far too severe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "far too severe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is excessively harsh or strict, often in relation to rules, punishments, or judgments. Example: "The penalties for minor infractions were deemed far too severe by the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Equally, the scale of Liverpool's decline was far too severe.

Independent

Other critics said the punishment was far too severe.

The New York Times

Many federal judges have told the sentencing commission that the child pornography guidelines are far too severe.

The New York Times

But the judge who sentenced him said that her injuries had been far too severe to be accidental and that Lionel's actions had been "cold, callous and indescribably cruel".

The New York Times

But Mr. Manafort's lawyers argued that such a punishment would be far too severe, asking for a sentence "significantly below the advisory guidelines". They cited a string of cases of other defendants who were sentenced to probation or imprisoned for less than a year for similar schemes involving millions of dollars of income hidden away in overseas bank accounts.

The New York Times

The ruling said he had an "abysmal record" of tardiness, but that his punishment for disobeying an order was far too severe; it was reduced to a three-day suspension.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is facing a staggering array of problems far too numerous and severe to list here.

The Washington Post

In conclusion, although Lewy bodies are the neuropathological hallmark of the diagnosis, the pathophysiology of the neurodegenerative process can hardly be explained by them since the number of Lewy bodies is far too low for the severe symptoms.

Acta Neuropathologica

And it's far too soon to say whether severe diets can extend human life, she added.

Science Magazine

Children, in particular, often don't understand how severely their digital words and their sharing of images can affect their peers (and others), and thus the social problems caused by cyber-communications are far too frequent and can be very severe.

Huffington Post

In far too many cases, racial segregation is as severe or worse today than a generation ago.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "far too severe", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being evaluated as excessive. Be specific about the consequences or implications of this severity.

Common error

Avoid using "far too severe" without providing concrete examples or justification. Overstating the severity can weaken your argument and make your assessment seem subjective rather than objective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far too severe" functions as an adverbial intensifier modifying an adjective. It amplifies the degree to which something is considered severe. Ludwig AI confirms the acceptability and provides real world examples of its usage in context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "far too severe" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English to express that something is excessively harsh or strict. Ludwig AI confirms this, and examples show it frequently appears in News & Media and Science contexts. While the phrase is considered uncommon in general usage, it's a useful way to emphasize the degree to which something exceeds acceptable limits. When using this phrase, ensure that you provide adequate context and justification for your assessment to avoid seeming subjective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively harsh

Replaces "far too severe" with a more direct emphasis on the degree of harshness.

unduly strict

Focuses specifically on the excessive strictness of a rule or regulation.

disproportionately punitive

Highlights that the punishment doesn't match the offense.

overly stringent

Similar to unduly strict but with a stronger emphasis on the rigid application of rules.

unjustifiably rigorous

Emphasizes the lack of justification for the intensity or strictness.

needlessly extreme

Highlights the unnecessary nature of the severity.

unreasonably harsh

Similar to excessively harsh, but emphasizing the lack of reason or fairness.

out of proportion

Indicates that the severity is not in line with what is appropriate or expected.

exorbitantly punitive

Focuses on the excessive cost or burden imposed by the severity.

over the top

An informal way to express that something is excessively dramatic or intense.

FAQs

How can I use "far too severe" in a sentence?

You can use "far too severe" to describe something that is excessively harsh, strict, or intense. For example: "The judge felt the sentence was "far too severe" for such a minor offense."

What phrases are similar to "far too severe"?

Similar phrases include "excessively harsh", "unduly strict", or "disproportionately punitive". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always negative to describe something as "far too severe"?

Yes, describing something as "far too severe" generally implies a negative judgment, suggesting that a punishment, rule, or action is excessive or inappropriate for the situation.

How does "far too severe" differ from "too severe"?

Adding "far" before "too severe" intensifies the degree of severity. It emphasizes that the severity is not just somewhat excessive, but significantly so.