an extreme case

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an extreme case" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or example that is significantly more intense or severe than typical cases. Example: "In an extreme case, the patient may require immediate surgery to address the life-threatening condition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is an extreme case.

The Economist

But East Asia is an extreme case.

The Economist

But Hawaii is an extreme case.

The New York Times

The dinky duchy is an extreme case.

The Economist

Lebanon's dysfunction is an extreme case.

The New York Times

That was an extreme case.

The New York Times

OK, this is really an extreme case.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Behan's was simply an extreme case".

The Guardian

But this is surely an extreme case.

The Guardian

Mr Blair is an extreme case.

The Guardian - Opinion

But this was an extreme case.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an extreme case" to emphasize the importance or urgency of addressing a problem. It can effectively highlight the potential consequences if typical situations escalate.

Common error

Avoid using "an extreme case" to sensationalize or exaggerate situations. Overusing this phrase can diminish its impact and credibility, particularly if the case isn't genuinely exceptional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an extreme case" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies a specific instance that deviates significantly from the norm, serving to illustrate a point or emphasize a situation's severity. As seen in Ludwig, it is commonly used to highlight outliers or exceptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an extreme case" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase employed to highlight situations that deviate significantly from the norm. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to emphasize a point by illustrating a rare or severe instance. While versatile, it is best used judiciously to avoid sensationalizing content. Alternatives such as "an exceptional instance" or "a rare example" can provide similar emphasis with slight variations in formality. This phrase appears frequently in News & Media, Academia, and Scientific contexts. Its neutral to formal register makes it suitable for various types of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an exceptional instance

Replaces 'extreme' with 'exceptional', emphasizing the rarity and deviation from the norm, but maintains a similar level of formality.

a rare example

Focuses on the infrequency of the occurrence, making it suitable when highlighting something unusual.

an extraordinary situation

Substitutes 'case' with 'situation' and 'extreme' with 'extraordinary', altering the context slightly to focus on circumstances.

an outlier

Uses a statistical term to denote a data point that significantly differs from other observations. Less formal.

the worst-case scenario

Specifies that the extreme case is the most negative possibility, focusing on potential adverse outcomes.

a drastic situation

Replaces 'extreme' with 'drastic', emphasizing the severity and potentially sudden nature of the instance.

a one-off incident

Highlights the singularity and non-repeatability of the case, suitable when emphasizing its uniqueness.

an unprecedented event

Emphasizes that the case has no prior parallel, adding a layer of historical uniqueness.

a fringe case

Indicates that the situation is on the periphery or outside the typical range of occurrences.

the ultimate example

Highlights the case as the definitive or most representative of its kind, often used to set a high benchmark.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "an extreme case" in a sentence?

Use "an extreme case" to emphasize a point by illustrating a scenario that is significantly more intense or unusual than typical ones. For example: "An extreme case of neglect can lead to severe health problems."

What are some alternatives to using "an extreme case"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "a rare example", "an exceptional instance", or "an extraordinary situation" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always appropriate to use "an extreme case" in formal writing?

While "an extreme case" is generally acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "an exceptional instance" or "an unprecedented event" in highly formal or academic contexts to maintain a professional tone.

How does "an extreme case" differ from "a typical case"?

"An extreme case" refers to a situation that is far from ordinary, often involving rare or severe circumstances. In contrast, "a typical case" describes a common or representative situation.