this is devastating news

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is devastating news" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing shock or sadness about a piece of information that has a significant negative impact. Example: "After hearing about the sudden passing of our colleague, I can only say that this is devastating news."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Hunt told BBC News: "This is devastating news for patients.

The Guardian

This is devastating news but not untypical from this uncaring government who cannot be relied on to protect the vulnerable.

The Guardian

"This is devastating news," Mr. Manchin said in a statement, "and our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the miners who have died.

The New York Times

Liz Dux, abuse lawyer at Slater and Gordon, who represents six of Janner's alleged victims, says: This is devastating news for my clients.

The Guardian

John Hannett, the Usdaw general secretary, said: "This is devastating news for the employees of BHS and we urge the company to change their attitude to trade unions and begin a dialogue with us at this difficult and worrying time".

The Guardian - Business

Phil Davies of the GMB union said: "This is devastating news for the disabled workers in Remploy and gives the lie to the chancellor's claim in his autumn statement yesterday that the vulnerable would be taken care of by the government".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

This was devastating news as a helpless feeling of disappointment and frustration set in.

The New York Times

Even though this was devastating news to hear, we had a healing moment together, and felt an even fiercer commitment to our work at the Flawless Foundation.

Huffington Post

Housing charity Shelter's chief executive Campbell Robb said: "This ruling is devastating news for disabled adults and families with disabled or vulnerable children, who'll be put at real risk of homelessness for having a bedroom they just can't do without.

BBC

4.42pm BST My colleague Severin Carrell sends me this statement from Scotland's cabinet secretary for culture and external affairs, Fiona Hyslop: While thankfully nobody has been hurt in this fire, the destruction of this iconic building is devastating news and my thoughts are with staff and students who have seen the terrible loss of their workplace and academic work.

The Guardian

It is devastating news, something we could have done without.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this is devastating news", consider the audience and context to ensure the tone is appropriate. In professional settings, a more measured response might be preferred.

Common error

While "this is devastating news" effectively conveys strong negative emotions, avoid using it in trivial situations. Overusing strong language can diminish its impact when genuinely serious events occur.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is devastating news" functions as an expressive statement, conveying a strong negative reaction to a particular piece of information. This usage is consistent with the examples found by Ludwig, where it's used to lament losses, tragedies, and unfortunate events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this is devastating news" is a grammatically sound and readily understood expression employed to convey profound disappointment, shock, or sadness in response to significantly negative information. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to express empathy or concern. While most commonly found in news and media contexts, its usage can extend to other scenarios where conveying the severity of a situation is paramount. To maintain impact, it's best reserved for genuinely serious events and used judiciously.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is incredibly disheartening

Replaces "devastating news" with a phrase emphasizing the feeling of discouragement and loss of hope.

this is profoundly upsetting

Emphasizes the deeply disturbing and emotionally painful nature of the news.

this is extremely unfortunate news

Uses more formal language to express regret and disappointment about the news.

this is terribly sad to hear

Focuses on the sadness and sorrow evoked by the news.

this is crushing news

Conveys the overwhelming and demoralizing effect of the news.

this is absolutely tragic news

Highlights the calamitous and grievous nature of the news.

this is a crushing blow

Uses a metaphor to describe the impact of the news as a forceful and damaging strike.

this is a real tragedy

Simplifies the expression while still conveying a sense of significant loss or suffering.

the news is just heartbreaking

Focuses on the emotional pain and sorrow caused by the news.

it's utterly demoralizing to hear

Highlights the loss of morale and confidence as a result of the news.

FAQs

What does "this is devastating news" mean?

It expresses profound disappointment, sadness, or shock regarding a piece of information that has significant negative implications.

What can I say instead of "this is devastating news"?

You can use alternatives like "this is incredibly disheartening", "this is profoundly upsetting", or "this is extremely unfortunate news" depending on the context.

Is "this is devastating news" an overused phrase?

While effective, overusing strong language like "this is devastating news" can lessen its impact. Consider varying your vocabulary to maintain emphasis when needed.

When is it appropriate to use "this is devastating news"?

It's appropriate when responding to truly significant negative events, such as a death, a major loss, or a catastrophic event. Avoid using it for minor inconveniences.