of saying "The earthquake caused widespread devastation", you could say "The earthquake caused widespread devastation, leveling entire neighborhoods and leaving thousands homeless".