gravely hurt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gravely hurt" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a serious or severe level of physical or emotional injury. Example: The victim was gravely hurt in the car accident and had to be rushed to the hospital for immediate treatment.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

No one was gravely hurt.

The New York Times

They assumed he had been gravely hurt.

The Guardian

It gravely hurt people in lasting ways.

The Guardian - Opinion

The injured were spread across the French capital, with the gravely hurt treated in 35 different operating theatres.

The Guardian

In recent months, the protests against Chinese governance have taken the form of self-immolations that have left 15 Tibetans dead or gravely hurt.

The New York Times

Allen's testimony could be important because he could offer insight into when Gray was gravely hurt and what officers could have known about Gray's condition.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Such as when Richard Branson rightly complained about how our "everyday actions are gravely hurting the planet", but remained a fervent advocate of both space tourism and aviation expansion.

The Guardian

They help and gravely harm each other.

The New Yorker

Sessions also took a break from his work to help Trump's private prison owner donors, and to hurt gravely ill people who depend on medical marijuana, to appear last Friday on the morning show "Fox & Friends".

Huffington Post

That a lot of people had been hurt, "some gravely".

The New Yorker

You can fall and hurt yourself gravely, but the real danger lurks in working yourself up into such a state of terror that you halt, unable to move up or down.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gravely hurt" to emphasize the serious nature of an injury or harm, suggesting a significant and lasting impact on the affected person or entity. For instance, "The company's reputation was gravely hurt by the scandal."

Common error

Avoid using "gravely hurt" in overly casual or informal settings, as it can sound overly dramatic. Opt for simpler alternatives like "badly hurt" or "seriously injured" when describing minor incidents or everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gravely hurt" functions as an adverb-verb construction, where the adverb "gravely" modifies the verb "hurt". According to Ludwig AI, it indicates a serious or severe level of injury or harm. As demonstrated in the examples, it is used to describe significant physical or emotional damage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gravely hurt" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe serious injury or harm. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness for formal and neutral contexts. Usage examples from sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, emphasize its applicability in describing situations with significant consequences. When writing, consider the audience and context to ensure the level of formality matches. While "gravely hurt" is a valid choice, alternatives such as "seriously injured" or "badly harmed" may be more suitable for informal settings. Overall, "gravely hurt" serves as a powerful way to underscore the severity and potential long-term effects of an injury or harmful situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seriously injured

Focuses specifically on physical injury and the severity of the injury.

severely wounded

Emphasizes physical harm, often associated with conflict or violence.

critically injured

Highlights the life-threatening nature of the injuries.

badly harmed

Broader term encompassing both physical and emotional damage.

deeply wounded

Often refers to emotional or psychological distress rather than physical injury.

sorely afflicted

Implies suffering from a serious condition or problem.

grievously injured

A more formal and less common way to express serious injury.

suffered greatly

Focuses on the experience of enduring significant pain or hardship.

experienced severe trauma

Highlights the psychological impact of a damaging event.

sustained major injuries

A more clinical and descriptive way to refer to physical harm.

FAQs

How can I use "gravely hurt" in a sentence?

Use "gravely hurt" to describe a situation where someone or something has suffered significant harm or injury, either physically or emotionally. For example, "The hiker was "gravely hurt" after falling from the cliff".

What are some alternatives to "gravely hurt"?

You can use alternatives like "seriously injured", "severely wounded", or "badly harmed" depending on the specific context and the type of harm you want to emphasize.

Is it correct to say "gravely injured" instead of "gravely hurt"?

Yes, "gravely injured" is a perfectly acceptable alternative to "gravely hurt", particularly when referring to physical harm. The choice between the two often depends on personal preference or the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "gravely hurt" instead of "slightly hurt"?

"Gravely hurt" should be used when the injury or harm is severe and has lasting consequences. If the harm is minor, using phrases like "slightly hurt" or "mildly injured" would be more appropriate.