is devastating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is devastating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that causes severe emotional or physical distress or destruction. Example: "The news of the disaster is devastating to the entire community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

The flooding is devastating.

The New York Times

"That evidence is devastating".

The New York Times

The loss is devastating.

The New York Times - Health

Late blight is devastating.

Cornell University

"This is devastating for us".

The New York Times - Sports

AIDS, too, is devastating agriculture.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Our group is devastated.

The New York Times

Marlee is devastated.

The New York Times - Books

Thurlow is devastated.

The New York Times - Books

Brady is devastated?

The New York Times - Tech

Maddy is devastated.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is devastating" to describe situations with significant and lasting negative effects, whether emotional, physical, or societal.

Common error

Avoid using "is devastating" to describe minor inconveniences or setbacks. This diminishes the impact of the word when describing genuinely catastrophic events.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "is devastating" is to serve as a predicate adjective, describing the subject of the sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts, illustrating its role in expressing the severity of a situation or event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is devastating" is a powerful expression used to describe situations causing significant damage or emotional distress. Ludwig AI analysis, based on a wealth of real-world examples, confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across various reputable sources, particularly in news and media. While grammatically sound and widely used, it's crucial to employ this phrase judiciously, reserving it for situations of genuine severity to avoid diluting its impact. Exploring alternatives like "is ruinous" or "is catastrophic" can provide nuanced options for conveying similar meanings. Remember, effective communication hinges on precision and appropriateness, and "is devastating" is a valuable tool when used with careful consideration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is ruinous

Changes the verb from "devastating" to "ruinous", emphasizing the destructive nature.

is calamitous

Replaces "devastating" with "calamitous", highlighting the disastrous consequences.

is catastrophic

Substitutes "devastating" with "catastrophic", stressing the immense scale of the disaster.

is profoundly damaging

Uses "profoundly damaging" instead of "devastating" to emphasize the deep and lasting harm caused.

is severely destructive

Emphasizes the intensity of destruction by using "severely destructive" instead of the single word "devastating".

is causing immense destruction

Rephrases "is devastating" to focus on the action of causing destruction.

is having a terrible impact

Shifts the focus to the impact of something, using "terrible impact" to convey a similar meaning to "devastating".

is wreaking havoc

Uses the idiom "wreaking havoc" to describe the destructive effects, offering a more vivid expression.

is leaving a trail of destruction

Focuses on the aftermath of the event, highlighting the extensive damage left behind.

is completely obliterating

Uses "completely obliterating" instead of "devastating" to convey total destruction.

FAQs

How can I use "is devastating" in a sentence?

Use "is devastating" to describe something that causes significant damage or emotional distress. For example, "The loss of their home is devastating".

What phrases can I use instead of "is devastating"?

Alternatives include "is ruinous", "is calamitous", or "is catastrophic" depending on the specific context.

Which is more appropriate: "is devastating" or "is disappointing"?

"Is devastating" implies a much greater degree of damage or sorrow than "is disappointing". Choose "is devastating" when the situation involves significant negative consequences or emotional impact.

What's the difference between "is devastating" and "is unfortunate"?

"Is devastating" describes something that causes extreme distress or destruction, while "is unfortunate" simply indicates something is undesirable. The scale of impact is the key difference.