in complete disaster

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in complete disaster" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation that is entirely chaotic or unsuccessful, but the correct form would be "in complete disarray" or "in a complete disaster." Example: "The project ended up in complete disaster after the team failed to meet the deadlines."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"Yet the service resulted in complete disaster".

The New York Times

The implications for the Third World are clear: Urbanization on an epic scale is inevitably traumatic, but it need not end in complete disaster.

Forbes

If this one doesn't end in complete disaster, Symons will be thinking about selling when the ratio of Smithfield's market value to annual sales, now 7%, gets close to its ten-year average of 40%.

Forbes

This will end in complete disaster.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

So Newton's offensive line went from a major problem in 2015 to a complete disaster in 2016.

The Guardian - Sport

At the summit meeting in Egypt, President Clinton struggled to bequeath his successor something other than a complete disaster in the Middle East.

The New York Times

He was able to avoid complete disaster in the Russo-Swedish War by his brilliant naval victory at Svensksund (July 1790), and he ended the war with a peace treaty the following month.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The idea was to encourage carbon saving where it was cheapest (ie, in developing countries), increasing efficiency.In this section Dream turns to nightmare Voice in the wilderness Casting a spell The union movement Bradley's winnings Rotten eggs and gadflies Complete Disaster in the Making Hayek on the standing committee ReprintsThe trouble is that the supply of credits has far outstripped demand.

The Economist

Related charges were settled by UBS in 2009; the bank paid a fine of $780m, from which Mr Birkenfeld will get his award.In this section Dream turns to nightmare Voice in the wilderness Casting a spell The union movement Bradley's winnings Rotten eggs and gadflies Complete Disaster in the Making Hayek on the standing committee ReprintsHis actions have had big consequences.

The Economist

The idea was to encourage carbon saving where it was cheapest (ie, in developing countries), increasing efficiency.In this section Dream turns to nightmare Voice in the wilderness Casting a spell The union movement Rotten eggs and gadflies Bradley's winnings Complete Disaster in the Making Hayek on the standing committee ReprintsThe trouble is that the supply of credits has far outstripped demand.

The Economist

"It was a totally ill-conceived foreign expansion".In this section Dream turns to nightmare Voice in the wilderness Casting a spell The union movement Bradley's winnings Rotten eggs and gadflies Complete Disaster in the Making Hayek on the standing committee ReprintsYet other banks are pulling back hard, too.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer using more grammatically standard phrases like "in a complete disaster" or "in utter chaos" to ensure clarity and avoid potential misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "in" directly before "complete disaster". Instead, use "in a complete disaster" or rephrase to use alternatives like "utter", "total", or "absolute" before "disaster".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in complete disaster" functions as a prepositional phrase, attempting to describe a state or condition. However, its grammatical correctness is questionable, as noted by Ludwig, which suggests alternative formulations are more appropriate.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

25%

Science

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in complete disaster" is considered grammatically incorrect, as pointed out by Ludwig. While it appears in some sources, primarily news and media, it's better to use alternatives like "in a complete disaster", "in utter chaos", or "in total disarray" for clarity and correctness. These options provide similar meanings while adhering to standard English grammar conventions. Therefore, while understandable, "in complete disaster" should be avoided in formal or academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in utter chaos

Replaces "complete disaster" with a more abstract term, focusing on the state of disorder.

in total disarray

Emphasizes the lack of organization and order, similar to a disastrous situation.

in absolute ruin

Highlights the destructive aspect of the situation, implying a state of devastation.

in a state of collapse

Suggests a breakdown or failure, akin to a disaster unfolding.

amidst complete failure

Focuses on the lack of success and the overall negative outcome.

in the wake of total devastation

Highlights the aftermath and the extent of the damage.

experiencing total failure

Shifts the focus to the process and the lack of achievement.

facing utter catastrophe

Uses a more dramatic term to describe the impending disaster.

engulfed in total pandemonium

Conveys a sense of wild and chaotic disorder.

consumed by utter misfortune

Highlights the unfortunate and negative circumstances.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically correct way to say "in complete disaster"?

You can use phrases like "in utter chaos", "in total disarray", or "in a complete disaster".

Is "in complete disaster" considered formal English?

No, "in complete disaster" isn't considered formal. Use more precise and grammatically sound alternatives like "absolute ruin" or "utter failure" in formal writing.

Can I use "in complete disaster" in any situation?

While it might be understood, it's best to avoid "in complete disaster" in formal contexts. Opt for alternatives like "total devastation" for clarity and grammatical correctness.

What's the difference between "in complete disaster" and "in a complete disaster"?

"In a complete disaster" is grammatically preferable to "in complete disaster". Using the article "a" makes the phrase sound more natural and correct, aligning with standard English grammar.