it devastates me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it devastates me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express strong emotional pain or distress caused by a situation or event. Example: "Hearing about the tragedy in the news really devastates me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"It devastates me that I was able to live without Lou for the last year," she said, sitting in Redheads, a strip-mall restaurant where hundreds of mourners gathered last year after her husband's memorial service.

The New York Times

It devastates me to know that I missed the mark, and I will strive to do better, every day.

TechCrunch

While history repeatedly shows the resilience and strength of black children and families, it devastates me to think that society might one day become so numb to statistics like those above that future generations of black boys and girls will start accepting racism this deadly as "normal".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It devastated me.

Independent

This book... it devastated me, destroyed me.

The Guardian

It was very unsuccessful - it devastated me!

The Guardian - Sport

"Inevitably, when I left my job, it devastated me.

The New York Times

After college, when I couldn't run or compete anymore, it devastated me.

The New York Times

"It devastated me and my family," said Carlos Perez-Carrillo, who said Mr. Salazar molested him repeatedly at St . Bernard High Schoolin Playa del Rey 20 years ago.

The New York Times

When the tyre blew, it devastated me for a split second, but you just have to overcome it and keep your head together.

BBC

Needless to say, it devastated me.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context when using this phrase, as it can be quite impactful and may not be appropriate for all situations. Adjust your language to match the tone and expectations of your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "it devastates me" too frequently, as it can lose its impact. Vary your language by using synonyms or alternative expressions to convey similar emotions without sounding repetitive or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it devastates me" functions as an expressive statement conveying a strong personal emotional reaction. It typically serves as a subject-verb-object construction where "it" refers to a situation or event, "devastates" is the verb indicating the action, and "me" is the object experiencing the emotional impact. As seen in the provided examples and according to Ludwig, this phrase is used to communicate deep distress or sadness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it devastates me" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for conveying deep emotional distress. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it is most frequently used in news and media contexts, serving the purpose of expressing profound emotional impact. While the phrase is considered correct, as noted by Ludwig, it's important to use it judiciously and consider the audience and context to ensure the message is impactful and sincere. Alternatives such as "it breaks my heart" or "it crushes me" can provide variety and nuance depending on the specific emotion you wish to express.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it crushes me

Emphasizes the feeling of being overwhelmed and emotionally broken by something.

it breaks my heart

Highlights the sadness and sorrow caused by a particular situation.

it deeply saddens me

Focuses on the feeling of profound sadness.

it grieves me

Indicates a feeling of deep sorrow, often associated with loss or tragedy.

it pains me to see

Highlights the personal suffering experienced when witnessing something unpleasant.

it upsets me greatly

Emphasizes the significant emotional disturbance caused.

it distresses me

Focuses on the anxiety and worry caused by a situation.

it dismays me

Highlights the feeling of shock and disappointment.

it appalls me

Indicates a strong feeling of disgust and outrage.

it outrages me

Focuses on the anger and indignation caused by an event.

FAQs

How can I use "it devastates me" in a sentence?

You can use "it devastates me" to express a strong emotional reaction. For example, "It devastates me to see the suffering of others" or "It devastates me that I couldn't do more to help."

What can I say instead of "it devastates me"?

You can use alternatives like "it breaks my heart", "it crushes me", or "it deeply saddens me" depending on the context and the specific emotion you want to convey.

Is "it devastates me" too strong of a phrase to use in professional settings?

While "it devastates me" can be powerful, consider the context. In professional settings, it might be more appropriate to use less emotionally charged phrases like "it is very disappointing" or "it is deeply concerning" to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "it devastates me" and "it saddens me"?

"It devastates me" expresses a much stronger emotional impact than "it saddens me". "It devastates me" implies a profound emotional upset, whereas "it saddens me" simply suggests a feeling of sorrow or unhappiness.