Meaning
capable of causing great harm or failure
Primary Function
Adverb‑adjective collocation for expressing high‑risk warnings
Communicative Purpose
To warn listeners/readers about serious possible consequences
Pattern
potentially disastrous
Core Structure
potentially disastrous
Função primária
Adverb‑adjective collocation for expressing high‑risk warnings
Propósito comunicativo
To warn listeners/readers about serious possible consequences
Situações de gatilho
During formal risk analyses, safety briefings, emergency planning meetings
Contextos
Academic research on disaster management, professional technical reports, news media coverage of crises
Padrão
potentially disastrous
Estrutura central
potentially disastrous
Slots de substituição
potentially catastrophic, possibly ruinous, grave consequences
Colocados típicos
- consequences
- outcome
- decision
- effects
- scenario
- situation
Substituições comuns
- possibly ruinous
- catastrophic
- severe repercussions
Erros comuns
‘potential disastrous’ – the adverb must precede the adjective; omitting ‘potentially’ changes meaning to a less serious risk.
Similar / contraste
likely catastrophic, probably ruinous – these alternatives convey higher probability but still high severity
Interferências
In languages where certainty is expressed differently (e.g., German’s stark vs. English’s potential), learners may over‑use or under‑use the phrase, leading to misinterpretation of seriousness.
Família do chunk
- potentially catastrophic
- could be devastating
- likely tragic
Nuance
The phrase carries a sobering tone that emphasizes worst‑case outcomes rather than merely possible negative results.
Efeito pragmático
Alarms listeners and prompts precautionary measures by signalling severe potential repercussions.
Dica de memória
The consequences of failure are potentially disastrous.
Nota
This chunk is often used in formal and professional contexts to convey a sense of high risk or warning.
Upgrade path
dangerous → very risky → potentially disastrous
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