it would be disastrous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it would be disastrous" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a negative outcome or consequence of a particular action or situation. Example: "If we ignore the warning signs, it would be disastrous for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The chairman of the committee said if Britain left the EU, it would be disastrous for its economy.

BBC

It would be disastrous if the service was now soft-pedalling its criticism of the Kremlin.

The Economist

It would be disastrous".

The New York Times

It would be disastrous if they did".

The Guardian - Film

"It would be disastrous," the adviser said.

The New Yorker

It would be disastrous," he said.

The Guardian

It would be disastrous if we tried.

The Guardian

In government, it would be disastrous".

The Guardian - Opinion

Senator Strom Thurmond says it would be disastrous for conservatives.

The New York Times

And it would be disastrous if it did change.

The New Yorker

For the people of Haiti, it would be disastrous.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it would be disastrous" to clearly and directly convey the potential for extremely negative consequences, especially when warning against a specific course of action.

Common error

Avoid using "it would be disastrous" in situations where the potential negative outcome is minor or easily recoverable. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it would be disastrous" functions as a judgmental statement, expressing a strong negative evaluation of a hypothetical situation or action. Ludwig AI shows its frequent use across diverse contexts to highlight potential severe consequences, as seen in the numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it would be disastrous" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express the potential for significant negative consequences. Ludwig AI analysis reveals that it is most frequently used in News & Media to warn against certain actions. The phrase is versatile enough for both formal and informal settings, though it should be used judiciously to maintain its impact. Consider alternatives such as "it would be catastrophic" or "it would have dire consequences" to vary your expression. Remember, avoid overuse to preserve the phrase's effectiveness when emphasizing genuinely serious risks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it would be catastrophic

Replaces 'disastrous' with 'catastrophic' for a stronger emphasis on the severity of the outcome.

it would be devastating

Substitutes 'disastrous' with 'devastating' emphasizing the destructive impact.

it would spell disaster

Uses the idiom 'spell disaster' to highlight that something will inevitably lead to failure or ruin.

it would have dire consequences

Replaces the directness of 'disastrous' with a focus on the severe and potentially long-lasting effects.

it would be a calamity

Employs 'calamity' to denote a significant event causing great damage or distress.

it would be a tragedy

Uses 'tragedy' to express a deeply sorrowful or unfortunate outcome.

it would be highly detrimental

Replaces 'disastrous' with a more formal and mild term emphasizing the damaging aspects.

it would prove ruinous

Emphasizes the destructive impact using 'ruinous', suggesting total or near-total destruction.

it would create havoc

Highlights the chaos and disorder that the situation would generate.

it would backfire spectacularly

Indicates that an action will fail dramatically, with negative repercussions.

FAQs

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

You can use "it would be disastrous" to emphasize the negative consequences of a particular action or event. For example: "If we don't address climate change, "it would be disastrous" for future generations."

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

You can use alternatives like "it would be catastrophic", "it would be devastating", or "it would have dire consequences" to express similar levels of severity.

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

Use "it would be disastrous" when you want to highlight a situation with potentially devastating outcomes, emphasizing the need to avoid a certain action or decision. It is effective in scenarios involving high stakes or significant risks.

Is "it would be disastrous" formal or informal?

"It would be disastrous" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's more frequently found in news and media /s/contexts than academic papers. Its impact and clarity make it versatile for various communication styles.