quite devastating

USAGE SUMMARY

"quite devastating" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe something that is especially severe or shocking. For example, "The news of the sudden death of his best friend was quite devastating."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

In fact, they can be quite devastating.

The Washington Post

For a youngster it's quite devastating.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Although such examples may seem comical, they are sometimes quite devastating.

The New Yorker

"What we brought out is that if you delay action or don't do enough the impact is quite devastating.

The New York Times

Everybody grasps on to Cuba, but as soon as the conversation comes round to America and you see how this material reflects on the US, it's quite devastating.

The Guardian - Film

Her mum is given to pronouncing earnestly: "'I just don't think it's realistic.' She's very encouraging, but can be quite devastating.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

A spokesman for the magazine publisher Conde Nast described the news as "so sad" and said the company was "quite devastated" by McQueen's death.

Independent

"I'm quite devastated by this whole process, which has robbed me of hours of my life and time with family," wrote Michelle Wu, who works as an account manager in Los Angeles.

Huffington Post

I feel quite devastated by the cancer when it comes to my sex life.

BMC Cancer

The inability of written information to address the magnitude of distress experienced as a result of sexual changes was also commented upon: I feel quite devastated by the cancer when it comes to my sex life.

BMC Cancer

After nine years, Ronaldo's departure was always likely to be the most damaging of all even if few imagined it would be quite so devastating.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "quite devastating", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being devastated, either emotionally, physically, or economically, to maximize impact and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "quite devastating" for minor inconveniences. Reserve it for situations that genuinely involve significant damage, loss, or emotional trauma to maintain credibility and avoid trivializing serious matters.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite devastating" functions as a modifier, specifically intensifying the adjective "devastating". As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. It serves to amplify the severity or impact of a situation or event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "quite devastating" is a powerful descriptor used to emphasize the severity of a situation, event, or experience. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in contexts like News & Media and scientific reporting. While alternatives such as "utterly ruinous" or "absolutely crushing" exist, the phrase retains its utility in conveying a significant negative impact. When using "quite devastating", be mindful of the context to ensure its appropriateness and avoid overstating minor issues. Overall, it's a reliable and effective phrase for communicating substantial damage or distress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly ruinous

Emphasizes complete destruction or irreparable harm.

absolutely crushing

Highlights the overwhelming and demoralizing effect of something.

completely calamitous

Stresses the disastrous and unfortunate nature of an event.

thoroughly destructive

Focuses on the extent and completeness of the damage.

profoundly damaging

Indicates deep and lasting harm or negative effects.

exceptionally disruptive

Highlights the level of disturbance and interruption caused.

remarkably shattering

Emphasizes the emotionally shocking and distressing impact.

genuinely catastrophic

Underscores the disastrous and far-reaching consequences.

seriously impairing

Focuses on the significant reduction or weakening of something's function or quality.

decidedly injurious

Highlights the harm or injury caused by something.

FAQs

How can I use "quite devastating" in a sentence?

You can use "quite devastating" to describe events or situations that cause significant damage, loss, or emotional distress. For example, "The impact of the hurricane on the coastal communities was "quite devastating"."

What are some alternatives to "quite devastating"?

Alternatives include "utterly ruinous", "absolutely crushing", or "completely calamitous", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "very devastating" instead of "quite devastating"?

While "very devastating" is understandable, "quite devastating" often implies a degree of surprise or unexpected severity. "Very devastating" simply emphasizes the extent of devastation. It depends on the context whether you would like to use "very" or "quite".

What's the difference between "devastating" and "quite devastating"?

Adding "quite" intensifies the impact of "devastating", suggesting a more pronounced or unexpectedly severe effect. It serves to heighten the emotional or factual weight of the statement.