Devastating vs Devastatingly: Decoding Common Word Mix-Ups

When it comes to choosing the right word to convey a strong impact, it’s important to understand the nuances of language. One common dilemma is deciding between “devastating” and “devastatingly.”

The proper word to use depends on the context and intended meaning. Both words are adverbs that can be used to describe the severity of a situation or event. However, “devastating” is also an adjective that can be used to describe something that causes great damage or destruction.

When used as an adverb, “devastating” means causing severe emotional or physical harm, while “devastatingly” means in a way that causes great damage or destruction.

Throughout this article, we will explore the differences between these two words and provide examples of how to use them effectively.

Define Devastating

The word “devastating” is an adjective that describes something that causes great damage, destruction, or emotional distress. This term is often used to describe events, situations, or actions that have a severe and long-lasting impact on people or things. Devastating events can include natural disasters, such as hurricanes or earthquakes, or man-made disasters, such as wars or terrorist attacks. Devastating situations can include personal tragedies, such as the loss of a loved one or a serious illness.

Examples of how “devastating” can be used in a sentence:

• The hurricane was devastating, leaving behind a trail of destruction and loss.
• The news of the company’s bankruptcy was devastating to its employees.
• The effects of the war were devastating, causing widespread suffering and displacement.

Define Devastatingly

The word “devastatingly” is an adverb that describes something that is done in a way that causes great damage, destruction, or emotional distress. This term is often used to describe actions or events that are carried out with great force or intensity, resulting in a significant and long-lasting impact. Devastatingly can also be used to describe something that is done in a way that is impressive or awe-inspiring.

Examples of how “devastatingly” can be used in a sentence:

• The hurricane hit the coast devastatingly, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
• The company’s decision to lay off its employees was devastatingly abrupt and without warning.
• The athlete’s performance was devastatingly impressive, breaking records and winning gold medals.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to using the words “devastating” and “devastatingly” in a sentence, it’s important to understand their meanings and how they can be used to convey different levels of impact and intensity. In this section, we’ll explore how to use these words correctly in a sentence to effectively communicate your message.

How To Use “Devastating” In A Sentence

The word “devastating” is an adjective that describes something that causes severe damage or destruction. It can be used to describe a wide range of situations, from natural disasters to personal tragedies. Here are a few examples of how to use “devastating” in a sentence:

• The hurricane was devastating to the coastal communities.
• He received devastating news about his health.
• The earthquake caused devastating damage to the city.

As you can see, “devastating” is typically used to describe something that has caused significant harm or destruction. It can also be used to describe emotional or psychological damage, such as receiving bad news or experiencing a traumatic event.

How To Use “Devastatingly” In A Sentence

The word “devastatingly” is an adverb that is used to intensify the impact of the verb or adjective it modifies. It can be used to describe something that is extremely damaging or destructive, or to emphasize the severity of a situation. Here are a few examples of how to use “devastatingly” in a sentence:

• The hurricane was devastatingly powerful, causing widespread destruction.
• He was devastatingly handsome, with piercing blue eyes and chiseled features.
• The company’s decision to lay off employees was devastatingly unpopular.

As you can see, “devastatingly” is typically used to add emphasis to a statement and convey a sense of intensity. It can be used to describe physical attributes, such as someone’s appearance, or to describe the impact of a situation, such as a company’s decision to lay off employees.

More Examples Of Devastating & Devastatingly Used In Sentences

When it comes to using the words “devastating” and “devastatingly,” there are numerous ways to incorporate them into your writing. Here are some examples of how these words can be used in a sentence:

Examples Of Using “Devastating” In A Sentence

• The earthquake was devastating for the entire country.
• The news of her father’s death was devastating to her.
• The hurricane left a devastating trail of destruction in its wake.
• The loss of the championship game was devastating to the team.
• The forest fire had a devastating impact on the local wildlife.
• The car crash was devastating and left several people injured.
• The economic downturn had a devastating effect on the job market.
• The terrorist attack was devastating for the entire nation.
• The flood caused devastating damage to the city.
• The disease had a devastating impact on the patient’s health.

Examples Of Using “Devastatingly” In A Sentence

• The team played devastatingly well and won the championship.
• The actor’s performance was devastatingly powerful and emotional.
• The disease spread devastatingly fast throughout the community.
• The storm hit the coast devastatingly hard, causing widespread damage.
• The company’s profits dropped devastatingly low after the scandal.
• The politician’s speech was devastatingly effective in swaying public opinion.
• The bomb exploded devastatingly close to the embassy, causing chaos.
• The athlete was devastatingly disappointed after losing the race.
• The drought affected the crops devastatingly, leading to food shortages.
• The fire spread devastatingly quickly, leaving little time to evacuate.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using words like “devastating” and “devastatingly,” it’s easy to assume that they can be used interchangeably. However, this is a common mistake that can lead to confusion and miscommunication. Here are some of the most common mistakes to avoid:

1. Using “Devastatingly” As An Intensifier For “Devastating”

One common mistake people make is using “devastatingly” as an intensifier for “devastating.” For example, saying “the hurricane was devastatingly destructive” instead of “the hurricane was devastating.” While this may seem like a small difference, it can actually change the meaning of the sentence. “Devastating” means causing great damage or destruction, while “devastatingly” means in a way that causes great damage or destruction. So, using “devastatingly” as an intensifier for “devastating” is redundant and incorrect.

2. Using “Devastating” To Mean “Extremely”

Another common mistake is using “devastating” to mean “extremely.” For example, saying “the new policy was devastatingly unpopular” instead of “the new policy was extremely unpopular.” While “devastating” can be used to mean “extremely” in some contexts, it’s important to understand that it has a specific meaning related to destruction and damage. Using it inappropriately can lead to confusion and miscommunication.

3. Using “Devastatingly” To Mean “Very”

Similarly, using “devastatingly” to mean “very” is also a common mistake. For example, saying “the movie was devastatingly boring” instead of “the movie was very boring.” Again, this is incorrect because “devastatingly” has a specific meaning related to destruction and damage. Using it inappropriately can make the sentence sound awkward and unclear.

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes

To avoid making these mistakes in the future, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the meanings of “devastating” and “devastatingly.” Here are some tips:

• Use “devastating” to refer to something that causes great damage or destruction.
• Use “devastatingly” to describe the way in which something causes great damage or destruction.
• Avoid using “devastating” to mean “extremely” or “very.”
• Read your sentences carefully to ensure that you are using these words correctly.

Context Matters

Choosing between the words “devastating” and “devastatingly” can depend on the context in which they are used. The choice between these two words can significantly alter the tone and meaning of a sentence.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Let’s take a look at some different contexts and how the choice between “devastating” and “devastatingly” might change:

Context	Example Sentence	Appropriate Word Choice
Personal Tragedy	“The loss of my grandmother was devastating/devastatingly sad.”	“Devastating” would be more appropriate in this context, as it conveys a sense of extreme sadness and grief. Using “devastatingly” would add an unnecessary emphasis and could come across as insensitive.
Natural Disaster	“The hurricane was devastating/devastatingly destructive.”	“Devastatingly” would be more appropriate in this context, as it emphasizes the extreme level of destruction caused by the hurricane. Using “devastating” alone would not fully convey the severity of the situation.
Business Failure	“The company’s bankruptcy was devastating/devastatingly bad for the employees.”	Either word choice could work in this context, depending on the tone and emphasis the writer wants to convey. “Devastating” would convey a sense of extreme negative impact, while “devastatingly” would emphasize the degree to which the bankruptcy affected the employees.

As you can see, the choice between “devastating” and “devastatingly” can depend on the context in which they are used. It is important to consider the tone and emphasis you want to convey when choosing between these two words.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the usage of “devastating” and “devastatingly” is generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions where the rules might not apply. Here are some explanations and examples for each case:

1. Adverbial Usage Of “Devastating”

As mentioned earlier, “devastating” is usually an adjective that describes the extent or severity of damage caused by something. However, in some cases, it can also function as an adverb that modifies a verb. For example:

• The hurricane devastated the entire town, leaving thousands homeless.
• The team was devastated by the news of their star player’s injury.
• The company’s profits were devastated by the economic downturn.

In these sentences, “devastated” is used as an adjective to describe the extent of damage caused by the hurricane, the emotional impact of the news, and the severity of the economic downturn. However, it can also be used as an adverb to describe the intensity or degree of the action being performed (i.e., “devastated” modifies the verbs “left,” “was,” and “were” in the examples above).

2. Figurative Usage Of “Devastatingly”

While “devastatingly” is typically used to describe the severity or intensity of something negative, it can also be used in a more figurative sense to describe something positive or impressive. For example:

• The singer’s performance was devastatingly good, leaving the audience in awe.
• The athlete’s speed and agility were devastatingly effective, scoring multiple points for the team.
• The author’s writing style was devastatingly beautiful, evoking strong emotions in readers.

In these sentences, “devastatingly” is used to describe the impressive or positive aspects of the singer’s performance, the athlete’s skills, and the author’s writing style, rather than the negative impact they might have had.

3. Colloquial Usage Of “Devastating”

Finally, it’s worth noting that “devastating” can also be used in a more colloquial or informal sense to describe something that is simply very impressive or effective, without necessarily causing any actual damage or harm. For example:

• The new video game is absolutely devastating, with stunning graphics and immersive gameplay.
• The comedian’s jokes were devastatingly funny, leaving the audience in stitches.
• The chef’s signature dish was devastatingly delicious, earning rave reviews from diners.

In these sentences, “devastating” is used to describe the impressive or effective aspects of the video game, the comedian’s jokes, and the chef’s dish, rather than any negative impact they might have had.

Practice Exercises

Improving one’s understanding and use of devastating and devastatingly can be achieved through practice exercises. Here are some exercises that readers can use to enhance their knowledge of these words:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

1. The hurricane was _________ to the small island.	devastating
2. The news of the company’s bankruptcy was _________ to its employees.	devastating
3. The team’s loss in the championship game was _________.	devastating

Answer key: 1. devastating, 2. devastating, 3. devastating

Exercise 2: Choose The Correct Word

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence:

1. The fire was _________ hot.

• a. devastating
• b. devastatingly

The earthquake was _________ strong.

• a. devastating
• b. devastatingly

The news was _________ sad.

• a. devastating
• b. devastatingly

Answer key: 1. devastatingly, 2. devastatingly, 3. devastating

Conclusion

After exploring the usage of “devastating” versus “devastatingly,” it is clear that the two words have distinct meanings and should be used appropriately in writing and speech. “Devastating” is an adjective that describes something that causes great damage or destruction, while “devastatingly” is an adverb that intensifies the impact of the adjective it modifies.

It is important to understand the nuances of language and grammar to effectively communicate with others. By using words correctly, we can convey our thoughts and ideas with precision and clarity.

Key Takeaways From The Article:

• “Devastating” is an adjective that describes something that causes great damage or destruction.
• “Devastatingly” is an adverb that intensifies the impact of the adjective it modifies.
• Using words correctly is important for effective communication.

By continuing to learn about grammar and language use, we can improve our writing and communication skills. Whether it’s through reading books, taking classes, or practicing writing, there are many ways to enhance our language abilities.