a severe examination

USAGE SUMMARY

"a severe examination" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a rigorous or thorough evaluation or testing of something. For example: - The students were anxious about their upcoming exams, especially the one that was known to be a severe examination of their knowledge and skills. - The company's financial records were subjected to a severe examination by the auditors, revealing some concerning discrepancies. - The athlete's performance during the intense training camp was seen as a severe examination of their dedication and abilities.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Cook mustered 33 runs in the Test and behind the stumps Matt Prior was far from flawless as back-to-back matches provided a severe examination of his fitness.

The Guardian - Sport

As Faldo could testify at the time, the final nine holes of a major championship are a severe examination of a player's technique as well as their mental fortitude.

The Guardian - Sport

BBC Sport's Phil McNulty Chelseaea showed once more why they will be worthy Premier League champions after they survived a severe examination from Leicester City before overpowering them with strength and class.

BBC

Jimmy Anderson then had Abhinav Mukund caught in the gully from the first ball of India's innings, but Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman survived a severe examination from England's seamers to reach 24-1 athehe close.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

At least 38 people died in the collapse, prompting Italy's President Sergio Mattarella to call for a "serious and severe examination of the causes".

Vice

To warrant election, the candidate must prove that he uses the wines of Burgundy, must demonstrate, in the course of a severe oral examination, a proper knowledge and appreciation of wines.

The New Yorker

At our clinical examination, a severe systo-diastolic hypertension (220/140 mmHg) was observed, and mucosal neuromas of the tongue were found.

BMC Endocrine Disorders

Examination by a severe weather team from the Bureau of Meteorology examined the damage in the Bucca and Kolan region and recorded it as an 'F4' on the Fujita scale.

Wikipedia

Based on the clinical history, and the neurological and radiographical examinations, a severe spinal cord injury to the C1 to C5 spinal cord segment as result of an acute and temporary atlantoaxial subluxation was suspected.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

Histological examination showed a severe inflammation in the anterior segment as well as in the posterior segment as evidenced by a massive influx of mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cells into the retina and choroid, granuloma formation, vasculitis, photoreceptor loss and vitritis (Figure 1A, B).

Plosone

A complete physical examination revealed a severe bilateral subconjunctival hemorrhage.

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a severe examination", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being examined and why the examination is considered severe. This helps to emphasize the rigor and thoroughness of the assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "a severe examination" to describe routine or minor evaluations. This can dilute the impact of the phrase and make your writing sound hyperbolic. Reserve it for situations where the examination truly involves significant rigor and intensity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a severe examination" functions as a noun phrase, where "severe" modifies the noun "examination". It describes a particular type of examination characterized by its intensity and rigor. Ludwig's examples show it in contexts where thoroughness is key.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a severe examination" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a rigorous and thorough evaluation. While relatively rare in occurrence, as demonstrated by Ludwig, it's found in both news and scientific contexts. The phrase is generally neutral to formal, emphasizing the intensity of the examination. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a valid and usable phrase in written English. When using this phrase, ensure the context justifies the implication of rigor and intensity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a rigorous assessment

Emphasizes the thorough and demanding nature of the evaluation.

a stringent evaluation

Highlights the strictness and precision involved in the assessment.

a thorough investigation

Focuses on the comprehensive and detailed nature of the inquiry.

a critical analysis

Stresses the importance of careful and objective judgment.

a demanding review

Underscores the challenging and exacting standards of the review process.

an intense scrutiny

Highlights the close and careful observation applied.

a meticulous inspection

Emphasizes the detailed and precise examination.

a comprehensive audit

Focuses on the complete and systematic assessment.

an in-depth probe

Highlights the thorough and penetrating investigation.

a forensic analysis

Stresses the detailed and scientific examination, often in a legal context.

FAQs

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

You can use "a severe examination" to describe a rigorous or thorough evaluation of something. For example: "The company's financial records underwent a severe examination by external auditors."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "a severe examination"?

Alternatives to "a severe examination" include "a rigorous assessment", "a stringent evaluation", or "a thorough investigation", depending on the context.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "a severe examination"?

The phrase "a severe examination" is appropriate in contexts where a very thorough and rigorous analysis or assessment is being conducted, such as in legal, medical, or academic settings.

What is the difference between "a serious examination" and "a severe examination"?

"A serious examination" implies that the examination is important and requires attention, while "a severe examination" suggests the examination is exceptionally thorough, rigorous, and potentially challenging or critical. A "serious examination" might involve a standard review, but a "severe examination" suggests a more in-depth and intense process.