very devastated

USAGE SUMMARY

"very devastated" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective meaning deeply affected with grief or disappointment. For example, "The family was very devastated when they learned of their grandmother's death."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"I'm very devastated".

The New York Times

"We made it very difficult for them but I'm very, very devastated".

The New York Times - Sports

"My family is very devastated in Mexico and we still don't know what do".

The Guardian

"We still don't have all the details, and we are very devastated here," said the employee, refusing to give his name.

The New York Times

It's an area that would be very devastated if a fire were to start there". The San Bernardino county sheriff's department was investigating the shooting, said the LA Times.

The Guardian

Mr Fernandes, AirAsia's chief executive, flew to Surabaya and later told a press briefing: "We are very devastated by what's happened, it's unbelievable.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"The impacts are very, very devastating sometimes," he said.

The Guardian

It was more than you could get your head around really - very, very devastating.

The Guardian - Music

Ghamdan Shahbain, 31, a father of two who runs his own businesses, said of the airstrike on the school bus: "It hurts, it is a tragedy, it's a crime, it's very devastating.

The Guardian

It can be very devastating.

Vice

These raids were also very devastating.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very devastated" to describe a strong emotional reaction to a significant loss or disappointment. This phrase is suitable when emphasizing the depth of the feeling.

Common error

Avoid using "very devastated" in contexts where a milder expression of sadness or disappointment would be more appropriate. Overusing intensifiers can weaken the impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very devastated" functions as an adjective phrase, intensifying the adjective "devastated" to describe a heightened state of emotional distress. As Ludwig AI explains, it accurately conveys deep grief or disappointment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "very devastated" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to express a strong feeling of sadness or disappointment. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage for conveying deep grief. While the phrase is primarily found in news and media contexts, it is also present in academic and wiki sources. Although the term is valid, consider synonyms for greater impact or nuance in expression. Be mindful not to overuse the term. Alternatives include phrases such as "deeply saddened" or "utterly heartbroken" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deeply saddened

This phrase suggests a profound feeling of sorrow, replacing "devastated" with a more gentle term.

utterly heartbroken

This alternative emphasizes the emotional pain experienced, increasing the intensity.

completely crushed

This phrase uses a more figurative expression to convey a sense of being emotionally broken.

absolutely shattered

This alternative conveys a sense of being broken into pieces, highlighting emotional fragility.

totally dismayed

This phrase suggests a feeling of shock and disappointment, rather than deep sorrow.

extremely upset

This alternative uses a milder term to express emotional distress.

severely affected

This phrase focuses on the impact of an event, rather than the emotional response.

left in ruins

This alternative emphasizes the state of destruction or devastation left behind by an event.

irreparably damaged

This phrase emphasizes the long-lasting, negative impact of an event, implying a sense of hopelessness.

gravely impacted

This alternative focuses on the significant, often negative, effect of something.

FAQs

How can I use "very devastated" in a sentence?

You can use "very devastated" to describe someone's emotional state after a significant loss or disappointment. For example, "The team was "very devastated" by their unexpected defeat".

What are some synonyms for "very devastated"?

Some alternatives to "very devastated" include "deeply saddened", "utterly heartbroken", or "completely crushed" depending on the context and intensity you want to convey.

Is it better to say "devastated" or "very devastated"?

Both are correct, but "very devastated" emphasizes the intensity of the feeling. The choice depends on the specific context and the desired impact.

Can "very devastated" be used to describe a physical place?

While "devastated" can describe a physically destroyed place, "very devastated" is more commonly used to describe a person's emotional state. To describe a place, consider alternatives like "utterly destroyed" or "completely ruined".