devastating incident

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devastating incident" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event that has caused significant harm, distress, or destruction. Example: "The community is still reeling from the devastating incident that occurred last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

How could a team be expected to go about their usual business in the wake of such a devastating incident?

The Guardian - Sport

As regulator for the nuclear industry in the UK we identified some key lessons to take from this devastating incident.

The Guardian

After a devastating incident where several cleaners left the cooperative with their clients, VV has struggled to regain their former success.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

He was unable to recall the devastating incident, for which he had brain surgery, and since there were no witnesses the police were (and remain) baffled.

Independent

However, social media users, columnists, activists and comedians, are up in arms because the media has reported the devastating incident as hard news without extended commentary on gun control, white violence or parental issues.

Independent

The likelihood of Pacquiao making the same mistake he did against Juan Manuel Márquez and walking on to the sort of right hand that left him face down and out is slim – mainly because of that first devastating incident.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

A wave of devastating incidents of vital personal papers being lost in immigration cases has led to renewed calls for the Home Office to overhaul the way it handles documents.

The Guardian

I recently sat down with an advance PC build of Deus Ex: Mankind Divided (which is being ported to the platform by the very capable Nixxes, the same studio that handled Tomb Raider and Rise of the Tomb Raider) to spend a few hours with Adam Jensen inside a world ripped apart by the devastating "Aug Incident" two years prior.

Forbes

Even devastating terror incidents such as the 2015 Paris attacks failed to persuade member states to significantly expand their counterterrorism cooperation.

The Washington Post

By making building inspection data and violation history available online for both citizens and government officials, we can keep our children safe and prevent devastating future incidents like this from ever happening in the first place.

Huffington Post

Owens called the whole incident "devastating".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on a "devastating incident", provide factual details without sensationalizing the event. Focus on the impact and consequences, and avoid speculation.

Common error

Avoid using "devastating incident" as a cliché. Ensure the event genuinely warrants such a strong description. Overusing dramatic language can diminish the impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devastating incident" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an event characterized by its severely negative impact, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

23%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "devastating incident" is a grammatically correct and neutrally registered expression used to describe an event causing significant harm or destruction. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples from diverse sources, primarily in News & Media and Academia. While relatively uncommon, it effectively conveys the severity and negative impact of an event. For more variety, consider using alternatives such as ""tragic event"" or "catastrophic event", but ensure the context warrants such strong language. Avoid overuse to maintain the phrase's impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tragic event

Replaces "devastating" with "tragic", focusing on the sorrowful aspect of the event.

horrific event

Replaces "devastating" with "horrific" to underscore the shocking nature of the event.

severe tragedy

Simplifies the phrase by using "severe" and "tragedy", focusing on the negative impact.

catastrophic event

Substitutes "devastating" with "catastrophic", highlighting the disastrous nature of the event.

terrible event

A straightforward alternative emphasizing the negative and unpleasant nature of the incident.

destructive event

Emphasizes the damage caused by the event, replacing "devastating" with "destructive".

tragic episode

Replaces "incident" with "episode", suggesting a distinct and unfortunate event.

calamitous occurrence

Uses "calamitous" and "occurrence" for a more formal and less common phrasing.

dire occurrence

Uses "dire" to emphasize the seriousness and urgency of the event.

grievous happening

A more formal alternative, using "grievous" to describe the severity of the event.

FAQs

What does "devastating incident" mean?

A "devastating incident" refers to an event that causes significant destruction, distress, or harm. It implies a severe negative impact on individuals, communities, or systems.

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

You can use "devastating incident" to describe events like natural disasters, accidents, or tragedies. For example, "The community is still recovering from the "tragic event"/ that struck last month."

What can I say instead of "devastating incident"?

You can use alternatives like ""tragic event"", "catastrophic event", or "severe tragedy" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "devastating incident" or "devastated incident"?

"Devastating incident" is correct. "Devastated incident" is grammatically incorrect as "devastated" is typically used to describe the state of a person or entity affected by an incident, not the incident itself.