immediate tragedy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "immediate tragedy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a tragic event that occurs suddenly or without warning, often with significant impact. Example: "The earthquake resulted in an immediate tragedy, leaving many families devastated and in need of assistance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It's an immediate tragedy".

The New Yorker

His choice of words suggested that he was looking beyond the immediate tragedy to his ICC court appointment in November.

The Economist

What impact this will have, beyond the immediate tragedy, on how the conflict unfolds is going to depend on who is responsible and how they respond.

The Guardian

For Cunningham's characters – gay, bohemian, liberal – this would be devastating, were they not already facing the more immediate tragedy of terminal cancer.

The Guardian - Books

For every one immediate tragedy of execution or abduction by the LRA, there are untold stories of people fighting a quieter fight – struggling against the pervasive and insidious effects of instability.

The New York Times

QUESTION FROM LISA: If the media continues to keep light on Haiti long after the immediate tragedy is under control, it would help keep everyone interested over the long haul.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

While immediate tragedies garnered global media attention during the past year, the HAR report highlights crises that have gotten inadequate attention.

Unicef

Apart from the immediate human tragedy, such an attack would have dire long-term effects on America's political and social fabric by eroding people's trust in the competence of their government.

The Economist

Not only would this help pay for handling an immediate human tragedy, it could provide resources for inevitable future problems of the global public sphere, like the rise of environmental refugees in a warming world.

The Guardian - Opinion

In a reference to the Iraq war -- which the pope opposed -- he added, "I think that he thought that you shouldn't initiate war, even against oppressive leaders, until there was some immediate human tragedy pending".

The New York Times

But those concerns will fall on deaf ears until the immediate human tragedy at play here in northern Alberta has subsided.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "immediate tragedy" to emphasize the sudden and impactful nature of a tragic event. This phrase is suitable when describing events that have just occurred or whose effects are being immediately felt.

Common error

Avoid using "immediate tragedy" repetitively in a text. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "sudden calamity" or "instant disaster" to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "immediate tragedy" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "immediate" modifies the noun "tragedy". It describes a tragic event that has just occurred or is currently unfolding. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "immediate tragedy" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a sudden and impactful tragic event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English and often employed in news and formal contexts to convey urgency and severity. While synonyms such as "instant disaster" and "sudden calamity" offer alternatives, the core meaning remains consistent. It's important to avoid overuse and consider the specific context when choosing this phrase to maintain clarity and impact in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instant disaster

Replaces "tragedy" with a more general term for a sudden and devastating event.

sudden calamity

Emphasizes the unexpected and disastrous nature of the event.

acute misfortune

Highlights the severity and immediacy of the unfortunate event.

pressing catastrophe

Focuses on the urgency and catastrophic nature of the tragedy.

urgent crisis

Shifts the focus to the critical and time-sensitive aspect of the situation.

dire emergency

Emphasizes the severity and urgent need for action.

abrupt devastation

Highlights the sudden and destructive impact of the event.

instantaneous woe

Focuses on the quick and sorrowful nature of the event.

precipitate disaster

Emphasizes the sudden and unexpected nature of the disaster.

sudden tribulation

Highlights the unexpected and distressing nature of the event.

FAQs

How to use "immediate tragedy" in a sentence?

You can use "immediate tragedy" to describe a devastating event that occurs suddenly and has a significant impact, for example: "The earthquake resulted in an "immediate tragedy", leaving many families homeless."

What can I say instead of "immediate tragedy"?

You can use alternatives like "instant disaster", "sudden calamity", or "acute misfortune" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "immediate tragedy" and "imminent tragedy"?

"Immediate tragedy" refers to a tragedy that has already occurred, while "imminent tragedy" refers to a tragedy that is about to happen or is likely to occur soon.

Is it appropriate to use "immediate tragedy" in formal writing?

Yes, "immediate tragedy" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in news reports, academic papers, or official statements when describing a recent and impactful tragic event.