shattered world

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shattered world" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a world that has been broken, devastated, or significantly altered, often in a metaphorical or dramatic sense. Example: "After the catastrophic event, the survivors found themselves in a shattered world, struggling to rebuild their lives amidst the ruins."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

But he wrote it in a shattered world in 1919.

The New York Times - Arts

Language naturalises the shattered world that Hoban imagines.

The Guardian - Books

667 p. Humanists in a shattered world : Croatian and Hungarian Latinity in the sixteenth century / Marianna D. Birnbaum.

Yale University

Fear, exhaustion and hopelessness entered American society while it restored a shattered world, met the Communist challenge and created domestic prosperity.

The New York Times

Americans Bob Beamon (long jump) and Lee Evans (400-metre run) shattered world records, and Dick Fosbury won the high jump with his revolutionary "Fosbury flop" technique.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In his first two races this season, Gebrselassie shattered world records at 10,000 meters (26:22.75), and 5,000 meters (12 39.36).

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Archaeologists like piecing together shattered worlds.

The Economist

Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov gave Russia its first pairs title in eight years at the World Figure Skating Championships in London, Ontario, on Friday, shattering world records for total score and free skate.

The New York Times - Sports

The Manchester United utility man picked up a thigh injury during the Republic of Ireland's shattering World Cup exit in France last month that Ferguson initially felt was nothing more than a dead leg.

Independent

Washington's intervention will inflame the argument over whether Britain would be safer or more vulnerable outside the EU, after David Cameron said yesterday that Brexit could shatter world peace.

The Times

The 20th century was a century of great technological achievements, of shattering world wars and of modern art and architecture: 'art for the purpose of art'.1 Within this era, Le Corbusier popularized white in his modernist architecture of the 1920s and with Kazimir Malevich's painting "White on white" (1918), white became a defining icon of modernism.

Heritage Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "shattered world" with vivid imagery to create a powerful emotional impact. Describe the specific ways in which the world is broken, such as "a shattered world of broken buildings and fractured trust".

Common error

Avoid using "shattered world" in everyday situations or trivial matters. Its strong connotations are best reserved for contexts that genuinely warrant a sense of devastation and profound disruption.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shattered world" primarily functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "shattered" modifies the noun "world". Ludwig examples confirm its usage in describing a state of destruction or devastation, often metaphorically.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shattered world" effectively conveys a sense of profound destruction and loss. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples from diverse sources indicates it is grammatically correct and commonly used across news, academic, and formal writing. It's crucial to reserve its use for contexts deserving of such a strong emotional impact, and as confirmed by Ludwig it’s better to avoid trivializing its meaning by using it in situations that lack genuine devastation. Alternatives such as "broken world" or "devastated world" may be appropriate substitutes depending on the specific shade of meaning desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broken world

Simple substitution of "shattered" with "broken", suggesting a similar state of destruction or fragmentation.

devastated world

Replaces "shattered" with "devastated", emphasizing the emotional impact and thorough destruction.

ruined world

Uses "ruined" instead of "shattered", focusing on the irreparable damage and decay.

fragmented world

Replaces "shattered" with "fragmented", highlighting the state of being broken into pieces and the loss of wholeness.

world in ruins

A rephrasing of the original phrase to emphasize the state of being in ruins.

post-apocalyptic world

Implies a world existing after a major catastrophic event, suggesting a complete societal breakdown.

world in disarray

Replaces "shattered" with "in disarray", focusing on the lack of order and organization.

a world torn apart

Emphasizes the violence and force behind the world's destruction.

world turned upside down

Indicates a world where everything is drastically changed and disoriented.

dystopian world

Focuses on the negative aspects of a broken society, often under oppressive control.

FAQs

How can I use "shattered world" in a sentence?

You can use "shattered world" to describe the aftermath of a catastrophe or significant personal loss. For example: "The survivors emerged into a "shattered world", struggling to rebuild their lives."

What phrases are similar to "shattered world"?

Alternatives include "broken world", "devastated world", or "ruined world" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "shattered world" too dramatic for everyday writing?

Yes, "shattered world" carries strong emotional weight. It's best reserved for contexts involving significant loss, destruction, or profound societal change. Using it in less serious situations can sound exaggerated.

Can "shattered world" be used metaphorically?

Yes, it is often used metaphorically to describe a personal crisis or a significant change in one's life that feels devastating. For instance, "Her diagnosis left her in a "shattered world", unsure of what the future held."