as serious as ever

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as serious as ever" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that a situation or person's seriousness has not changed over time. Example: "Despite the challenges we face, the team remains as serious as ever about meeting our deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

With the New York Film Festival currently presenting a wide range of remarkable films — many unheralded — and with superb independent films (such as Zach Clark's "Little Sister") opening in limited releases and runs, the responsibility of critics for preserving not only the cinema's past but also its future is as great and as serious as ever.

The New Yorker

Element 1 of the NWS has been suspended even though the problems of invasive species and deer browsing remain as serious as ever.

New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The first set was "serious," or as serious as Jon ever got.

The New York Times - Arts

Producers from almost every region make rosés that are as serious as rosés ever get.

The New York Times - Food

Gibby was as serious as anybody you ever saw, and you had to be ready at all times.

The New Yorker

"The prevalence of rape and sexual violence during armed conflict is not a new problem, but it is as serious as it has ever been," Bellamy said on the International Day for the Prevention of Violence Against Women.

Unicef

If it is true that democracy is not as bad as it seems, then it is tempting to imagine that no crisis is ever as serious as it looks.

The Guardian - Books

Clinton replied: "It is deeply unfortunate that something as serious as what happened in Benghazi could ever be used for partisan political purposes".

The Guardian

As the case progressed, Ms. Love distributed several e-mails lambasting what she considered fraudulent music business practices, while her attorney claimed that "no record label has ever faced charges as serious as these".

The New York Times - Arts

And no one I spoke to had ever heard of restorative justice applied for anything as serious as murder.

The New York Times - Magazine

"As serious as can be," Castles said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as serious as ever" to reinforce that a situation's gravity or a person's dedication hasn't diminished over time. It adds emphasis and continuity to your description.

Common error

Avoid using "as serious as ever" for minor or unimportant situations. It's best reserved for contexts where genuine seriousness or gravity is involved; otherwise, it can sound exaggerated or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as serious as ever" functions as an adverbial phrase of comparison, modifying a verb or adjective to emphasize the unchanging state of seriousness. Ludwig confirms this usage, showcasing its role in highlighting continuity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as serious as ever" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to emphasize that a situation or person's seriousness has not diminished over time. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase functions as an adverbial phrase of comparison and is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific writing. While it's a versatile phrase, remember to reserve it for truly serious situations to avoid sounding hyperbolic. Alternatives such as "just as serious as before" or "equally serious now" can be used for similar emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just as serious as before

Replaces "ever" with "before" to indicate a comparison to a previous state.

equally serious now

Uses "equally" and "now" to emphasize the present seriousness.

remains just as serious

Highlights the continuation of the seriousness.

still as serious as it was

Emphasizes the lack of change in the level of seriousness.

no less serious than in the past

Formal phrasing indicating the seriousness has not diminished.

as grave as always

Substitutes "grave" for "serious", adding a sense of foreboding.

continues to be serious

Focuses on the ongoing nature of the seriousness.

as critical as it has always been

Replaces "serious" with "critical", emphasizing the importance of the situation.

just as important as before

Shifts the focus from "serious" to "important", highlighting significance.

remains a grave concern

Uses "grave concern" to convey a sense of worry and importance.

FAQs

How can I use "as serious as ever" in a sentence?

You can use "as serious as ever" to emphasize the persistence of a grave situation or unwavering dedication. For example: "Despite the setbacks, their commitment remains "as serious as ever"."

What are some alternatives to "as serious as ever"?

Some alternatives include "just as serious as before", "equally serious now", or "remains just as serious". These options provide similar emphasis but with slightly different phrasing.

Is "as serious as ever" formal or informal?

The phrase "as serious as ever" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the overall tone of the writing and the seriousness of the subject matter.

How does "as serious as ever" compare to "just as serious"?

"As serious as ever" implies a comparison to a continuous, ongoing state, whereas "just as serious" simply indicates a similar level of seriousness without necessarily referencing a past state. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize continuity.