has been devastated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been devastated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or place that has experienced severe destruction or emotional distress over a period of time. Example: "The community has been devastated by the recent natural disaster, leaving many families without homes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Their province has been devastated.

The Economist

"This area has been devastated.

The New York Times

Everywhere the eye falls has been devastated, ruined, looted.

The New York Times

The tourism industry, which had been thriving, has been devastated.

The Economist

The agency has been devastated by high turnover rates.

The New York Times

"The historic center of L'Aquila has been devastated".

The Guardian

One Bordentown family has been devastated by cardiomyopathy.

The New York Times

Further education has been devastated – and Vince Cable claims he was encouraged to finish it off.

Independent

He must quickly rebuild the Education Department's leadership, which has been devastated by high-profile resignations.

The New York Times

Tourism, a pillar of the Tibetan economy, has been devastated by the clampdown.

The Economist

The reality is that this plant has been devastated by an explosion.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been devastated", ensure the context clearly indicates the cause of the devastation, providing specific details about what has been affected and the extent of the damage.

Common error

Avoid using "has been devastated" without specifying what caused the devastation. Provide concrete details to illustrate the severity and nature of the impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been devastated" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something (a place, economy, community, etc.) has experienced significant destruction or damage. As evidenced by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used to describe the aftermath of disasters, conflicts, or economic downturns.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been devastated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for describing severe damage or destruction. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it functions as a passive voice construction, primarily used in news, scientific, and formal contexts to convey the gravity of a situation. While alternatives like ""has been destroyed"" or ""has been ruined"" exist, "has been devastated" carries a nuanced implication of prolonged and widespread impact. When employing this phrase, ensure to provide specific context to enhance clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been destroyed

Emphasizes physical ruin or destruction.

has been ravaged

Suggests violent or destructive action, often by natural forces or conflict.

has been ruined

Highlights the state of being irreparably damaged or spoiled.

has been shattered

Implies a complete and sudden breakdown or destruction.

has been crippled

Focuses on the disabling or weakening effect of the devastation.

has been decimated

Indicates a significant reduction in number or strength.

has been impaired

Highlights the reduced functionality or effectiveness due to damage.

has been wrecked

Emphasizes the state of being severely damaged or broken.

has suffered greatly

Focuses on the experience of enduring significant harm or distress.

has been severely impacted

Indicates a strong and adverse effect.

FAQs

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

You can use "has been devastated" to describe a place, community, or entity that has experienced severe damage or destruction. For example, "The coastal town "has been devastated" by the hurricane".

What are some alternatives to "has been devastated"?

Alternatives include "has been destroyed", "has been ruined", or "has been ravaged". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "has been devastated" or "was devastated"?

"Has been devastated" implies that the devastation occurred in the past and its effects are still present. "Was devastated" simply indicates that the devastation occurred in the past. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the ongoing impact.

What's the difference between "has been devastated" and "has suffered greatly"?

"Has been devastated" typically refers to physical or structural damage, while "has suffered greatly" can refer to emotional or abstract forms of hardship. The former is more concrete, while the latter is more figurative.