considerable understatement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "considerable understatement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is downplayed significantly, often in a way that is surprising or ironic. Example: "Saying that the storm caused some damage was a considerable understatement; entire neighborhoods were flooded."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

"Our consideration is limited to the present circumstances," the opinion said, adding with considerable understatement, "for the problem of equal protection in election processes generally presents many complexities".

The New York Times

That is a considerable understatement.

The New Yorker

Mr. Wiatt spoke with considerable understatement.

The New York Times

"Maybe the most significant," he said, with considerable understatement.

The New York Times - Sports

"The post-war period was an anti-climax," Haworth-Booth writes, with considerable understatement.

The New Yorker

He reflected with considerable understatement that "it would not happen now".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Ruane lets rip with considerable force, while Garrett is all sinister understatement.

The Guardian - Music

They also appreciate understatement.

The New York Times

"Created considerable interest" is, to understate the issue, an understatement.

SEP

"To say that this creates considerable conflict between the local population and the organisation is a bit of an understatement".

Vice

Dr. Watson, the way you announced your discovery in the journal Nature was one of the great understatements of all time: "This structure has novel features which are of considerable biological interest".

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "considerable understatement", ensure the context makes the true situation clear to the reader. Otherwise, the understatement might be missed, and the intended effect lost.

Common error

Avoid using "considerable understatement" when the situation requires directness. If clarity and immediate understanding are paramount, a straightforward statement is more effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "considerable understatement" functions as a noun phrase that describes a statement or description that deliberately downplays the true extent or severity of a situation. Ludwig AI identifies it as a common way to express irony or emphasize the reality through minimizing its description.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "considerable understatement" is a phrase used to describe a statement that downplays the significance of a situation, often for ironic or emphatic effect. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, especially in news and media contexts. While it can be used in formal and informal settings, it is important to ensure the context clearly conveys the true extent of the situation to avoid misinterpretation. Alternatives such as "significant understatement" or "gross understatement" may be used to vary the emphasis. Remember to avoid using "considerable understatement" when directness and clarity are paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant understatement

Replaces "considerable" with "significant", emphasizing the importance of the understatement.

gross understatement

Replaces "considerable" with "gross", highlighting the magnitude of the understatement.

major understatement

Replaces "considerable" with "major", indicating a substantial understatement.

serious understatement

Replaces "considerable" with "serious", suggesting the understatement has notable implications.

substantial understatement

Replaces "considerable" with "substantial", emphasizing the significant degree of downplaying.

marked understatement

Replaces "considerable" with "marked", indicating a noticeable understatement.

glaring understatement

Replaces "considerable" with "glaring", suggesting the understatement is obvious and hard to ignore.

notable understatement

Replaces "considerable" with "notable", indicating the understatement is worthy of attention.

severe understatement

Replaces "considerable" with "severe", emphasizing the intensity of the understatement.

palpable understatement

Replaces "considerable" with "palpable", suggesting the understatement is easily perceived or felt.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "considerable understatement" in a sentence?

Employ "considerable understatement" to create irony or humor by deliberately downplaying a situation that is, in reality, quite significant. For example, "Saying the project was challenging was a "considerable understatement"; it nearly bankrupted the company."

What are some alternatives to "considerable understatement"?

You can use alternatives such as "significant understatement", "gross understatement", or "major understatement", depending on the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Is "considerable understatement" a formal or informal expression?

"Considerable understatement" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more commonly found in news, media, and literary writing where subtle emphasis and nuanced expression are valued.

What is the difference between "considerable understatement" and "simple understatement"?

"Considerable understatement" implies a significant degree of downplaying, whereas "simple understatement" suggests a more modest or less impactful instance of downplaying the true situation.