a severe fall

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a severe fall" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or serious drop in something, such as prices, health, or physical movement. Example: "After the economic crisis, there was a severe fall in the stock market that affected many investors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The People, which sold 425,000 copies in August, will suffer a severe fall.

The Guardian

A severe fall in oil, say one that erases most of the gains of the five-year rally, seems unlikely, but how about somewhat cheaper?

The New York Times

Some were speaking of him as the next Codona until a severe fall in 1953, according to "The Story of Fay Alexander," a short, undated biography owned by the circus museum.

The New York Times

It was only after she took a severe fall on a patch of ice in 1866, and recovered while reading the Bible, that she cemented her belief in the healing power of prayer.

The New York Times

Injured in a severe fall shortly after Quimby's death in early 1866, she turned, as she later recalled, to a Gospel account of healing and experienced a moment of spiritual illumination and discovery that brought not only immediate recovery but a new direction to her life.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We expect the deficit to be slightly higher than the government's estimate, at around 11-12% of GDP, but also that any reduction achieved in 2010 will be fairly modest.Warning – sharp decline aheadEven before the effective bankruptcy of the Icelandic financial sector, a severe fall in domestic demand had been occurring in the economy.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Klayman and Judicial Watch had a severe falling out in 2003, however, and several years went by with little or nothing happening in the lawsuit.

Wikipedia

They had been working together on campaigns in Texas, but after a severe falling out had been estranged ever since.

The New Yorker

However, by the 1360s there was a severe falling off in incomes that can be seen in clerical benefices, of between a third and half compared with the beginning of the era, to be followed by a slow recovery in the fifteenth century.

Wikipedia

The rural economy appears to have boomed in the 13th century and in the immediate aftermath of the Black Death was still buoyant, but by the 1360s there was a severe falling off of incomes, which can be seen in clerical benefices, of between a third and half compared with the beginning of the era.

Wikipedia

Somewhat cheaper oil would help, as Japan imports virtually all of its energy, but a more severe fall might create a deflationary funk of the sort that kept Japanese growth tepid throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an abstract concept, such as economic indicators or poll results, consider using "a severe fall" to convey a significant negative change.

Common error

Avoid using "a severe fall" in casual conversations or informal writing where simpler terms like "big drop" or "major decrease" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a severe fall" functions primarily as a noun phrase. According to Ludwig, it's used to denote a substantial or significant decline, drop, or descent in various contexts, such as economic indicators or physical accidents.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a severe fall" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to depict a significant decline or drop. According to Ludwig, its applicability spans various contexts, with prominent usage in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. While the phrase maintains a neutral register, it can be adapted to both formal and informal communication settings. Remember to use this phrase when you want to imply that the fall or drop was significant, and avoid using it in very casual contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant decline

Emphasizes the substantial degree of reduction or deterioration.

a drastic drop

Highlights the sudden and sharp nature of the decrease.

a precipitous descent

Implies a rapid and uncontrolled downward movement.

a sharp reduction

Focuses on the abruptness and magnitude of the lessening.

a critical downturn

Indicates a serious negative turn in a situation or trend.

a marked decrease

Stresses the noticeable and distinct quality of the reduction.

a considerable diminution

Highlights the substantial lessening in size, extent, or degree.

a substantial slide

Suggests a gradual but significant downward movement.

a serious collapse

Implies a complete and sudden failure or breakdown.

a major setback

Focuses on the negative impact and hindrance caused by the decline.

FAQs

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

You can use "a severe fall" to describe a significant decline or drop in something, such as "a severe fall" in stock prices or "a severe fall" in temperature.

What are some alternatives to "a severe fall"?

Alternatives include "significant decline", "drastic drop", or "sharp reduction" depending on the context.

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

Yes, "a severe fall" is suitable for formal writing, especially when describing serious or critical declines in areas such as economics, health, or physical incidents.

What's the difference between "a severe fall" and "a bad fall"?

"A severe fall" implies a greater magnitude or impact than "a bad fall". "Severe" suggests a serious or critical situation, while "bad" is more general.