harrowing events

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "harrowing events" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe experiences that are extremely distressing or traumatic. Example: "The documentary focused on the harrowing events of the war, showcasing the struggles faced by the civilians."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

He mixes harrowing events with peaceful protests and glimmers of hope.

The Economist

But amid the harrowing events taking place, the author inserts a ray of hope.

The Guardian

Instead, the climbers experienced what became a famous series of harrowing events.

The New York Times

She's wounded, but a life "largely deficient of harrowing events" has left her suspicious of wounds she considers possibly fraudulent.

The New York Times - Books

Haunted by the harrowing events in Venice, the women go off separately to contemplate their flighty husbands and wonder: Is that all there is? Everything is transactional.

The New York Times

Mr. Lipp, stoking the grill with fresh charcoal, pondered whether the harrowing events of the past year had cast a pall over this most carefree of seasons.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Alan, the seemingly open-minded academic, finds his liberalism challenged both by a harrowing event he keeps putting off describing and the exoticism of his most stimulating student, who is black or, as he quickly amends, African-American.

The New York Times

Haunted by the violent death of a black woman with Tourette's syndrome 20 years earlier, an English schoolteacher recreates the harrowing event with the help of newspaper clippings, police reports and personal letters, and forces her racist neighbors to confront their role in the murder.

The New York Times - Books

"I was calm," Mr. Sidinta, a 38-year-old bricklayer, said the day after the harrowing event.

The New York Times

As the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attack approaches and the country remembers the harrowing event, she said the pain, flashbacks and nightmares she regularly experiences have intensified.

Independent

Equally restrained yet full of feeling, Nancy Carpenter's illustrations, a mixture of pen and ink and watercolor, hit an evocative, cinematic peak in depicting a nighttime rescue at sea, a harrowing event that propels the story to its happy ending.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "harrowing events" with specific details to create a vivid and impactful narrative. For instance, "The survivors recounted the harrowing events of the earthquake, detailing the destruction and loss they witnessed."

Common error

Avoid using "harrowing events" to describe minor setbacks or inconveniences. This phrase should be reserved for situations involving significant trauma and suffering.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harrowing events" functions as a noun phrase, where 'harrowing' acts as an adjective modifying the noun 'events'. It typically describes a series of occurrences that are deeply distressing or traumatic. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "harrowing events" is a phrase used to describe deeply distressing or traumatic occurrences. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. The phrase functions as a noun phrase, with 'harrowing' modifying 'events'. It is commonly used in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, to convey a sense of intense suffering and emotional impact. When using this phrase, it's crucial to reserve it for situations involving genuine trauma to avoid trivializing serious subjects. Alternatives include "traumatic experiences" and "distressing incidents", each with slightly different nuances. The phrase's authority is supported by its presence in respected sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

traumatic experiences

Focuses on the psychological impact; less emphasis on the immediate event.

distressing incidents

Highlights the causing of distress; broader in scope.

terrible ordeals

Emphasizes the severity and difficulty of the experiences.

tragic occurrences

Focuses on the sadness and loss associated with the events.

grievous episodes

Emphasizes the pain and suffering involved; slightly more formal.

shocking developments

Highlights the surprise and disbelief caused by the events.

painful episodes

Focuses on the emotional and physical pain experienced.

calamitous incidents

Emphasizes the disastrous and unfortunate nature of the events.

devastating experiences

Highlights the overwhelming and ruinous impact of the events.

agonizing situations

Focuses on the intense mental and emotional suffering involved.

FAQs

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

You can use "harrowing events" to describe experiences that are extremely distressing or traumatic. For example, "The documentary focused on the "harrowing events" of the war, showcasing the struggles faced by the civilians."

What are some alternatives to "harrowing events"?

You can use alternatives like "traumatic experiences", "distressing incidents", or "terrible ordeals" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "harrowing events" in a lighthearted context?

No, "harrowing events" should not be used in lighthearted or trivial situations. It is best reserved for describing genuinely distressing or traumatic experiences to maintain its impact and avoid trivializing serious subjects.

How does "harrowing events" differ from "stressful events"?

"Harrowing events" implies a much greater degree of emotional distress and trauma than "stressful events". While stressful events can be challenging, harrowing events involve significant suffering and potential long-term psychological impact.