as severe as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as severe as" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare degrees of severity, particularly when highlighting the similarities between two or more objects, subjects, people, or situations. For example, "The hurricane was as severe as the earthquake that had occurred a year before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Not quite as severe as that.

The Guardian - Music

Regarding "law and order", Trump sounded as severe as Nixon.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It was not as severe as we feared".

The New York Times

"Our problems aren't as severe as others," Cashman said.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet, marijuana withdrawal is not nearly as severe as withdrawal from most other drugs.

The New York Times

I have a feeling that climate change may be an issue as severe as a war.

The Guardian

"The deficit in Connecticut isn't anywhere near as severe as in other states," Mr. Looney said.

The New York Times

But they were not nearly as severe as the drop in the Nasdaq composite.

The New York Times

"First, the punishment must be as severe as possible to promote deterrence.

The New York Times

"We modeled a worldwide recession, but not one quite as severe as we're currently seeing".

The New York Times

Somehow I don't think Mortier's New York provocations will be as severe as that.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as severe as", ensure you're comparing like items. For instance, compare the severity of two hurricanes, not a hurricane to a financial crisis. This maintains logical consistency and enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "as severe as" when there is no clear or direct relationship between the items being compared. For example, saying "His headache was as severe as the national debt" is illogical, unless you elaborate on a metaphorical connection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as severe as" functions as a comparative construction, specifically to indicate that two or more items, situations, or conditions possess an equivalent level of intensity or seriousness. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

15%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as severe as" serves as a comparative tool, used to equate the intensity or seriousness of different subjects. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically correct. Analysis of its usage reveals that it's most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts, as well as formal and informal communication. When using "as severe as", ensure that you are comparing like items. Alternatives such as "as critical as", "as grave as", and "as serious as" can provide subtle shifts in emphasis while maintaining a similar meaning. The phrase is a versatile and frequently used way to convey the magnitude of a situation by comparing it to something equally intense.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as serious as

A direct synonym emphasizing the weightiness and potential consequences of a situation.

as critical as

Emphasizes the importance and urgency of a situation, slightly shifting the focus from sheer severity to the potential consequences.

as grave as

Highlights the seriousness and potential danger of a situation, adding a sense of foreboding.

as intense as

Focuses on the high degree of strength or force involved, useful when describing experiences or sensations.

as extreme as

Indicates that something is at the furthest possible point on a scale, suggesting a lack of moderation.

of equal severity to

Highlights the parity in the intensity of a situation.

as bad as

A more informal way to express a similar level of negativity or undesirability.

comparably severe to

Formal alternative employing different grammatical structure.

to the same degree as

Neutral in tone emphasizing the measurable level of severity.

matches the severity of

Focuses on mirroring the intensity.

FAQs

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

Use "as severe as" to compare the intensity or seriousness of two or more things. For example, "The economic impact was "as severe as" the recession of 2008".

What are some alternatives to saying "as severe as"?

You can use alternatives like "as critical as", "as grave as", or "as serious as" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "equally as severe as"?

While "equally severe" is grammatically sound, "equally as severe as" can be redundant. For clarity, it's best to stick with ""as severe as"" or "equally severe".

What is the difference between "as severe as" and "more severe than"?

"As severe as" indicates an equal level of intensity or seriousness, while "more severe than" suggests that one thing is greater in intensity or seriousness compared to another.