it was devastated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was devastated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or place that has been severely damaged or emotionally affected. Example: "After the hurricane passed through, it was devastated, leaving behind a trail of destruction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

PAGE 1 WEEK IN REVIEW Myanmar opted to restrict access to its delta region after it was devastated by a cyclone.

The New York Times

PAGE 2 Microsoft's Internet Gambit 4 Scars of Losing a Home 5 Week in Review WHEN NATIONAL OPENNESS Becomes a Slippery Slope Myanmar opted to restrict access to its delta region after it was devastated by a cyclone.

The New York Times

It was devastated by the tsunami and many of its students were affected.

Unicef

It was devastated on Sept. 11, and is stalled now.

The New York Times

Stone's family issued a statement saying it was devastated and concerned for the welfare of Cooper.

The New York Times - Sports

The orchestra tweeted last night that it was "devastated" by the news of Maazel's death.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

It was devastating".

The New York Times - Sports

SH: It was devastating.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"It was devastating to see.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was devastating for me.

The New York Times

"For us, it was devastating.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was devastated" to convey a sense of significant destruction or emotional impact. It is particularly effective when describing the aftermath of natural disasters, conflicts, or personal tragedies.

Common error

Avoid using "it was devastated" for minor inconveniences or setbacks. The phrase implies a significant level of damage, so reserve it for situations where the impact is genuinely severe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was devastated" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something (the subject) underwent a destructive or ruinous experience. Ludwig examples confirm its use across various contexts to describe significant damage or emotional impact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

17%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was devastated" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to describe situations or places that have suffered severe damage or emotional distress. Ludwig's analysis, drawing from numerous examples across diverse sources, highlights its prevalence in News & Media and Encyclopedias, indicating its suitability for both formal and neutral contexts. While effective for conveying significant impact, it should be reserved for genuinely severe situations to avoid diluting its intensity. Related phrases like "it was destroyed" or "it was ruined" offer nuanced alternatives to express similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was destroyed

Replaces 'devastated' with a more general term for ruin, indicating a complete loss or destruction.

it was ruined

Similar to 'destroyed' but can also imply a loss of value or quality, not just physical destruction.

it was ravaged

Suggests violent or destructive action that caused widespread damage.

it was wrecked

Implies severe damage, often to a structure or object, making it unusable.

it was obliterated

Indicates complete destruction, leaving no trace of what was there before.

it was shattered

Suggests something was broken into many pieces, often used metaphorically for hopes or dreams.

it was decimated

Originally referred to reducing by one-tenth, now used to mean severely reduced or destroyed.

it was crushed

Implies something was pressed or squeezed with such force that it's completely broken or deformed.

it was desolated

Indicates a state of emptiness and ruin, often with emotional connotations of loneliness or sadness.

it was laid waste

Suggests widespread destruction, leaving an area barren and empty.

FAQs

How can I use "it was devastated" in a sentence?

Use "it was devastated" to describe something severely damaged or emotionally affected. For example: "After the hurricane, "it was devastated", with homes and businesses reduced to rubble."

What's the difference between "it was devastated" and "it was damaged"?

"It was damaged" implies some harm occurred, while ""it was devastated"" suggests much more extensive and severe destruction or emotional impact. Devastated indicates a near-total ruin.

Which is more appropriate, "it was devastated" or "it was destroyed"?

Both ""it was devastated"" and "it was destroyed" indicate significant damage, but "it was devastated" often carries a stronger emotional connotation and implies a more widespread impact.

Are there synonyms for "it was devastated" that I can use?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "it was ruined", "it was ravaged", or "it was obliterated" depending on the context and the level of destruction you want to convey.