an even more severe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an even more severe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the severity of two or more situations, indicating that one is more severe than another. Example: "The storm last night was bad, but the forecast predicts an even more severe storm tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But postponing it will leave an even more severe financial crisis looming just over the horizon.

The Economist

But next time, it will be compounded by sea level rise, creating an even more severe disaster.

Columbia University

"Today Libya is facing an even more severe internet disruption, yet we continue to see the movement picking up pace.

The Guardian

A similar slide emerged in August 1990, one month into what proved an even more severe downturn.

The New York Times

Strikingly, we also observe an even more severe loss of non-CG methylation, suggesting an unexpected role for the ADD in this process.

Cell Reports

Julio Cesar charged off the line to pounce on the ball, sparing his defender an even more severe rollicking than the one he's currently getting from Lucio.

The Guardian - Sport

But 1978 turned out to be the year of tumult in Iran, leading to revolution and to an even more severe oil crisis.

The New Yorker

"If there's any doubt to any of our players about it in the future," he said, "we will be dealing with this in an even more severe way".

The New York Times

He added, "If there's any doubt to any of our players about it in the future, we will be dealing with this in an even more severe way".

The New York Times - Sports

He also cautioned against taking violent measures to fight militants, claiming it could lead to an even more severe extremist response.

Independent

At one extreme, to ignore regulatory lessons and just bail out the financiers would be to invite an even more severe crisis next time round.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an even more severe" to emphasize a significant worsening or intensification of a situation, especially when comparing it to a previous state. This phrase is effective in conveying a sense of urgency or heightened concern.

Common error

While "an even more severe" is grammatically correct, avoid overusing it in informal writing or conversations. Overusing the phrase could make your communication sound overly dramatic or unnatural; consider using simpler alternatives when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an even more severe" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It typically describes a situation, condition, or event, emphasizing its heightened intensity or seriousness. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an even more severe" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjectival phrase that serves to emphasize a heightened level of intensity or seriousness. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is perfectly valid. Its widespread use in news, scientific, and academic contexts underscores its versatility and effectiveness in conveying a sense of urgency or heightened concern. While it's advisable to avoid overusing the phrase in informal settings, it remains a valuable tool for precise and impactful communication when a situation has notably worsened. Alternative phrases, such as "a considerably harsher" or "a significantly graver", can provide subtle variations in meaning, depending on the intended context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerably harsher

Emphasizes a greater degree of unpleasantness or strictness.

a substantially graver

Highlights a significantly more serious or weighty situation.

a markedly intensified

Focuses on the noticeable increase in the degree of intensity.

a significantly exacerbated

Highlights that something has been made noticeably worse.

an exceptionally critical

Indicates a state of extreme importance or danger.

a drastically heightened

Emphasizes the dramatic increase in degree or intensity.

a notably acute

Focuses on the sharpness or intensity of a negative condition.

a profoundly acute

Indicates the deepness or pervasiveness of sharpness or intensity of a negative condition.

a greatly magnified

Highlights something that is made to appear greater than it actually is.

an extraordinarily drastic

Expresses a situation that is extreme in its nature or effect.

FAQs

How can I use "an even more severe" in a sentence?

You can use "an even more severe" to compare the intensity of two situations, emphasizing that the second situation is considerably worse than the first. For example, "The initial economic downturn was concerning, but the subsequent recession was "an even more severe" blow to the country's economy."

What are some alternatives to "an even more severe"?

Alternatives to "an even more severe" include "a considerably harsher", "a substantially graver", or "a markedly intensified". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "a more severe" without the "even"?

Yes, it is correct to say "a more severe" without the "even". However, adding "even" emphasizes a greater degree of difference or escalation in severity.

What's the difference between "an even more severe" and "a significantly worse"?

While both phrases indicate an increased level of severity, "an even more severe" implies a comparison to a previously mentioned situation or condition. "A significantly worse" simply emphasizes the magnitude of the severity without necessarily making a direct comparison.