chain of disasters

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chain of disasters" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a series of unfortunate events or incidents that are interconnected or lead to one another. Example: "The hurricane triggered a chain of disasters, including flooding, power outages, and landslides."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Hirst suspects that we will make mistakes in the ordering of events, and that the chain of disasters will become compressed in time.

The New Yorker

A Soviet decision to break off negotiations and to sign a pact with Hitler instead was the last in a long chain of disasters for France.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While she concedes that an asteroid or comet probably struck the Earth at the time the dinosaurs became extinct, she sees this impact as the final event in a chain of disasters.

The New York Times

But the chain of disasters that occurred after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, the nuclear power plant failure, and the resulting massive contamination were beyond the lessons and "Lessons Learned" from previous disasters.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

The article didn't note that Geithner is an "ex-Bush" senior official who, with his fellow "ex-Bush aides" (particularly Bernanke and Paulson) produced a chain of disasters: the bubble, an "epidemic of mortgage fraud" by lenders, the Great Recession, and the scandalous TARP and AIG bailouts.

Huffington Post

"However, the way to recovery has been slow and hampered – the chain of disasters broke the backbone of the community".

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

A big favourite of hers was the one about Uruguayan butterflies flapping their wings and the subsequent chain of inexplicable natural disasters around the globe.

The Guardian - Sport

As the local authorities await authorization to come down the chain of command, the disaster continues to claim victims.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

Because Asia has emerged, as a global business hub with wide supply-chain networks, the impact of disasters is no longer restricted within the national boundaries.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

An integrated self-assessment module using disaster simulation software (suite for the assessment of flammable, explosive, and toxic impacts, SAFETI) was employed to analyze the consequences of chain fire disasters in chemical plants.

Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries

In Haiti, it set off a period of upheaval and uncertainty — the latest and perhaps worst in the country's chain of natural and political disasters — that almost a year later is nowhere near an end.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "chain of disasters", ensure that the events are causally linked or chronologically sequenced to emphasize the interconnected nature of the misfortunes.

Common error

Avoid using "chain of disasters" in situations where the events are minor or only tangentially related, as it can exaggerate the severity of the situation. Opt for more appropriate terms like "series of inconveniences" or "string of minor setbacks" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chain of disasters" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a series of unfortunate events that are interconnected or follow one another. This is supported by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "chain of disasters" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon noun phrase used to depict a sequence of unfortunate or calamitous events. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and suitability in various contexts, particularly within news, science, and formal communications. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure the phrase aligns with the gravity of the described events, avoiding overuse in trivial situations. Alternatives such as "series of calamities" or "succession of misfortunes" may offer nuanced expressions depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

series of calamities

Replaces "chain" with "series" and "disasters" with "calamities", emphasizing the severity of the events.

succession of misfortunes

Highlights the unfortunate nature of the events occurring one after another.

string of adversities

Uses "string" to denote a sequence and "adversities" to emphasize the hardship involved.

cluster of catastrophes

Implies a grouping of devastating events, suggesting a higher intensity.

wave of tragedies

Conveys the overwhelming and emotional impact of the events.

sequence of unfortunate events

A more descriptive and literal alternative, focusing on the negative outcome of each event.

domino effect of failures

Emphasizes the causal relationship where one failure leads to subsequent failures.

cascade of crises

Suggests a rapid and escalating series of critical situations.

cycle of devastation

Implies a recurring pattern of destructive events.

series of unfortunate incidents

A milder term highlighting bad luck and minor negative impacts of events.

FAQs

How can I use "chain of disasters" in a sentence?

You can use "chain of disasters" to describe a series of unfortunate events that are linked or follow one another. For example: "The earthquake triggered a "chain of disasters", including tsunamis and landslides."

What can I say instead of "chain of disasters"?

You can use alternatives like "series of calamities", "succession of misfortunes", or "string of adversities" depending on the context.

Is "chain of disasters" too dramatic for minor incidents?

Yes, "chain of disasters" implies a serious sequence of unfortunate events. For minor incidents, consider using "series of inconveniences" or "string of minor setbacks".

How does "domino effect" differ from "chain of disasters"?

"Domino effect" specifically emphasizes the causal relationship where one event directly triggers subsequent events, while "chain of disasters" simply describes a sequence of unfortunate events, which may or may not be causally related. The domino effect is more specific to cause and consequence.