broad and severe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "broad and severe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is extensive in scope and intense in impact or effect. Example: "The consequences of the policy change were broad and severe, affecting multiple sectors of the economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In the past, the negative impact of the Global Gag Rule has been broad and severe: clinics that provide a basic, lifesaving maternal and child health care services have been forced to close; and access to contraceptives were severely limited, resulting in more unintended pregnancies and more unsafe abortions.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

By the time the legislation had passed on Oct. 3, the global market crisis was so broad and so severe that we needed to move quickly and take powerful steps to stabilize our financial system and to get credit flowing again.

The New York Times

In conclusion, we showed that YN-like viruses are a predominant strain in China and that YN IBV exhibits broad tissue tropism and severe pathogenicity in chickens.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

The nation's gross domestic product expanded at an annual rate of 3.5percentt during the third quarter, proving that the longest, broadest and most severe American downturn since the 1930s has finally given way to recovery.It is no accident that the recession ended just as Washington's fiscal stimulus program began providing its maximum impetus to the economy.

The New York Times

This represents a broader and more severe range than that included in the CFQ-R validation (mean range = 51 – 92) [ 24], but similar to that reported by Bradley et al. (mean range = 2585 85) [ 25].

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

The range of injury is broad and heterogeneous, from severe injuries involving multiple organ systems to isolated extremity wounds.

BioMed Research International

"Mild-to-severe disability" represents a broad definition of disability and "Severe disability" is the most limited [ 19].

BMC Public Health

With folk music, broad physical comedy, innocent romance and severe tragedy, the play centers on the relationship between Maria and her husband, Noam, whom she meets on the eve of World War I.

The New York Times

Therefore we conclude that the principal use of the method should be broad and early in sepsis and severe sepsis, so the progression of disease towards septic shock might be reduced.

Critical Care

9 11 53 54 In the 6S trial serious adverse events were restricted to severe bleeding and severe allergic reactions, 9 whereas CRYSTMAS used broad criteria.

British Medical Journal

> The differential diagnosis of severe malaria is broad and varies depending on the patient's travel history.

British Journal of Anaesthesia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "broad and severe", ensure that both aspects are genuinely applicable. Avoid using it as a cliché; provide specific details to illustrate the extent and intensity you are describing.

Common error

Avoid using "broad and severe" without providing concrete examples or evidence. Overusing this phrase without supporting details weakens your writing and makes it less persuasive. Instead, illustrate the scope and intensity with specific information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broad and severe" functions as a descriptive compound adjective, typically modifying a noun to emphasize the extent and intensity of its impact or characteristics. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it's often used to describe consequences, effects, or conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "broad and severe" is a powerful descriptor used to emphasize both the extensive reach and the high intensity of a situation, impact, or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various domains, including science, news, and business. While versatile, it's essential to use this phrase judiciously, providing specific details and examples to substantiate the claim of both breadth and severity. Alternatives like "extensive and intense" or "wide-ranging and harsh" can offer subtle shifts in emphasis, allowing for more precise communication. Avoiding overuse and ensuring contextual relevance will enhance the effectiveness of this impactful phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extensive and intense

Substitutes "broad" with "extensive" focusing on the wide reach and "severe" with "intense" indicating high degree of effect.

widespread and critical

Replaces "broad" with "widespread" for emphasis on extent, and "severe" with "critical" highlighting the urgency of the impact.

pervasive and extreme

Replaces "broad" with "pervasive", stressing its widespread presence and "severe" with "extreme", amplifying its intensity.

extensive and critical

Similar to "widespread and critical", but uses "extensive" for an alternative emphasis on reach.

wide-ranging and harsh

Replaces "broad" with "wide-ranging", emphasizing the scope, and "severe" with "harsh", indicating a negative or punitive impact.

profound and serious

Emphasizes the depth and gravity of the situation, using "profound" for "broad" and "serious" for "severe".

far-reaching and devastating

Replaces "broad" with "far-reaching" emphasizing the extent of the effects, and "severe" with "devastating" to amplify the intensity.

comprehensive and acute

Uses "comprehensive" to highlight thoroughness and "acute" to suggest sudden and intense impact.

substantial and grave

Highlights the significance and seriousness of the impact, replacing "broad" with "substantial" and "severe" with "grave".

significant and drastic

Indicates importance and intensity, with "significant" replacing "broad" and "drastic" replacing "severe".

FAQs

How can I use "broad and severe" in a sentence?

Use "broad and severe" to describe situations with widespread impact and high intensity. For example: "The economic downturn had "broad and severe" consequences for small businesses."

What are some alternatives to "broad and severe"?

Some alternatives include "extensive and intense", "wide-ranging and harsh", or "pervasive and extreme". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "broad and severe"?

It is appropriate when describing situations or consequences that have a wide scope and a significant, often negative, impact. Ensure that both the breadth and severity are demonstrably present.

How does "broad and severe" compare to "extensive and serious"?

"Extensive and serious" is a similar phrase, but "broad and severe" may imply a greater degree of intensity or negativity. "Extensive" focuses on the reach, while "serious" highlights the gravity of the consequences. Depending on the specific meaning you want to convey, one may be more appropriate than the other.