spell disaster for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spell disaster for" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that promises trouble or a bad outcome. For example, "The recent changes to the contract could spell disaster for the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This strategy could however spell disaster for Democrats.

University of California, Berkeley

Cold Temperatures Spell Disaster for HWA…Or Do They?

Cornell University

But the charges won't necessarily spell disaster for SAC.

The New York Times

His philosophy could only spell disaster for himself.

The Guardian - Film

If done wrong it can spell disaster for brands.

The Guardian

Does Facebook's plummeting stock spell disaster for the social network?

The Guardian - Tech

The market's shrug could spell disaster for DoCoMo.

The New York Times

Does all this spell disaster for the industry?

The New York Times - Food

"That would spell disaster for us and our planet".

The Guardian

And that can spell disaster for their physical and emotional health.

University of California, Berkeley

This, the scientists predict, could spell disaster for many animals and ecosystems.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spell disaster for" when emphasizing the potential for significant negative consequences, especially in situations involving risk, uncertainty, or high stakes. This phrase is effective in conveying a sense of impending doom or failure.

Common error

Avoid using "spell disaster for" in everyday conversations or trivial situations. Its strong connotation of impending calamity is best reserved for scenarios where the potential negative outcomes are truly significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spell disaster for" functions as a verb phrase that acts as a predictor of negative outcomes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly indicates an event or situation is highly likely to cause significant adversity or ruin. It is frequently observed to modify nouns or noun phrases, suggesting negative consequences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

19%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spell disaster for" is a potent phrase used to highlight the strong possibility of negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. Predominantly found in "News & Media" and "Academia", it functions to warn or alert to potential calamities. While versatile, reserving it for scenarios with significant, not trivial, negative outcomes is best. Alternative phrases like "lead to catastrophe for" or "result in calamity for" can provide nuanced variations. Thus, understanding the function, purpose, and register of "spell disaster for" allows writers to effectively convey the gravity of a situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lead to catastrophe for

Replaces "spell disaster" with a more direct and intense expression of impending catastrophe.

result in calamity for

Substitutes "spell disaster" with "result in calamity", emphasizing the severe and unfortunate nature of the outcome.

cause ruin for

Focuses on the destructive aspect, replacing "disaster" with "ruin" for a stronger impact.

be a recipe for failure for

Changes the metaphor to a "recipe for failure", highlighting the guaranteed negative outcome.

portend misfortune for

Uses a more formal and predictive tone, suggesting the outcome is predetermined.

foreshadow a debacle for

Employs "foreshadow" to indicate a coming failure or collapse, similar to a "debacle".

augur poorly for

Offers a more concise and formal alternative, suggesting an unfavorable outlook.

threaten destruction for

Highlights the impending danger and destruction that the situation poses.

signal the downfall of

Implies a gradual decline and eventual collapse, rather than an immediate disaster.

create problems for

Represents a milder and more general term, talking about generic problems instead of a disaster.

FAQs

How can I use "spell disaster for" in a sentence?

You can use "spell disaster for" to describe a situation that is likely to have extremely negative consequences. For example, "A failure to address climate change will "spell disaster for" future generations."

What are some alternatives to "spell disaster for"?

You can use alternatives like "lead to catastrophe for", "result in calamity for", or "cause ruin for" depending on the context and the level of formality required.

Is it appropriate to use "spell disaster for" in formal writing?

Yes, "spell disaster for" is suitable for formal writing, especially when discussing serious topics such as environmental issues, economic downturns, or political instability. However, consider the tone and audience to ensure it aligns with the overall message.

What is the difference between "spell disaster for" and "create problems for"?

"Spell disaster for" implies a much more severe and far-reaching negative impact than "create problems for". The former suggests a catastrophic outcome, while the latter simply indicates difficulties or challenges.