would be ruinous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would be ruinous" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are describing a situation in which something has potential to cause destructive or harmful consequences. For example: "A war between the two countries would be ruinous for the entire region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

A United Nations vote on Palestinian membership would be ruinous.

The New York Times

Any well-founded impression that the timing is governed by domestic political concerns would be ruinous.

The Economist

Mr. Obama's defense secretary, Leon E. Panetta, has said reductions on that scale would be ruinous.

The New York Times

"Considering our workers human would be ruinous to the fast food industry as we know it".

The New Yorker

The real effects, the foundation said, would be ruinous for families and job creation.

The New York Times - Magazine

"You look back at the Dan Quayle pick, and everybody thought that would be ruinous.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

But the rail line is different: it would cost us more than it would benefit us, according to the National Audit Office, but it would not be ruinous, and it is not just for show.

Independent

Either independence or fiscal autonomy (the SNP's next-best option) would be utterly ruinous.

The Economist

This would be a ruinous and artistically tone-deaf legal precedent.

The Guardian - Music

What would be more ruinous for a politician whose hugely popular wife has terminal cancer than an affair?

The Guardian - Opinion

The god Enlil must consider the anti-flood argument that killing humanity would be economically ruinous: humans, according to the epic, were created to serve as earth's laboring class, necessary for the gods to maintain their plush lifestyle.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would be ruinous" when you want to emphasize the potential for significant damage or destruction, whether physical, economic, or emotional. For example, "Cutting funding for education would be ruinous to future generations."

Common error

Avoid using "would be ruinous" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly dramatic or formal. Opt for simpler alternatives like "would be bad" or "would be harmful" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would be ruinous" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that has the potential to cause severe damage or destruction. Ludwig provides several examples where the phrase is used to describe potential consequences in political, economic, and environmental contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

19%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "would be ruinous" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe scenarios with potentially devastating consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for use in written English when conveying the risk of significant damage or destruction. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, with notable frequency in formal and business contexts, the phrase carries a neutral register, making it fitting for professional discussions and serious analyses. While alternatives like "would be devastating" or "would be catastrophic" offer similar meanings, "would be ruinous" specifically underscores the element of complete or near-complete destruction. When writing, it is advised to avoid overusing it in overly informal contexts to keep writing appropriate to the public.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would be devastating

Emphasizes the emotional and widespread impact of the consequences.

would be catastrophic

Highlights the sudden and disastrous nature of the outcome.

would be disastrous

Focuses on the failure and unfortunate results.

would be crippling

Indicates a severe limitation or disabling effect.

would be calamitous

Stresses the tragic and deeply unfortunate nature of the results.

would spell disaster

Uses a figurative expression to denote a very negative outcome.

would have dire consequences

Highlights the severity and negative impact of potential outcomes.

would bring about downfall

Implies a complete loss of power, wealth, or status.

would lead to collapse

Suggests a breakdown or failure of a system or entity.

would prove fatal

Emphasizes the potentially lethal or destructive result.

FAQs

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

Use "would be ruinous" to describe a situation that would cause significant damage or destruction. For example, "Ignoring climate change "would be ruinous" for the planet."

What can I say instead of "would be ruinous"?

You can use alternatives like "would be devastating", "would be catastrophic", or "would be disastrous" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "would be ruinous" or "will be ruinous"?

"Would be ruinous" is used for hypothetical or conditional situations, while "will be ruinous" is used for future events that are certain to cause ruin. Choose the option that best fits the context.

What's the difference between "would be ruinous" and "would be damaging"?

"Would be ruinous" implies a greater degree of destruction or harm than "would be damaging". Ruinous suggests complete or near-complete destruction, while damaging suggests harm that may be repairable.