when disaster strikes

USAGE SUMMARY

"when disaster strikes" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific time when a misfortune or calamity occurs. For example: "We must be prepared for when disaster strikes and have an emergency plan in place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When disaster strikes, we act.

The Guardian - Opinion

When disaster strikes, many corporations respond generously.

Harvard Business Review

Finally – what to do when disaster strikes?

The Guardian - Music

But when disaster strikes, gratitude is worth the effort.

University of California, Berkeley

Regulators don't stop enforcing rules when disaster strikes.

Harvard University

When disaster strikes, it is hard to refuse to help.

The Economist

But when disaster strikes the cash can quickly leak away.

The Economist

Yet when disaster strikes, doomsayers do not get to crow.

The Economist

When disaster strikes, who do we turn to?

The Guardian - Books

So how are you going to respond when disaster strikes?

The Guardian - Money

When disaster strikes, Brent Woodworth is usually not far behind.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when disaster strikes" to signal the immediate need for action or a change in protocol. It sets a tone of urgency and importance.

Common error

Avoid using "when disaster strikes" too frequently in storytelling, as it can become repetitive and lose its impact. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when disaster strikes" functions as an adverbial clause of time, indicating the moment when a calamitous event occurs. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples showing its usage across diverse contexts, confirming its role in setting a temporal context for subsequent actions or events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

21%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when disaster strikes" is a widely used adverbial clause that indicates the timing of a calamitous event, often setting the stage for urgent action or response. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance in news, academic, and formal business contexts. While versatile, it's advisable to avoid overuse in narrative writing and consider alternatives such as "in times of crisis" or "in the event of disaster" for varied expression. This phrase serves to emphasize the need for preparedness and a swift response.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the event of disaster

Similar in meaning but focuses on planning and preparation for a disaster.

when calamity hits

Uses a stronger term, "calamity", to emphasize the severity of the event.

if a crisis arises

Presents a condition where a crisis starts, offering a conditional perspective.

in times of crisis

Focuses on the period of difficulty rather than the specific moment of impact.

when a crisis unfolds

Highlights the developing nature and the revelation of a crisis.

should a catastrophe occur

More formal and hypothetical, suggesting a possible but uncertain event.

at the onset of tragedy

Emphasizes the beginning of a tragic event.

as misfortune befalls

More poetic and emphasizes the act of misfortune happening to someone or something.

upon the arrival of misfortune

A more literary and formal way of expressing when something bad happens.

on the day of the incident

More specific, referring to a particular event and its direct aftermath.

FAQs

How can I use "when disaster strikes" in a sentence?

Use "when disaster strikes" to introduce a scenario where immediate action is required. For example, "When disaster strikes, emergency protocols must be immediately activated."

What are some alternatives to saying "when disaster strikes"?

You can use alternatives like "in times of crisis", "if a crisis arises", or "in the event of disaster" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "where disaster strikes" instead of "when disaster strikes"?

While "when disaster strikes" refers to the timing of an event, "where disaster strikes" refers to the location. The choice depends on whether you are emphasizing the timing or the place.

What's the difference between "when disaster strikes" and "when a crisis unfolds"?

"When disaster strikes" indicates an immediate event, whereas "when a crisis unfolds" suggests a process or a developing situation.