dreadful events

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "dreadful events" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is a noun phrase that describes a series of events that are extremely unpleasant or causing great fear or dread. Example: The city was devastated by the dreadful events of the hurricane, leaving many people homeless and without basic necessities.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Was that an omen of dreadful events to come?

The New Yorker

Can teenage girls heading off to join Isis really be unaware of these dreadful events?

Independent

"Life on this earth has often been disturbed by dreadful events," he wrote.

The New Yorker

But he was a sap who had seen and survived dreadful events.

The Guardian - Books

And that defines our response and our reasoning in the wake of these dreadful events.

The Guardian

The mix of dreadful events and recipes, screams of rage and pain and sweet songs of capitalist quietude.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

One may think the Holocaust was a uniquely dreadful event.

The Economist

Presumably, something went wrong in the normal safety procedure, a dreadful event for all concerned.

The New York Times - Sports

That could have been the end of the story, but dreadful event for France appeared to have beneficial effects for Moissan.

Annales Pharmaceutiques Françaises

Cameron described the killings as "an absolutely dreadful event" which should not change Nato's withdrawal plan.

The Guardian

While the second seeds India had a dreadful event: Viswanathan Anand made just 4.5/9 and they finished 30th on 29.5.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dreadful events", consider the audience and context to ensure the tone is appropriate. This phrase carries significant weight and should be used when describing truly grave or tragic occurrences.

Common error

Avoid using "dreadful events" to describe minor inconveniences or setbacks. This phrase should be reserved for situations involving genuine suffering or tragedy to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dreadful events" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies and refers to a series of occurrences characterized by extreme unpleasantness, sorrow, or tragedy. Ludwig provides various examples illustrating its usage in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

14%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dreadful events" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that conveys the serious and tragic nature of occurrences. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from reputable sources. Its primary function is to inform and evoke concern, and while suitable for formal writing, it should be reserved for truly grave situations. Synonyms like "tragic incidents" and "catastrophic occurrences" can offer nuanced alternatives. The phrase appears most commonly in news and media, followed by academic and scientific contexts, highlighting its role in serious and objective discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tragic incidents

Focuses on the sorrow and loss associated with the events.

catastrophic occurrences

Emphasizes the scale and devastating impact of the events.

terrible tragedies

Highlights the severe suffering and misfortune involved.

devastating circumstances

Emphasizes the destructive and overwhelming impact of the situation.

calamitous episodes

Stresses the disastrous and ruinous nature of the events.

grievous incidents

Focuses on the pain and suffering caused by the events.

awful incidents

A more general term indicating the unpleasant nature of the events.

ill-fated incidents

Suggests that the events were destined to happen and had negative consequences.

unfortunate happenings

A milder alternative, suggesting bad luck or unfavorable circumstances.

shocking incidents

Highlights the element of surprise and dismay associated with the events.

FAQs

How can I use "dreadful events" in a sentence?

You can use "dreadful events" to describe tragic occurrences, for example: "The news reported on the "dreadful events" that unfolded during the war."

What are some synonyms for "dreadful events"?

Alternatives to "dreadful events" include "tragic incidents", "catastrophic occurrences", or "terrible tragedies", each carrying a slightly different nuance.

Is it appropriate to use "dreadful events" in formal writing?

Yes, "dreadful events" is suitable for formal writing when describing serious or tragic occurrences. However, ensure the tone aligns with the context and avoid exaggeration.

What distinguishes "dreadful events" from "unfortunate happenings"?

"Dreadful events" implies a higher degree of severity and tragedy compared to "unfortunate happenings", which suggests milder bad luck or unfavorable circumstances.