fairly devastating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fairly devastating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has a significant negative impact, but not to an extreme degree. Example: "The news of the company's closure was fairly devastating to the employees who had dedicated years of their lives to the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

And it was Souder who stood out from his Republican colleagues by stating during the hearing that the depositions were "fairly devastating" against Clemens.

The New York Times - Sports

It is exhaustingly self-conscious, mannered and cute – the opening 40 pages of "rules and suggestions for enjoyment of this book" have not aged well – but it is also funny, far-sighted and fairly devastating.

The Guardian - Books

Mark E. Souder, Republican of Indiana, one of the few who refused Mr. Clemens's request to meet with him, deviated from other Republicans, stating that the depositions were "fairly devastating" against Clemens.

The New York Times - Sports

But when someone tells you, you can't have another one, it's fairly devastating.

Huffington Post

"There are days where if you really start to let your mind wander, it's fairly devastating.

Huffington Post

Orwell came to politics through fairly devastating personal experience, above all in what Hitchens calls his two great epiphanies -- as a colonial policeman in Burma, where he saw and practiced cruelty and self-censorship in the name of empire, and in Barcelona, where he became both a committed socialist and an unillusioned anti-Communist.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

David Caulfield (@SnookerHQ) @hunterfelt Fairly devastated this is the first match of the day.

The Guardian - Sport

It's pretty devastating".

The New York Times - Sports

Chestnut's departure was devastating because he'd always treated us fairly, even favorably, going out of his way to treat us as equals and as parishioners.

Vice

On the other, even a fairly modest rise in average temperatures translates into a much higher frequency of extreme events — like the devastating drought now gripping America's heartland — that do vast damage.

The New York Times

Bilbao then break with devastating speed but the final ball is too heavy by Llorente and Ferdinand blocks his run, fairly.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fairly devastating" to describe situations where the impact is significant and negative, but not to the highest possible degree. It allows for nuance and avoids hyperbole.

Common error

Avoid using "fairly devastating" when a situation is only mildly negative. Reserve it for impacts that are genuinely serious but not catastrophic, such as saying "The delay was "somewhat disappointing"" instead of "fairly devastating".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly devastating" functions as an intensifier + adjective, modifying a noun to describe the degree of its negative impact. Ludwig AI suggests that it indicates something significantly negative, but not to an extreme level, adding nuance by avoiding hyperbole.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fairly devastating" is a phrase used to describe situations with a significant negative impact that falls short of being utterly catastrophic. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and acceptable in English writing, suitable for expressing a serious setback or disappointment without overstatement. Its usage frequency is uncommon, predominantly appearing in news and media sources. The phrase offers a nuanced way to convey strong negative sentiment. When using this phrase, be mindful of the context and audience and make sure that the magnitude of the situation is in line with the phrase you chose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite ruinous

Emphasizes the destructive nature, implying a degree of damage that is substantial but not absolute.

moderately calamitous

Highlights the disastrous aspect but suggests it's contained or not as widespread as a full-blown catastrophe.

somewhat catastrophic

Similar to 'moderately calamitous', but slightly more intense, implying a greater degree of disaster.

pretty damaging

A more informal way to express a significant negative impact, suggesting considerable harm.

rather destructive

Focuses on the element of destruction, indicating a considerable level of damage or disruption.

significantly harmful

Highlights the detrimental effects, emphasizing the importance of the harm caused.

considerably adverse

Emphasizes the negative or unfavorable nature of the impact, highlighting its significance.

noticeably detrimental

Suggests that the negative impact is easily observed and significant.

distinctly unfortunate

Downplays the severity to make it seem less bad, but also is used to express a loss or a mishap.

partially crushing

Conveys a sense of being overwhelmed or defeated, but not entirely.

FAQs

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

You can use "fairly devastating" to describe news, events, or situations that have a significant negative impact, but not to the highest degree. For example, "The company's financial losses were "fairly devastating" to its investors.".

What's the difference between "fairly devastating" and "absolutely devastating"?

"Fairly devastating" implies a significant negative impact that is not total or complete, while "absolutely devastating" suggests a total or overwhelming level of destruction or impact.

What are some alternatives to saying "fairly devastating"?

Alternatives include "quite ruinous", "moderately calamitous", or "pretty damaging" depending on the specific context and level of formality you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "fairly devastating" in formal writing?

While "fairly devastating" is acceptable, in more formal contexts, you might consider stronger or more precise alternatives such as "significantly harmful" or "considerably adverse", depending on the specific nature of the impact you are describing.