would be disastrous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would be disastrous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a hypothetical situation where the outcome would be extremely negative or harmful. Example: "If we ignore the warning signs, the consequences would be disastrous for the entire community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That would be disastrous.

The Economist

This would be disastrous.

The New Yorker

It would be disastrous".

The New York Times

Either outcome would be disastrous.

The Economist

A rejection would be disastrous.

The Economist

A failure would be disastrous.

The New York Times

War, of course, would be disastrous.

The New York Times

Anything contrary to that would be disastrous".

The New York Times

That would be disastrous for the island.

The Economist

This policy would be disastrous.

The Washington Post

Another shutdown would be disastrous.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "would be disastrous", ensure that the context clearly establishes what specific negative consequences would result. Providing details about the potential harm increases the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "would be disastrous" as a generic exclamation of negativity. Always specify what aspects would be negatively affected and, if possible, quantify the potential damage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would be disastrous" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, expressing a prediction or hypothetical assessment of a dire future outcome. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe potential consequences across various domains. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "would be disastrous" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that a future outcome is expected to be extremely negative. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable. Predominantly found in News & Media, this phrase serves as a warning, emphasizing severe potential consequences. Alternatives such as "would be catastrophic" or "would be devastating" offer nuanced ways to convey the level of negativity. To maximize impact, pair "would be disastrous" with specific, quantified details about the predicted harm and avoid using the phrase without a clear context or supporting information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would be catastrophic

Replaces 'disastrous' with 'catastrophic', implying a sudden and widespread disaster.

would be devastating

Substitutes 'disastrous' with 'devastating', emphasizing the destructive impact.

would be ruinous

Replaces 'disastrous' with 'ruinous', highlighting the potential for complete destruction or failure.

would be calamitous

Uses 'calamitous' instead of 'disastrous', indicating a grave event causing great suffering and loss.

would be detrimental

Substitutes 'disastrous' with 'detrimental', focusing on the harmful or damaging effects.

would have dire consequences

Replaces the single word with a phrase emphasizing the severity of the outcomes.

would spell disaster

Uses a more figurative expression to indicate an impending disaster.

would lead to catastrophe

Replaces 'disastrous' with a phrase that highlights the process leading to a catastrophic outcome.

would prove fatal

Indicates that the consequences would lead to death or failure, focusing on the ultimate negative outcome.

would end in tragedy

Emphasizes the tragic nature of the outcome, highlighting suffering and loss.

FAQs

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

The phrase "would be disastrous" is used to describe a hypothetical situation where the outcome would be extremely negative or harmful. For example: "Ignoring the warning signs "would be disastrous" for the entire community."

What are some alternatives to "would be disastrous"?

You can use alternatives such as "would be catastrophic", "would be devastating", or "would be ruinous" depending on the context and the specific type of negative impact you want to emphasize.

When is it appropriate to use "would be disastrous" in writing?

"Would be disastrous" is appropriate when describing potential outcomes that carry significant negative consequences. It is commonly used in formal writing, news reports, and academic papers to express serious concerns about future events or decisions.

What is the difference between "would be disastrous" and "could be problematic"?

"Would be disastrous" implies a severe and highly negative outcome, while "could be problematic" suggests a situation that might cause difficulties or issues, but not necessarily a complete failure or catastrophe. The former is stronger and should be reserved for truly dire scenarios.