has been catastrophic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been catastrophic" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that has had extremely negative consequences or outcomes over a period of time. Example: "The recent natural disasters have been catastrophic, leading to widespread destruction and loss of life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Inaction has been catastrophic.

The New York Times

"The decline of wildebeest has been catastrophic.

The Guardian

The damage to Lebanon, meanwhile, has been catastrophic.

The New Yorker

For some landscapers, the die-off has been catastrophic.

The New York Times - Science

The effect, admits one senior figure, has been catastrophic.

The Guardian

The impact on the licensed trade in Scotland has been "catastrophic".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

That would have been catastrophic".

The Guardian

On the contrary, he said, it would have been "catastrophic".

The New York Times

"If we allowed that, the results would have been catastrophic".

The New York Times

The loss would have been catastrophic for him.

The Guardian

A three-run homer could have been catastrophic.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To emphasize the severity, consider pairing "has been catastrophic" with specific examples of the damage or loss that has occurred.

Common error

Avoid using "has been catastrophic" to describe situations that are merely inconvenient or disappointing. Reserve this phrase for truly devastating events or outcomes to maintain credibility and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been catastrophic" functions as a descriptor, specifically attributing a state of extreme damage or disaster to a situation or event. It utilizes an auxiliary verb to emphasize the ongoing nature or lasting impact of the catastrophe. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been catastrophic" is a phrase used to describe situations or events that have resulted in significant and widespread damage or loss. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, primarily in News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure the context justifies the severity of the description and provides clear examples of the devastating impact. Ludwig AI shows the phrase can be easily replaced with similar terms, like has been devastating or has resulted in disaster to adjust the tone or focus of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has proven devastating

Replaces "catastrophic" with "devastating", altering the intensity while retaining a negative outcome.

has resulted in disaster

Substitutes "catastrophic" with a more descriptive phrase "resulted in disaster", focusing on the outcome.

has had ruinous consequences

Replaces "catastrophic" with "ruinous consequences", highlighting the detrimental impact.

has been extremely damaging

Uses "extremely damaging" instead of "catastrophic", softening the intensity of the impact.

has caused widespread devastation

Replaces the adjective with a descriptive phrase emphasizing the extent of the damage.

has brought about calamity

Substitutes "catastrophic" with "brought about calamity", adding a sense of impending doom.

has inflicted severe harm

Replaces "catastrophic" with "inflicted severe harm", shifting the focus to the act of causing damage.

has been utterly destructive

Uses "utterly destructive" instead of "catastrophic", emphasizing the total nature of the damage.

has precipitated utter failure

Substitutes "catastrophic" with "precipitated utter failure", highlighting the complete lack of success.

has triggered immense loss

Replaces "catastrophic" with "triggered immense loss", focusing on what was lost as a result.

FAQs

How can I use "has been catastrophic" in a sentence?

Use "has been catastrophic" to describe events with extremely negative and widespread consequences. For example, "The oil spill "has been catastrophic" for the marine ecosystem."

What are some alternatives to "has been catastrophic"?

Alternatives include "has been devastating", "has resulted in disaster", or "has had ruinous consequences", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "has been catastrophic" in formal writing?

Yes, "has been catastrophic" is appropriate for formal writing when accurately describing a situation with severely negative consequences. Ensure the tone and context align with the gravity of the statement.

What is the difference between "has been catastrophic" and "was catastrophic"?

"Has been catastrophic" implies that the catastrophic effects are ongoing or continue to be felt, whereas "was catastrophic" suggests the period of catastrophic impact is in the past.