it has been devastated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has been devastated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something has been severely damaged or destroyed, often in a figurative sense, such as an area affected by disaster or a community impacted by tragedy. Example: "The once-thriving town has been devastated by the recent hurricane, leaving many families homeless."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

A third of its population lives in poverty and it has been devastated by natural disaster and civil conflict.

Huffington Post

But it has been devastated in the past 30 years by privatisation and trade liberalisation, which have forced millions of people off the land and into cities.

The Guardian

She has also dishevelled the space: the ceiling looks as if it has been devastated by fire or flood, with sooty beams and curling strips of paper.

The Guardian - Books

It has been devastated by a combination of a long drought caused by a strong El Niño weather cycle and climate change.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

It has been devastating to the Knicks' spirits.

The New York Times - Sports

What is uncontested is that it has been devastating to Eliot Spitzer.

The New Yorker

It has been devastating to realise I don't have my management's full support".

The Guardian

"It has been devastating to say the least," said Mr. Cox, general manager of Lighthouse Construction in Osterville, Mass.

The New York Times - Travel

The turnaround for Gazprom has been as swift as it has been devastating to the company's business model.

The New York Times

It has been devastating for my parents, and they have had little or no help in dealing with the fallout," she says.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it has been devastated" to describe situations where the damage is extensive and has far-reaching consequences, such as after a natural disaster or economic collapse. For example: "The coastal community has been devastated by the recent hurricane."

Common error

Avoid using "it has been devastated" to describe minor inconveniences or slight damages. The phrase carries a strong emotional weight and should be reserved for genuinely severe situations. Overusing it can dilute its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has been devastated" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something (the 'it') has undergone a process of being severely damaged or destroyed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it has been devastated" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe situations involving severe damage or destruction. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While it's most commonly found in news and media contexts, it can also appear in formal and business settings. When using this phrase, it's important to reserve it for situations where the damage is truly significant to maintain its impact. Alternatives such as "it has been ruined" or "it has been destroyed" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has been ruined

Focuses on the complete loss of value or function.

it has been ravaged

Emphasizes the violent and destructive nature of the damage.

it has been wrecked

Highlights the severe damage, often implying structural collapse.

it has been destroyed

A general term indicating complete obliteration or ruin.

it has been decimated

Implies a significant reduction in number or size.

it has been shattered

Suggests that something has been broken into many pieces, often emotionally or figuratively.

it has been laid waste

Conveys a sense of complete destruction and abandonment.

it has been left in ruins

Focuses on the state of being reduced to debris or remnants.

it has been left desolate

Highlights the emptiness and bleakness resulting from the devastation.

it has been utterly crushed

Emphasizes the completeness and force of the destruction.

FAQs

How can I use "it has been devastated" in a sentence?

Use "it has been devastated" to describe a situation, place, or entity that has suffered severe damage or destruction, either physically or emotionally. For example, "The local economy "has been devastated" by the factory closure".

What are some alternatives to "it has been devastated"?

You can use alternatives such as "it has been ruined", "it has been ravaged", or "it has been destroyed" depending on the context and the specific type of damage you want to emphasize.

Is it correct to say "it was devastated" instead of "it has been devastated"?

Both "it was devastated" and "it has been devastated" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "It was devastated" refers to a completed action in the past, while "it has been devastated" implies that the effects of the devastation are still ongoing or relevant in the present.

What is the difference between "devastated" and "damaged"?

"Devastated" implies a much greater degree of destruction or harm than "damaged". "Damaged" suggests something is impaired or harmed, whereas "devastated" suggests almost complete ruin or destruction.