vast tragedy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vast tragedy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or extensive event that causes great suffering or loss. Example: "The earthquake resulted in a vast tragedy, leaving thousands homeless and in need of assistance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It's a vast tragedy — and it's also an outrage.

The New York Times

Ducking insurance claims related to such a vast tragedy could really backfire on America's favourite investor.

The Economist

"The beauty of this opera is that it brings the vast tragedy of this period down to an individual level".

The New York Times

And if you feel from reading his books that he is working at a vast tragedy, he would not agree.

The Guardian - Books

The Fellowes mini-series has been a disappointment from the word go and, anecdotally at least, the general feeling seems to be a mixture of ennui and mild unease that such a vast tragedy is being milked by broadcasters for entertainment purposes.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

During the Weird Period, 9/11 wasn't merely a vast tragedy in the rear view mirror.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Specifically it considers the culture of denial and insularity that pervades American life and asks if such a society can accommodate a notion as vast as tragedy.

The New York Times

One hopes, given the number of people who have fled that country in recent years, that a storyteller will emerge who can help make some sense of the vast, incomprehensible tragedy that is continuing there to this day.

The New York Times - Books

I may make jokes along the way – I kind of need to in order to stay sane – but the stuff I write about is extremely serious; there's a vast human tragedy taking place, and anyone who has the ear of the public has a duty to make a good-faith effort to get it as right as he can.

The New York Times

What makes this 'fitting'?" This pretentious, formalistic argument underscores Mr. Amis's efforts to deal with a vast historic tragedy with preening, self-consciously literary musings — the same sort of musings that made parts of his 2002 book on Stalin, "Koba the Dread," so enraging to read.

The New York Times - Books

A vast human tragedy, it is one of the least reported, least recognized, least understood issues before us.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "vast tragedy", ensure the context clearly establishes the large scale and severe impact of the event being described. It is most effective when the scope of suffering or loss is demonstrably significant.

Common error

Avoid using "vast tragedy" to describe situations that are merely unfortunate or sad. Reserve this phrase for events with genuinely widespread and devastating consequences to maintain its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vast tragedy" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "vast" modifies the noun "tragedy". Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe significant events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

11%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vast tragedy" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, employed to describe events marked by widespread suffering and significant scale. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to emphasize the magnitude of loss. When employing this phrase, ensure the context warrants its gravity, avoiding overuse for minor misfortunes. Consider alternatives like "immense misfortune" or "colossal disaster" for nuanced expression. The phrase maintains a neutral to formal register, appropriate for serious discussions and reports.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant catastrophe

Uses synonyms for both "vast" and "tragedy" to convey a similar meaning.

colossal disaster

Substitutes "tragedy" with "disaster", emphasizing the calamitous nature of the event.

major devastation

Highlights the destructive impact of the event, using related vocabulary.

tremendous calamity

Replaces both words with synonyms that convey a sense of great misfortune.

immense misfortune

Replaces "tragedy" with a broader term for bad luck, while keeping a sense of scale.

overwhelming loss

Emphasizes the sense of bereavement and deprivation resulting from the event.

extensive suffering

Focuses on the widespread pain and hardship caused by the event.

grave misfortune

Conveys a sense of serious ill-fate, while using less intense wording.

profound sorrow

Shifts the focus from the event to the emotional impact, using strong synonyms.

serious adversity

Replaces tragedy with a more general term for hardship and difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "vast tragedy" in a sentence?

You can use "vast tragedy" to describe events like natural disasters, wars, or widespread epidemics. For example: "The earthquake resulted in a "vast tragedy", leaving thousands homeless."

What are some alternatives to "vast tragedy"?

Some alternatives to "vast tragedy" include "immense misfortune", "colossal disaster", or "tremendous calamity". The best choice depends on the specific context and the aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it appropriate to use "vast tragedy" in informal contexts?

While grammatically correct, "vast tragedy" is a somewhat formal phrase. It is generally more suitable for news reports, academic papers, or serious discussions. In informal contexts, simpler phrases like "terrible disaster" may be more appropriate.

What distinguishes "vast tragedy" from "great tragedy"?

"Vast tragedy" emphasizes the scale and scope of the event, suggesting a widespread impact. "Great tragedy" can refer to the intensity of suffering, even if the event is more localized. The difference lies in whether you're highlighting the extent or the depth of the tragedy.