a severe event

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a severe event" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an incident or occurrence that is serious or has significant negative consequences. Example: "The hurricane was a severe event that caused widespread destruction and loss of life."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

The extent and severity of landslide damage sustained across the study area during the March 1995 storm was consistent with a severe event with a likely recurrence interval of several decades.

New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science

The emergency physician assigned an adverse drug event severity category at the point-of-care: A severe event caused death or required admission, a moderate event required a change in medical management, and a mild event required no change in therapy [ 22- 24].

BMC Health Services Research

Most events associated with possible acute phase reactions were determined by the investigator to be mild or moderate in severity; only 1 patient, in the once-a-month group, experienced a severe event.

Clinical interventions in aging

Witt's firm points out in its report that United Illuminating, the other nonmunicipal utility operating in Connecticut, had a severe event level contingency in which 71 percent of its customers were assumed to go dark.

The New York Times

The suspected Russian cyberattack on Ukraine's electric grid in December that caused widespread power outages probably would have been a Level 4 — a "severe" event that likely would result in "significant" harm to public safety or national security — if it had happened in the United States, the official said.

The Washington Post

Nevertheless, the ΔPWV map does not help in defining where a severe event could take place.

Earth, Planets and Space

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

The 2007 study used a scenario describing a future influenza pandemic as a potentially severe event.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

"The Biak massacre is widely known in anecdotal terms in West Papua as being a really severe event but it's not acknowledged officially at all – certainly not by the Indonesian government," he said.

The Guardian

We believe that it is better to plan for a more severe event that will leave the system overprepared than to risk being underprepared.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

In the occasion of a severe adverse event, the event will be recorded and immediately reported to the RMIT HREC, followed by a detailed written report.

BMJ Open

The patients validated symptom descriptions for a non-severe daytime hypoglycaemic event, a non-severe nocturnal hypoglycaemic event and a severe hypoglycaemic event.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a severe event", ensure the context clearly indicates the nature and scope of the severity. Quantify the impact if possible to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a severe event" when the situation is only moderately impactful. Reserve this phrase for situations with significant and demonstrable negative consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a severe event" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It describes a specific incident or occurrence characterized by its intensity or gravity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

18%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a severe event" is a commonly used noun phrase denoting an incident of significant impact or consequence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across different contexts. Its formality is generally neutral, with frequent usage in scientific and news-related domains. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the gravity of the situation to avoid overstatement. Consider related phrases like "a critical incident" or "a major crisis" for nuanced expression. The expert rating confirms the phrase's proper grammatical use and consistent meaning across contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a critical incident

Emphasizes the decisiveness or importance of the event.

a serious occurrence

Focuses on the gravity and potential consequences of the event.

a grave situation

Highlights the solemn and concerning nature of the circumstances.

a major crisis

Indicates a turning point with potentially dangerous outcomes.

a significant episode

Points to the notability and importance of the event.

a calamitous happening

Emphasizes the disastrous or tragic aspect of the event.

a devastating occurrence

Highlights the destructive and damaging effects of the event.

a traumatic experience

Focuses on the deeply distressing or disturbing nature of the event.

a harsh episode

Suggests difficulty and unpleasantness in the situation.

an extreme incident

Emphasizes the unusual or exceptional severity of the event.

FAQs

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

You can use "a severe event" to describe something serious or impactful, such as "The earthquake was "a severe event" that caused widespread damage".

What are some alternatives to "a severe event"?

Alternatives include "a critical incident", "a serious occurrence", or "a major crisis", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a severe event" in formal writing?

Yes, "a severe event" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when detailing significant incidents or occurrences. Ensure the tone matches the severity of the described event.

What distinguishes "a severe event" from "a difficult situation"?

"A severe event" implies significant negative consequences or impact, whereas "a difficult situation" suggests challenges that may not necessarily involve major repercussions. The former is a stronger, more impactful term.