has been devastating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been devastating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing impact or effect that has caused significant harm or distress over a period of time. Example: "The recent natural disasters have been devastating for the local communities, leaving many without homes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This has been devastating.

The New York Times

"It has been devastating," Ms. Desai said.

The New York Times

For Syriza, this dynamic has been devastating.

The Economist

Wheeler's response, lately, has been devastating.

The New York Times - Sports

The economic impact has been devastating too.

The Guardian - Sport

The effect has been devastating.

The Guardian

The global collapse has been devastating.

The New York Times - Arts

This deficiency of temperament has been devastating.

The New York Times

"This has been devastating to the community".

The New York Times - Sports

The cumulative effect has been devastating.

The Guardian

The impact on women has been devastating.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse. While common, consider stronger alternatives like "catastrophic" or "ruinous" if the situation warrants greater emphasis.

Common error

Don't use "has been devastating" to describe trivial or minor setbacks. Reserve it for situations with truly significant negative consequences. Using it inappropriately dilutes its impact and can sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been devastating" functions as a stative verb phrase describing a state of extreme negative impact or ruin. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where it describes the ongoing and severe consequences of events or situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been devastating" is a powerful way to describe situations with profoundly negative and lasting consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While it's appropriate for formal writing, avoid using it for trivial matters. Consider alternatives like "catastrophic" or "ruinous" for added emphasis. The phrase serves to emphasize the severity and long-term repercussions of events or situations. It is more formal than related alternatives, such as "wrecked" or "trashed".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been catastrophic

Replaces "devastating" with a term implying a sudden, widespread disaster.

has been ruinous

Emphasizes the destructive and irreparable nature of the impact.

has been calamitous

Highlights the disastrous and unfortunate nature of the situation.

has been destructive

Focuses on the act of destruction and its consequences.

has been crippling

Suggests a severe limitation or weakening effect.

has been severely damaging

Adds emphasis to the damaging nature of the impact.

has had a dire impact

Shifts the focus to the impact being extremely serious or urgent.

has caused widespread destruction

Highlights the broad reach and scale of the destruction.

has wrought havoc

Implies widespread disorder and devastation.

has inflicted heavy damage

Focuses on the act of inflicting significant damage.

FAQs

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

Use "has been devastating" to describe something that has caused significant damage or harm over a period of time. For example, "The economic impact has been devastating" or "Losing her job, she said, has been devastating.

What are some alternatives to "has been devastating"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "has been catastrophic", "has been ruinous", or "has been crippling".

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

Yes, "has been devastating" is suitable for formal writing when describing situations with substantial negative impacts. However, ensure the severity of the situation warrants such strong language. In some cases, less emotive alternatives may be more appropriate.

What makes "has been devastating" different from "has been damaging"?

"Has been devastating" implies a more severe and far-reaching negative impact than "has been damaging". "Devastating" suggests a complete or near-complete destruction or ruin, while "damaging" implies harm or impairment that may not be as severe.