degree of evil

USAGE SUMMARY

"degree of evil" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the level or extent of evil in a person or situation. For example, "The degree of evil in his actions was shocking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I spent a lot of time writing about the disappointment of discovering, somewhat first-hand, the degree of evil of which we are still capable.

The Guardian

The enormous degree of evil in this world, and the vast range of forms that it takes, are impossible to explain or justify from our human perspective (i.e., given the limits of human understanding).

SEP

The degree of evil has risen to genocide.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In that neighbourhood they won't be making too many distinctions between degrees of evil.

The Guardian - Books

Rep. 89, that it may depend upon degrees of evil without being arbitrary or unreasonable.

Cornell University

The weakness of faith-based liberalism is that it contains nothing that helps in the choices that must be made between different kinds and degrees of evil.

The Guardian

The case for this position was restated eloquently by Ron Rosenbaum in a recent article in The Atlantic Monthly about degrees of evil.

The New York Times - Books

The novel makes you aware that deviant behavior is everywhere, and everyone is capable of different degrees of evil.

Huffington Post

Over the last few months, the louder critics of the Common Core learning standards have associated the initiative with varying degrees of evil: vampires, zombies, brain tracking, Hitler.

Huffington Post

DISPARATE: Your willingness to slaughter is unbelievable and your brutality is a sight to behold, this has the most punch so to speak of all the degrees of evil as it isn't common for players to be the monster in the game.

WikiHow

Then he adds that "we are not competent judges & cannot possibly determine" whether these virtues could have been achieved in humankind without the natural evil (and the degree of natural evil) we witness in our world (Natural Theology 101).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing abstract concepts like "evil", use "degree of evil" to provide a quantifiable or measurable aspect to the discussion, making it more concrete and understandable.

Common error

Avoid using "degree of evil" in situations where simpler terms like "bad" or "wrong" suffice. The phrase is most effective when analyzing complex moral issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "degree of evil" functions as a noun phrase that quantifies or measures the extent or intensity of evil. It is used to provide a specific assessment of the level of immorality or malevolence present in a situation or action, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "degree of evil" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that helps quantify the extent or intensity of malevolence. Ludwig AI indicates it is most commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts. While alternatives like "extent of evil" and "magnitude of evil" exist, "degree of evil" provides a specific and measurable assessment of immorality. When using this phrase, it's best to apply it in situations that require a nuanced evaluation of complex moral issues rather than in simple contexts where alternative terms like "bad" or "wrong" suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extent of evil

Replaces "degree" with "extent", focusing on the scope or range of the evil.

magnitude of evil

Substitutes "degree" with "magnitude", emphasizing the size or significance of the evil.

severity of evil

Replaces "degree" with "severity", highlighting the harshness or graveness of the evil.

intensity of evil

Changes "degree" to "intensity", focusing on the strength or force of the evil.

depth of evil

Uses "depth" instead of "degree", suggesting how deeply rooted or profound the evil is.

level of wickedness

Replaces "evil" with "wickedness" and "degree" with "level", changing the noun but retaining the core meaning.

scale of immorality

Substitutes "evil" with "immorality" and "degree" with "scale", broadening the concept to include unethical behavior.

depth of depravity

Changes "evil" to "depravity" and "degree" to "depth", focusing on moral corruption.

the measure of evil

Replaces "degree" with "measure", presenting a more evaluative perspective.

the scope of wrongdoing

Uses "wrongdoing" instead of "evil" and "scope" in place of "degree", shifting the focus to the actions themselves.

FAQs

How can I use "degree of evil" in a sentence?

You can use "degree of evil" to describe the extent or intensity of malevolence in a situation or action. For example, "The "degree of evil" displayed by the dictator was unprecedented."

What are some alternatives to "degree of evil"?

Some alternatives include "extent of evil", "magnitude of evil", or "severity of evil", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "degrees of evil" instead of "degree of evil"?

Yes, "degrees of evil" is also correct and refers to different levels or types of evil, implying a spectrum. "Degree of evil" typically refers to the intensity or extent of a particular instance of evil.

What is the difference between "evil" and "wickedness" in relation to "degree of evil"?

"Evil" is a broader term, while "wickedness" often implies a more deliberate and malicious form of evil. You can use "degree of wickedness" to emphasize the intentional and malicious nature of the act, while ""degree of evil"" is more general.