a severe case of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a severe case of" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a condition, illness, or situation that is serious or extreme. Example: The patient was admitted to the hospital with a severe case of pneumonia. Here, the phrase "a severe case of" is used to indicate that the patient's pneumonia is very serious and requires urgent medical attention. Other examples: - The city is experiencing a severe case of pollution, causing health concerns for its residents. - The court is dealing with a severe case of fraud, involving millions of dollars. - The teacher was impressed by the student's severe case of procrastination, as they consistently submitted their assignments late.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In "Diet and Fat: A Severe Case of Mistaken Consensus" (Oct.

The New York Times

A severe case of indigestion?

The Economist

It turned out to be a severe case of woodworm.

The Guardian

It suffers from a severe case of terminology-itis.

The Guardian

Draper (below) suffered from a severe case of OCD.

Independent

Blackley, 27, does not have a severe case of A.D.D.

The New York Times - Sports

Ray had a severe case of Tourette's syndrome.

The New York Times

Her husband has a severe case of juvenile diabetes.

The New York Times

Americans are struggling with a severe case of electoral dysfunction.

The New York Times

I asked her what it was like to have a severe case of this disease.

Stanford University

I am a 28-year-old female with a severe case of irritable bowel syndrome.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a medical condition, use "a severe case of" to emphasize the seriousness and potential impact on the patient's health and well-being.

Common error

Avoid using "a severe case of" in casual conversation or informal writing when a simpler, less dramatic expression would suffice. Overusing it can diminish its impact when describing truly serious situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a severe case of" functions as a qualifier, intensifying the noun that follows it. It indicates a high degree or intensity of a particular condition, illness, or situation, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples such as "a severe case of pneumonia" or "a severe case of writer's block".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a severe case of" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a condition, illness, or situation that is serious or extreme. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to emphasize the intensity or gravity of the noun it modifies. It frequently appears in news and media sources to describe various issues, but also has applications in academia, as shown in Ludwig's examples. While generally neutral in register, it's best reserved for situations where the severity truly warrants such emphasis to avoid diluting its impact. Alternatives such as "a serious bout of" or "an extreme instance of" can provide nuanced substitutes depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a serious bout of

Replaces "case" with "bout", suggesting a period of illness or difficulty, and "severe" with "serious", implying gravity.

an acute attack of

Replaces "case" with "attack" to suggest a sudden and intense onset of a condition or feeling, and "severe" with "acute" implying sharpness and severity.

an extreme instance of

Substitutes "severe case" with "extreme instance", focusing on the intensity of a particular occurrence or situation.

an advanced stage of

Suggests that a disease or problem has progressed to an intense phase.

a critical episode of

Uses "critical episode" to emphasize the urgency or seriousness of a particular event or condition.

a significant episode of

Replaces "severe" with "significant" to indicate importance or noteworthiness.

a grave manifestation of

Employs "grave manifestation" to highlight the alarming or concerning nature of something.

a major incident of

Employs "major incident" to highlight the importance and impact of a situation.

a terrible occurrence of

Uses "terrible occurrence" to emphasize the negative or undesirable nature of something.

a pronounced form of

Uses "pronounced form" to emphasize the distinct and noticeable character of something.

FAQs

How can I use "a severe case of" in a sentence?

You can use "a severe case of" to describe an extreme instance of an illness, condition, or problem. For example, "The patient was diagnosed with a severe case of pneumonia."

What are some alternatives to "a severe case of"?

Alternatives include "a serious bout of", "an extreme instance of", or "an acute attack of", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "a severe case of"?

It's appropriate when describing a situation or condition that is serious, intense, or has significant negative consequences. Use it when you want to emphasize the gravity of the situation.

Is there a difference between "a severe case of" and "a mild case of"?

Yes, "a severe case of" indicates a serious and impactful instance, while "a mild case of" suggests a less intense or impactful instance of the same condition or problem.