extent of the disaster

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extent of the disaster" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the magnitude or severity of a disaster, whether natural or man-made. Example: "The extent of the disaster was far greater than anyone had anticipated, affecting thousands of lives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The wild card is the sheer extent of the disaster.

The Guardian

Some of us cried at the images, but we couldn't decipher the extent of the disaster.

The New York Times - Travel

At first, no one knows the extent of the disaster: perhaps the entire planet is dead.

The Guardian - Books

The extent of the disaster was explicit during last night's BBC debate.

The Guardian - Opinion

The extent of the disaster and the unpreparedness of the U.S. military provoked considerable criticism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Only when Eugene ran upstairs did the extent of the disaster become clear.

The Washington Post

A strong Guardian editorial calls for action, but unwittingly undersells the extent of the disaster then unfolding in Ireland.

The Guardian

Samarco said in a statement it had not yet determined why the dam burst or the extent of the disaster.

The Guardian

Windscale caught fire in 1957, but the full extent of the disaster was covered up until 1988.

The Guardian

After an initial delay when nobody realised the extent of the disaster, the government's response was quick and efficient.

The Economist

Burying his head in his hand as he realized the extent of the disaster, he tried initially to wriggle free.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on a disaster, use "extent of the disaster" to clearly communicate the scope and magnitude of its impact, including affected areas, number of people impacted, and estimated damages.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the "extent of the disaster" in initial reports. Prematurely declaring the situation as the "worst in history" can lead to misinformation and panic. Wait for verified data from reliable sources before making definitive statements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extent of the disaster" functions as a noun phrase that describes the scope, magnitude, or reach of a disastrous event. It is commonly used to quantify or qualify the impact of a negative occurrence, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

12%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "extent of the disaster" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe the scope and magnitude of a calamitous event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and utility across various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media, but also appears in academic and encyclopedic sources. When using the phrase, it is important to avoid exaggeration and focus on conveying accurate information about the scale of the disaster. Alternative phrases such as "magnitude of the catastrophe" or "scope of the emergency" can be used to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

magnitude of the catastrophe

Replaces "extent" with "magnitude" and "disaster" with "catastrophe", emphasizing the scale of the event.

scope of the emergency

Uses "scope" instead of "extent" and "emergency" instead of "disaster", focusing on the range of the situation.

scale of the devastation

Substitutes "extent" with "scale" and "disaster" with "devastation", highlighting the destructive impact.

impact of the crisis

Focuses on the "impact" rather than the "extent", changing the focus to the effects of a "crisis".

seriousness of the event

Emphasizes the gravity or "seriousness" of the "event" rather than its measurable "extent".

full impact of the tragedy

Highlights the complete "impact" of a "tragedy", shifting the focus to the emotional and human cost.

reach of the incident

Focuses on the "reach" or range of an "incident" rather than its overall "extent".

implications of the catastrophe

Changes the focus to the long-term "implications" of the "catastrophe", rather than just its immediate "extent".

dimensions of the crisis

Uses "dimensions" to convey the multifaceted nature of the "crisis", instead of focusing on its "extent".

consequences of the calamity

Shifts the emphasis to the "consequences" of the "calamity", looking at the results rather than the scope.

FAQs

How can I use "extent of the disaster" in a sentence?

You can use "extent of the disaster" to describe the scale or impact of a calamitous event. For example: "The "extent of the disaster" became clear as rescue teams reached remote areas."

What are some alternatives to "extent of the disaster"?

Alternatives include "magnitude of the catastrophe", "scope of the emergency", or "scale of the devastation", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "impact of the disaster" or "extent of the disaster"?

"Impact of the disaster" focuses on the effects and consequences, while "extent of the disaster" focuses on the scale and scope. The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the effects or the geographical/numerical size of the event.

How do news outlets determine the "extent of the disaster"?

News outlets typically gather data from on-the-ground reporting, government agencies, aid organizations, and scientific analyses to assess the geographic area affected, the number of people impacted, infrastructure damage, and economic losses to determine the "extent of the disaster".