a relatively severe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a relatively severe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is considered severe to a certain degree, often in comparison to other situations or conditions. Example: "The region experienced a relatively severe drought this year compared to previous years."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

"It's worth noting that that was part and parcel of a relatively severe recession, which has to be on the minds of the Fed policy makers".

The New York Times

The species B. coli can, in rare cases, infect humans and cause balantidiosis (balantidial dysentery), a relatively severe disease causing formation of intestinal ulcers.

Britannica

Despite their lack of bacteria-killing effect under a relatively severe experimental setting of dynamic immersion, the biocidal potency of the two Zr-based BMGs was demonstrated via a moist contact assay.

Materials Science and Engineering: C

The present study has identified certain elements of OSL and TTOSL signals that can be used, in combination with a relatively severe preheating regime, to retrospectively evaluate doses of tens of kGy: beyond the range traditionally possible using quartz.

Radiation Measurements

The coking materials deposited inside the spent zeolites after under a relatively severe deactivating condition (isobutane/2-butene molar ratios of 20) were characterized by GC/MS, TGA, and TPO.

Applied Catalysis A: General

Childhood-onset uveitis has a relatively severe course and led to visual loss in up to 22.3% of our patients.

Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

We examined the relationships between initial cognitive performance (PQ1), the deterioration in cognitive performance following a letter-writing task (PQ1 – PQ2 = DΔ) and dysgraphia (XF) in a group of AD patients presenting a moderate to relatively severe stage of disorder, and comparisons with a group of DLB patients and with ADli patients.

Clinical interventions in aging

Despite last week's impassioned defense of press freedom, politicians and activists also endorse a range of relatively severe restrictions on speech in France.

The New York Times

The Mindel Glacial Stage, representing a period of relatively severe climatic conditions and glacial advance, preceded the Mindel-Riss Interglacial and followed the Günz-Mindel Interglacial, both periods of relatively moderate climatic conditions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

An EDSS score of 4 indicates being "fully ambulatory without aid, up and about 12 hours a day despite relatively severe disability; able to walk without aid 500 meters" [ 24].

BioMed Research International

Second, present study was performed at only one university hospital placed in a large city with relatively severe air pollution and a high density of population.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a relatively severe" when you want to emphasize that something is serious but not at the highest possible degree. It's useful for making nuanced comparisons.

Common error

Avoid using "a relatively severe" when describing minor issues. The phrase implies a notable degree of seriousness, so reserve it for situations where the severity is genuinely significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a relatively severe" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase. It qualifies a noun by describing its degree of severity. Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

9%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a relatively severe" serves to describe something that is considerably serious or intense, yet not at the most extreme level. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and usable in various writing contexts. Common in science and news media, it offers a balanced way to portray significance without exaggeration. When using this phrase, ensure the context warrants a degree of seriousness and avoid applying it to trivial situations. Alternatives like "somewhat intense" or "fairly serious" can provide similar nuance in different wording.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fairly serious

Substitutes "severe" with "serious", offering a more common but slightly less forceful alternative.

a somewhat intense

Replaces "relatively severe" with a milder term, indicating a slightly lower degree of intensity.

a quite extreme

Replaces "severe" with "extreme", suggesting a position far from the norm, qualified by "quite".

a moderately critical

Uses "critical" to suggest importance and seriousness, while "moderately" tempers the intensity.

a comparatively critical

Emphasizes criticality while using "comparatively" to indicate a relative assessment.

a reasonably drastic

Uses "drastic" to suggest a radical or extreme measure, tempered by "reasonably".

a considerably grave

Employs "grave" to emphasize the seriousness and "considerably" to highlight the extent.

a markedly acute

Uses "acute" to describe a sharp or intense condition, and "markedly" to emphasize its notability.

a notably harsh

Replaces "severe" with "harsh", indicating unpleasantness or difficulty.

a significantly damaging

Focuses on the harmful effects, replacing "severe" with "damaging" and intensifying it with "significantly".

FAQs

How can I use "a relatively severe" in a sentence?

You can use "a relatively severe" to describe conditions, events, or consequences that are serious but not the most extreme. For example, "The patient experienced "a relatively severe" reaction to the medication" or "The company suffered "a relatively severe" financial setback this quarter".

What's a less formal way to say "a relatively severe"?

For a less formal tone, you could say "pretty bad", "quite serious", or "fairly intense". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a relatively severe" or "a very severe"?

Use "a relatively severe" when you want to indicate that something is serious in comparison to something else or within a certain context. Use "a very severe" when you want to emphasize a high degree of severity without necessarily making a comparison.

Can "a relatively severe" be used to describe emotions?

Yes, "a relatively severe" can be used to describe emotions, although it's less common. For example, "He experienced "a relatively severe" bout of anxiety after the incident".