very devastating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very devastating" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has had a very damaging or destructive effect. For example: "The hurricane was very devastating, leaving hundreds of homes destroyed in its wake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact 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

"The whole first year here was very devastating.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Mr Walton added: "The choice of returning home from Syria is often taken away from those under the control of Islamic State, leaving their families in the UK devastated and with very few options to secure their safe return.

Independent

"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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "very devastating", consider the specific context. If you want to emphasize a particular aspect, such as emotional impact or long-term consequences, choose a more precise adjective or phrase instead.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "very" as an intensifier. While "very devastating" is acceptable, stronger synonyms like "catastrophic" or "ruinous" can provide more impact and sophistication to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very devastating" functions as a compound adjective, modifying a noun to describe something that causes extreme damage or distress. This is consistent with Ludwig's analysis confirming its correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very devastating" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase that effectively communicates a high degree of destruction or distress. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage spans across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While its appropriateness is without question, writers should remain mindful of potential alternatives that add greater precision or impact to their writing style. Its function serves to emphasize the impact in neutral writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly destructive

Similar to extremely destructive but slightly less intense.

extremely destructive

Emphasizes the destructive nature of the event or situation.

catastrophically damaging

Emphasizes the scale of the disaster and its damaging effects.

profoundly damaging

Focuses on the depth and extent of the harm inflicted.

tragically destructive

Highlights the sad and unfortunate aspect of the destruction.

utterly ruinous

Highlights the complete and irreversible damage caused.

terribly damaging

Expresses the severe and unpleasant nature of the damage.

exceptionally calamitous

Stresses the disastrous and unfortunate nature of the event.

exceedingly harmful

Highlights the excessive level of harm caused.

incredibly harmful

Focuses on the harm caused, rather than the physical destruction.

FAQs

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

You can use "very devastating" to describe events, situations, or news that cause significant destruction or distress. For example: "The earthquake had a "very devastating" impact on the coastal communities."

What are some alternatives to "very devastating"?

Alternatives include "extremely destructive", "catastrophic", "utterly ruinous", or "profoundly damaging", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it redundant to say "very devastating"?

While "devastating" already implies a high degree of destruction, using "very" can further emphasize the severity. However, consider whether a more specific adjective might be more effective.

What's the difference between "very devastating" and "devastating"?

The addition of "very" intensifies the degree of devastation. While "devastating" indicates significant destruction or distress, ""very devastating"" suggests an even greater level of impact.