disastrous times

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "disastrous times" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe periods characterized by significant trouble, hardship, or negative events. Example: "The country faced disastrous times during the economic recession, with many families struggling to make ends meet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Troubled times breed scapegoats, but disastrous times breed heroes.

The New York Times

Philanthropic plutocrats have stepped up and finished stuff in less disastrous times.

The Guardian - Opinion

(To be American, even in disastrous times, is to be hardwired against such an attitude, I think).

The New Yorker

Hunched in his armchair in his oddly mon-astic khakis, Leigh insists, "There is no question that these are disastrous times, we're destroying the planet and we're destroying each other.

Independent

When you go through disastrous times you really draw on your inner strength, and your emotions are so much more heightened.

BBC

Early on he realized the magnitude of the credit crisis and resolutely backed the Paulson rescue package, not because he liked it but because in disastrous times one must grab every weapon at hand, even the imperfect.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The scene is a game in which Cornell is having a disastrous time of it.

The New Yorker

The only way to go through a disastrous time in life is being together, and the neighborhood has been wonderful".

The New York Times

When Doctor Who returned in 2005, the Doctor said that he had destroyed Gallifrey to end the disastrous Time War between the Time Lords and the Daleks.

Independent

While his arrival puts Bob Hill's disastrous time as coach in the past, it could take years for Whittenburg to bring Fordham back to respectability.

The New York Times - Sports

"Afterwards, we had a disastrous time, when the mothers of the children and the politicos who had moved into the campaign had a knockdown drag out".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "disastrous times", ensure the context clearly establishes the specific events or circumstances that make the period particularly negative. Providing concrete examples strengthens the impact of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "disastrous times" to describe mildly negative situations. The phrase should be reserved for circumstances involving significant hardship, widespread damage, or serious consequences. Overusing the phrase weakens its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disastrous times" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It combines the adjective "disastrous", which modifies the noun "times", to characterize a period marked by significant misfortune, hardship, or failure. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, supported by examples from diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "disastrous times" is a grammatically sound and usable expression referring to periods characterized by significant misfortune or hardship. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, showing that it's most commonly found in news and media contexts. While not extremely frequent, it effectively conveys the severity of a situation. When using the phrase, ensure the context warrants the strong negative connotation and provide specifics to enhance its impact. Consider "troubled times" or "calamitous period" as alternatives depending on the specific nuance needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

troubled times

Emphasizes the presence of problems and unrest during a particular period.

times of adversity

Highlights the presence of hardship and challenges during the period.

calamitous period

Replaces 'disastrous' with 'calamitous', emphasizing a severe and sudden misfortune.

tumultuous years

Highlights periods marked by great unrest, disorder, or agitation.

catastrophic era

Substitutes 'disastrous' with 'catastrophic' and 'times' with 'era', highlighting widespread devastation.

crisis-ridden period

Focuses specifically on periods marked by multiple crises.

severe crisis

Replaces 'disastrous times' with a focus on the severity of a particular challenging situation.

hard times

Uses a more general term to refer to periods of difficulty or hardship.

difficult days

Focuses on the challenging nature of the period, using a less intense term.

unfortunate era

Replaces 'disastrous' with 'unfortunate', softening the negative connotation.

FAQs

What are some alternative phrases for "disastrous times"?

You can use alternatives like "hard times", "troubled times", or "calamitous period" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How do I use "disastrous times" in a sentence?

Use "disastrous times" to describe periods characterized by significant hardship, widespread damage, or serious negative consequences. For instance: "The country faced disastrous times during the economic recession."

Which is more appropriate, "disastrous times" or "difficult times"?

"Disastrous times" implies a greater level of severity and negative impact than "difficult times". Use "disastrous times" when referring to periods of significant hardship and widespread problems; "difficult times" is suitable for less severe situations.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "disastrous times"?

The phrase is suitable in contexts where there is a need to emphasize the extremely negative or calamitous nature of a particular period. This includes discussions of economic recessions, natural disasters, or periods of significant social or political turmoil.