dramatic

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "dramatic" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize a sudden or extreme change; for example, "The rise in gas prices was dramatic this summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(And note that they are trying to produce riveting, dramatic television coverage, after all).

The Guardian

Sweeping US surveillance powers used by the National Security Agency expired at midnight after a dramatic showdown in the Senate.

The Guardian

Despite the president's deliberate attempt to talk down the markets and the media's dramatic warnings of economic Armageddon posed by a mere 17% of the government remaining temporarily idle, the S&P 500 closed at a record high the day after the shutdown ended.

The Guardian - Opinion

The study did say that storms, starfish attacks and coral bleaching were responsible for the dramatic loss of coral cover on the reef.

The Guardian

Family planning officials will make home visits and offer counselling and financial advice in a dramatic shift away from the 30-year priority of simply keeping the population down.

The Guardian

Conservationists have recorded dramatic and rare video of the African golden cat, the continent's least-studied wild cat.

The Guardian

Many commentators noted that the letter, like the Republican invitation to the Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, to address Congress last week without consulting the White House, marked a dramatic break from the tradition that partisan politics should "stop at the water's edge" and not spread into critical US defence and security policy abroad.

The Guardian

Our history is full of bad decisions that led to dramatic changes.

The Guardian

So if the beginning of his care was at times dramatic and shocking – and it was then on to helping mum get up to speed on incontinence products – the second stage was agonisingly prolonged.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Hypothermia expert Tomasz Darocha told the Polish PAP news agency that until now the most dramatic case of recovery from hypothermia involved a Scandinavian woman whose body temperature had dropped to 13.7C.

The Guardian

It was dramatic in its way but it was concocted drama.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dramatic" to describe events or changes that are sudden, significant, and often unexpected to add emphasis and create a sense of heightened importance.

Common error

Avoid using "dramatic" to describe minor or commonplace occurrences, as it can diminish the word's impact and sound hyperbolic. Choose a more fitting adjective to accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "dramatic" primarily functions to modify nouns, emphasizing the heightened impact, intensity, or suddenness of the event, situation, or change being described. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "dramatic" is used to describe something striking, sudden, and impactful. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and very common in usage, particularly within news and media contexts. While it's a powerful word, avoid overusing it for minor events to maintain its emphasis. Alternatives such as "striking", "spectacular", and "remarkable" can offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. Using "dramatic" effectively enhances writing by highlighting significant or unexpected occurrences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

striking

Emphasizes the immediate visual impact and impressiveness.

spectacular

Highlights the grand and visually impressive nature of something.

remarkable

Focuses on the unusual and noteworthy aspect.

significant

Indicates a considerable effect or importance.

extreme

Highlights the intensity and extremity of a situation.

sensational

Emphasizes the excitement and attention-grabbing nature.

theatrical

Refers to exaggerated and showy behavior, similar to a stage performance.

emphatic

Highlights the forcefulness and clarity of an expression or action.

intense

Focuses on the high degree of emotion or force involved.

powerful

Emphasizes the strength and impact of something.

FAQs

How can I use "dramatic" in a sentence?

Use "dramatic" to describe something that is striking or theatrical in effect. For example, "The sunset over the ocean was truly dramatic."

What are some alternatives to "dramatic"?

You can use alternatives like "striking", "spectacular", or "remarkable" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "dramatic" to describe a minor change?

While grammatically correct, using "dramatic" for a minor change can sound exaggerated. Consider using a more appropriate adjective like "slight" or "moderate" instead.

What's the difference between "dramatic" and "theatrical"?

"Dramatic" generally refers to something striking or intense, while "theatrical" implies an artificial or exaggerated quality, often associated with stage performances.