it would be devastating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it would be devastating" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the potential for significant emotional or physical harm resulting from a particular situation or event. Example: "If we were to lose the funding for this project, it would be devastating for our team and the community we serve."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Health

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It would be devastating for our business".

The New York Times

If you lost them, it would be devastating.

The New York Times

The Republicans clearly thought it would be devastating.

The New York Times

"It would be devastating for her husband," she continued.

The New York Times

"If I lost my job it would be devastating.

The Guardian

"It's unfair and it would be devastating midyear," he said.

The New York Times

"It would be devastating not to make it into the Olympics," Rampone said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It would be devastating if we can't get this drug," he said.

The New York Times - Health

A local skater, Leith Scot, says it would be "devastating" to lose the track.

The Guardian

"I don't expect that to happen, but if it does, it would be devastating to Turkey".

The Guardian

It would be devastating for the good relationship between the United States and our region".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it would be devastating" to clearly communicate the potentially severe negative consequences of a decision or event. Ensure the context provides a clear understanding of what "it" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "it would be devastating" for minor inconveniences. Reserve it for situations with genuinely significant and negative outcomes to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it would be devastating" functions as a conditional statement expressing the potential for a significantly negative outcome. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. This makes it an effective tool for emphasizing the importance of preventing a particular scenario.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Business

12%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Health

7%

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it would be devastating" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote potentially severe negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media, but also common in business and sports contexts, it serves to emphasize the significant adverse effects that might arise from a particular situation. While potent, it should be reserved for truly serious scenarios to avoid diluting its impact. Alternatives such as "it would be catastrophic" or "it would be ruinous" can be considered for varying degrees of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it would be catastrophic

Replaces "devastating" with a stronger term implying utter ruin or disaster.

it would be ruinous

Substitutes "devastating" with a word that emphasizes the destructive effect.

it would be calamitous

Emphasizes a disastrous event bringing significant loss and suffering.

it would be extremely damaging

Uses a more descriptive phrase focusing on the extent of the harm.

it would be exceptionally harmful

Highlights the negative impact with an emphasis on the degree of harm.

it would be profoundly detrimental

Emphasizes the deep and lasting negative effects.

it would spell disaster

Uses a more figurative expression implying a very negative outcome.

it would have grave consequences

Focuses on the serious and far-reaching results.

it would be a major setback

Downplays the severity slightly, focusing on hindering progress.

it would prove fatal

Implies a deadly or critical outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "it would be devastating" in a sentence?

Use "it would be devastating" to describe the severe negative impact of a potential event. For example, "If the funding is cut, "it would be devastating" to our research program".

What are some alternatives to "it would be devastating"?

Alternatives include "it would be catastrophic", "it would be ruinous", or "it would be extremely damaging", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "it would be devastating"?

It is appropriate when discussing events or decisions that could lead to significant negative consequences, such as financial ruin, loss of life, or severe damage to reputation or projects.

Is "it would be devastating" too strong for some situations?

Yes, using "it would be devastating" for minor issues can be an overstatement. Consider less dramatic phrases like "it would be disappointing" or "it would be inconvenient" for less serious situations.