it was very devastating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was very devastating" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an event or situation that caused significant emotional or physical harm. Example: "The news of the natural disaster was very devastating for the entire community, leaving many in shock and grief."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"It was very devastating," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

Luckily, there were no fatalities of my close friends and family members, so that's always good, but at the same time, it was very devastating for my area.

The New York Times

"It was very devastating, and one that we may not ever get over because beef prices are terribly low right now," he said.

The New York Times - Science

It was very devastating, as it was for people all over New Orleans.

Huffington Post

When we lost him it was very devastating, but he instilled in me a real fighting spirit and a sense of persistence and determination, which has led me to where I am today.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"The whole first year here was very devastating.

Vice

It can be very devastating.

Vice

"I'm very devastated".

The New York Times

"My family is very devastated in Mexico and we still don't know what do".

The Guardian

"We still don't have all the details, and we are very devastated here," said the employee, refusing to give his name.

The New York Times

It's really devastating".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was very devastating" to clearly communicate the significant negative impact of an event or situation. Ensure the context supports the weight of this phrase.

Common error

Avoid overuse; constant use of "very devastating" can dilute its impact. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "profoundly affecting" or "deeply distressing" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was very devastating" functions as a descriptive statement, expressing a strong negative impact or emotional distress. Ludwig AI provides examples where this phrase is used to describe personal losses, natural disasters, and societal issues.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was very devastating" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a significant negative impact, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While effective, overuse should be avoided, and synonyms employed to maintain reader engagement. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, maintaining a neutral register while conveying a strong sense of sorrow or dismay. When choosing to use this phrase, consider the context and the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was exceptionally tragic

Replaces "devastating" with "tragic", emphasizing the sorrowful and mournful aspects.

it was extremely upsetting

Replaces "devastating" with "upsetting", indicating emotional distress but potentially less severe.

it was deeply distressing

Uses "distressing" to highlight the troubling and worrying nature of the situation.

it was incredibly disheartening

Uses "disheartening" to suggest a loss of morale or enthusiasm as a result of the event.

it was utterly crushing

Indicates a sense of being overwhelmed or defeated by the event.

it was profoundly affecting

Emphasizes the deep emotional impact of the event, focusing on its ability to stir emotions.

it was acutely painful

Focuses on the intense emotional suffering caused by the event.

it was severely damaging

Highlights the harm or impairment caused, whether emotional or physical.

it was completely overwhelming

Highlights the feeling of being overpowered by the scale or intensity of the event.

it was remarkably ruinous

Emphasizes the destructive and catastrophic consequences of the event.

FAQs

How can I use "it was very devastating" in a sentence?

Use "it was very devastating" to describe situations or events that cause significant emotional or physical damage. For example, "The impact of the hurricane on the coastal towns was very devastating, leaving many homeless".

What are some alternatives to saying "it was very devastating"?

Alternatives include "it was extremely upsetting", "it was incredibly disheartening", or "it was exceptionally tragic", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it was very devastating" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "it was very devastating" might be considered less formal. In formal writing, consider stronger, more precise vocabulary like "it was profoundly affecting" or "it was severely damaging".

What makes "it was very devastating" different from "it was devastating"?

Adding "very" intensifies the degree of devastation. "It was devastating" implies significant damage or emotional impact, while "it was very devastating" suggests an even greater level of destruction or emotional distress.