financially ruinous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "financially ruinous" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means something that causes financial ruin or devastation. Example: The company's decision to invest in risky stocks proved to be financially ruinous, leading to bankruptcy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Financial instability means a higher likelihood of divorce, which can be financially ruinous to women in particular.

The Guardian - Opinion

"And financially ruinous".

The New Yorker

It can be a financially ruinous affair.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It was financially ruinous for us both".

The New York Times

The service's operator, Reliance Group, says it is financially ruinous.

The Economist

However, not only are those services generally inadequate and financially ruinous.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

But China's approach to renewable energy has proved ruinous, financially and in terms of trade relations with the United States and the European Union.

The New York Times

But, like payday loans, which are commonly aimed at lower-income borrowers, pension loans can turn ruinous for people who are already financially vulnerable, because of the loans' high costs.

The New York Times

Ruinous friends?

The New Yorker

The war proved ruinous.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(Riches without virtue are ruinous).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of an event on an organization, use "financially ruinous" to emphasize the potential for complete financial collapse, as opposed to merely a loss or setback.

Common error

Avoid using "financially ruinous" to describe situations that only involve temporary or minor financial difficulties. Reserve it for scenarios with dire, potentially irreversible consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "financially ruinous" primarily functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe something capable of causing complete financial devastation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Opinion

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "financially ruinous" is a commonly used and grammatically correct adjective phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, employed to describe scenarios that lead to severe financial devastation. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as opinion pieces, it serves to emphasize the gravity of financial situations and warn against potential risks. While semantically similar alternatives such as "economically devastating" or "fiscally catastrophic" exist, it's crucial to reserve "financially ruinous" for situations of significant, potentially irreversible financial collapse, avoiding its overuse in minor setbacks. As such, understanding its appropriate context is key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

economically devastating

Replaces "financially" with "economically" focusing on the broader economic impact rather than just financial aspects.

fiscally catastrophic

Uses more formal vocabulary ("fiscally", "catastrophic") to convey a similar meaning with a heightened sense of severity.

financially crippling

Emphasizes the restrictive and limiting impact on finances.

leading to bankruptcy

Focuses on the ultimate outcome of financial ruin: bankruptcy.

causing financial devastation

Highlights the act of causing widespread financial destruction.

resulting in insolvency

Uses a more technical term ("insolvency") to denote the inability to pay debts.

a path to financial collapse

Suggests a process or trajectory leading to complete financial failure.

creating financial hardship

Focuses on the difficulty and struggle caused by financial problems.

posing an insurmountable financial burden

Highlights the oppressive and overwhelming nature of the financial difficulty.

plunging into deep debt

Emphasizes the accumulation of substantial debt as a result.

FAQs

How can I use "financially ruinous" in a sentence?

You can use "financially ruinous" to describe situations or decisions that lead to severe financial loss or bankruptcy. For example: "The failed business venture proved to be "financially ruinous" for the family."

What can I say instead of "financially ruinous"?

You can use alternatives like "economically devastating", "fiscally catastrophic", or "financially crippling" depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "financially ruinous" or "economically ruinous"?

Both "financially ruinous" and "economically ruinous" are valid, but "financially ruinous" focuses more specifically on the immediate financial impact, while "economically ruinous" broadens the scope to the overall economic consequences.

Can a single event be described as "financially ruinous"?

Yes, a single event, such as a lawsuit, natural disaster, or bad investment, can be described as "financially ruinous" if it leads to severe and irreversible financial damage.