a severe program

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a severe program" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a program that is strict, intense, or rigorous in nature, often in contexts related to training, education, or software. Example: "The university offers a severe program that challenges students to push their limits and excel in their studies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Unilever P.L.C., the world's leading maker of consumer goods that include supermarket mainstays like Dove soap, Ragu spaghetti sauce and Lipton tea, said today that it would embark on a severe program of corporate cutbacks, eliminating 25,000 jobs over five years, closing 100 factories and possibly jettisoning up to 75percentt of its products.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Speaking at a conference in Latvia, Mr. Asmussen noted that the Baltic country, which ties its currency closely to the euro, responded to a crisis in 2008 by pushing through a severe austerity program quickly and coupling it with economic overhauls.

The New York Times

All of which reflects an emerging view, although it has not yet been officially stated, that it makes little economic sense for the monetary fund and the European Union to keep lending money to Greece so that the government can pay back private investors at double-digit interest rates — especially as Greek citizens suffer the effects of a severe austerity program.

The New York Times

The regular threats of hundreds of layoffs and severe program cuts this year brought numbed public reaction and here-we-go-again news coverage.

The New York Times

The government just implemented a severe emergency austerity program, including a doubling of interest rates, to vanquish the speculators who think Brazil looks an awful lot like Thailand.

Forbes

A less severe austerity program, coupled with a lower interest rate on Greek bonds, would have made the Greek public debt much more sovereign.

The New York Times

On Saturday Mr. Canales, a huge man with immense power in his heel stamping, offered a severe and often monotonous program.

The New York Times - Arts

Violators could be excluded from participation in any federal health care program, a severe penalty that is being bitterly fought by the health care industry.

The New York Times

At one community college in North Carolina — a state with a severe nursing shortage — nursing program applicants so outnumber available slots that there is a waiting list just to get on the waiting list.

The New York Times

In 1983, he was made the executive director of the National Commission on Social Security Reform, a bipartisan body led by Alan Greenspan that sought to correct a severe deficit in the program, caused by the weak economy of the 1970s.

The New York Times

That sense of purity and control pops up again in Delaney's failed attempt at a severe 101-day fasting program, which once famously helped Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull drop 15 kilograms.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a severe program", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the program severe. Be specific about the demands, restrictions, or consequences involved.

Common error

Avoid using "severe" redundantly. If the program's intensity is already implied by the context, consider using a more nuanced adjective like "rigorous", "demanding", or "intense".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a severe program" functions as a noun phrase, where "severe" modifies the noun "program". Ludwig confirms that it's generally used to describe a program that is rigorous or strict.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a severe program" is a noun phrase used to describe a structured set of actions or activities that are strict, intense, or carry significant consequences. As affirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and applicable in diverse contexts. It appears most frequently in news and media, as well as science and business publications. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates the nature and implications of the program's severity, and consider alternatives like "rigorous regimen" or "demanding undertaking" to avoid redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a stringent regimen

Focuses on the strictness and control of the program.

a rigorous course of action

Emphasizes the demanding and challenging aspects.

a demanding undertaking

Highlights the effort and commitment required.

an intense scheme

Conveys the high level of activity and focus.

a strict procedure

Highlights the adherence to rules and regulations.

a tough agenda

Emphasizes the difficulty and challenges of the plan.

a harsh discipline

Focuses on the severity and strictness of the rules.

an exacting methodology

Highlights the precision and attention to detail required.

a drastic measure

Emphasizes the significant and potentially impactful changes.

a punitive plan

Conveys the intention to enforce rules through punishment.

FAQs

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

You might say, "The company implemented "a severe program" of budget cuts to avoid bankruptcy" or "The athlete underwent "a severe program" to prepare for the Olympics".

What are some alternatives to "a severe program"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a rigorous course of action", "a stringent regimen", or "a demanding undertaking".

When is it appropriate to use "a severe program"?

It's appropriate when describing a structured set of actions or activities that are strict, intense, or have significant consequences. Make sure the severity is justified and clear to the audience.

What's the difference between "a severe program" and "a strict program"?

"A strict program" implies adherence to rules and regulations, while ""a severe program"" suggests a high level of intensity, difficulty, or potential consequences. The former focuses on compliance, the latter on impact.