devastating event

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devastating event" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an occurrence that causes significant harm, distress, or destruction, often in contexts related to natural disasters, personal tragedies, or major incidents. Example: "The community came together to support each other in the aftermath of the devastating event that struck our town."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a collection of five photographs, each portraying an elaborate spread of food that has been hijacked by an annoying, sometimes devastating event.

The New York Times

Now 65 years on, that devastating event has been remembered at the site.

BBC

The procedures for evacuation planning and the need for CPAs to demonstrate and maintain the capability to effectively respond to a rare (but possibly devastating) event by carrying out regular drills and exercises should be further promoted within national programs.

Geoscience Letters

During the exhibition, an abidingly devastating event occurred and a deep torment took hold of me.

Huffington Post

Fire can be a devastating event, especially if the response is uncoordinated or slow.

The Professional Protection Officer Practical Security Strategies and Emerging Trends

Relapse is a devastating event for patients with hematologic cancers treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating event with huge personal and societal costs.

Neurobiology of Disease

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating event for which functional recovery remains elusive.

Biomaterials

Sudden death in a child is a devastating event with important medical implications for surviving relatives.

Gene

Tell us how you'll be teaching about this historic and devastating event.

The New York Times

Please tell us, below, how you're taking on this historic and devastating event in the classroom.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "devastating event", ensure the context clearly reflects the significant negative impact of the occurrence. Avoid using it for minor inconveniences.

Common error

Avoid using "devastating event" to describe commonplace problems. It is better reserved for situations involving significant loss or widespread distress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devastating event" functions as a noun phrase, where "devastating" modifies the noun "event". It describes an occurrence that has a significantly negative impact, causing considerable damage, distress, or loss. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "devastating event" is a grammatically correct and commonly used term to describe significant incidents that cause considerable harm or distress. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it functions as a noun phrase, emphasizing the severity of the occurrence. While suitable for neutral to formal contexts, it should be reserved for situations warranting such a strong connotation. Alternatives like "catastrophic occurrence" or "tragic incident" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in intensity. Using "devastating event" appropriately ensures clarity and impact in conveying the gravity of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

catastrophic occurrence

Replaces "devastating" with "catastrophic", emphasizing the scale of the disaster.

tragic incident

Substitutes "devastating" with "tragic", highlighting the sorrowful nature of the event.

calamitous episode

Replaces both words with synonyms, maintaining a formal tone.

grievous happening

Uses "grievous" to underscore the distress caused.

severe setback

Focuses on the negative impact or hindrance caused by the event.

major disaster

Highlights the disastrous nature of the event

crushing blow

Emphasizes the emotional impact and the feeling of defeat.

ruinous affair

Implies widespread damage and destruction.

shocking tragedy

Highlights the unexpected and upsetting nature of the event

unfortunate circumstance

Downplays the severity of the event, suitable for less intense contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "devastating event" in a sentence?

You can use "devastating event" to describe something that causes significant damage or distress, for example: "The hurricane was a "devastating event" for the coastal communities."

What are some alternatives to "devastating event"?

Alternatives include "catastrophic occurrence", "tragic incident", or "major disaster", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "devastating event" instead of "unfortunate incident"?

"Devastating event" is appropriate when the incident involves significant loss, damage, or distress. "Unfortunate incident" is more suitable for minor or less impactful situations.

Is "devastating event" a formal or informal phrase?

"Devastating event" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but it is generally used in more serious or somber situations.