|
Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
welnny
Joined: 29 Oct 2009
Posts: 3
|
 Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:53 pm Post subject: disaster, catastrophe, fiasco |
 |
|
Dear Teachers:
I have some problems about the three words.
1.
"disaster" and "catastrophe" mean a suddent event causes great damage like flood or earthquake.
But what are the differences between the two words?
Is "catastrophe" more serious than "disaster"?
Could you give me some examples?
2.
"disaster", "catastrophe" and "fiasco" mean something that is bad or a failure.
Could I use those words to decribe a same thing?
ex. This party was a disaster/catastrophe/fiasco.
Do they have the same meaning?
Thank you very much.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
chinateacher
Joined: 17 Nov 2009
Posts: 20
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 10:18 am Post subject: Re: disaster, catastrophe, fiasco |
|
|
| welnny wrote: |
Dear Teachers:
I have some problems about the three words.
1.
"disaster" and "catastrophe" mean a sudden event causes great damage like flood or earthquake.
But what are the differences between the two words?
Is "catastrophe" more serious than "disaster"?
Could you give me some examples?
| Quote: |
Yes.
When describing events that impact many people who are injured or die there are subtle differences.
The sinking of the ferry was a disaster.
If a large asteroid hit the Earth it would be a global catastrophe.
2.
"disaster", "catastrophe" and "fiasco" mean something that is bad or a failure.
Could I use those words to describe a same thing?
ex. This party was a disaster/catastrophe/fiasco.
Do they have the same meaning?
Thank you very much. |
When describing events that affect few people when no one dies or is injured, this informal usage is more common. It is used to refer to an event that went badly.
-Their attempts to paint their house themselves ended in disaster. It did not look professional.
-The sales presentation ended in catastrophe. They lost the contract and were fired.
-The children's party was a fiasco. They made a mess of the entire house.
-The theatrical play was a disaster. None of the actors could remember their lines.
-The rock band's performance was a disaster. Their equipment was all out of tune.
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
