would be calamitous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would be calamitous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or outcome that would result in great disaster or misfortune. Example: "If we ignore the warning signs, the consequences would be calamitous for the entire community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Ringing in their ears are dire warnings from the guardians of the nation's financial well-being - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said only last week that a default would be "calamitous".

Huffington Post

Such an approach would be calamitous if you care about maintaining the union.

The Guardian - Opinion

And anything that undermines the campaigns to promote safer sex would be calamitous.

The Economist

"It would be calamitous on so many different levels," Mr. Staley said.

The New York Times

It is a huge part of their marketing strategy and losing it overnight would be calamitous.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's true that the consequences for the world would be calamitous if the euro zone cracked up.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

If Barcelona is unable to come back from its two-goal Champions League deficit against A.C. Milan, it would be disastrous, calamitous, catastrophic and all the other doom-and-gloom adjectives that come with being perhaps the world's most celebrated team.

The New York Times - Sports

This would be disastrous under any circumstances, but it is especially calamitous now.

The New Yorker

Winning would give Mr Clegg new momentum; losing would indeed be calamitous.

The Economist

Such an attack would truly be "calamitous" -- to use the same description as the Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen.

Huffington Post

It would be especially calamitous if that became the legacy of his five years in charge.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would be calamitous" to emphasize the severe and far-reaching negative consequences of a particular situation or decision. It's best suited for scenarios where the impact is not just negative, but devastating.

Common error

Avoid using "would be calamitous" for minor inconveniences or slight setbacks. Reserve it for situations where the potential consequences are truly disastrous and widespread.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would be calamitous" functions as a modal phrase, expressing a judgment about the potential consequences of a situation. It combines the modal verb 'would be' with the adjective 'calamitous' to describe something as disastrous or catastrophic. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, offering numerous examples in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "would be calamitous" is a powerful way to describe potentially devastating outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and finds it frequently used in news and media to emphasize significant risks. While alternatives like ""would be disastrous"" or ""would be catastrophic"" exist, "would be calamitous" adds a specific weight that's appropriate for scenarios with far-reaching, destructive consequences. Remember to reserve this phrase for situations that genuinely warrant such strong emphasis to avoid diluting its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would be disastrous

Replaces "calamitous" with a more common synonym, indicating severe misfortune or failure.

would be catastrophic

Emphasizes the ultimate and devastating nature of the outcome.

would be devastating

Highlights the destructive and damaging impact of the situation.

would be ruinous

Focuses on the potential for complete destruction or irreversible damage.

would be a tragedy

Frames the outcome as a deeply unfortunate and sorrowful event.

would be highly detrimental

Uses more formal language to convey a significantly harmful effect.

would have dire consequences

Shifts the focus to the severe and far-reaching effects of the situation.

would spell disaster

Uses a more figurative expression to indicate an inevitable and severe failure.

would lead to catastrophe

Specifically points to the event causing widespread damage or suffering.

would be a major setback

Underscores the negative impact on progress or goals.

FAQs

How can I use "would be calamitous" in a sentence?

Use "would be calamitous" to describe a situation or outcome that would have severely negative and widespread consequences. For example, "Ignoring climate change "would be calamitous" for future generations".

What are some alternatives to "would be calamitous"?

Alternatives include "would be disastrous", "would be catastrophic", or "would be devastating", each carrying a similar but nuanced meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "would be calamitous"?

It's appropriate to use "would be calamitous" when you want to emphasize the potentially catastrophic nature of a situation, highlighting that the consequences would be extremely damaging and far-reaching.

What's the difference between "would be calamitous" and "would be disastrous"?

"Would be disastrous" describes a very negative outcome, while ""would be calamitous"" suggests a more widespread and catastrophic level of devastation. "Would be calamitous" implies a greater scale of misfortune.