half as severe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "half as severe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the severity of two situations, indicating that one is less severe than the other by a factor of two. Example: "The storm this year was half as severe as the one we experienced last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Patients' self rating revealed that it took 2.9 days until their symptoms were half as severe as on the first day, compared to 3.9 days for the placebo.

Science Magazine

Three weeks later, the rashes did come back, but they were not even half as severe as they had been in the past.

Science Magazine

And in those that did get sick, the diarrhea was about half as severe and lasted about half as long as in nonimmunized mice.

Science Magazine

Muscle control problems were about half as severe in the monkeys on the restricted diet, as measured by how far and fast they moved.

Science Magazine

This suggests that if GSE criteria had been used during the last decade, then the number of foreclosures--indeed, the foreclosure crisis itself--would be half as severe.

Huffington Post

Also, the deterioration was only approximately half as severe with 22.4% vs. 42.4%, respectively.

Advances in Therapy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Banks reckon the impact will only be one-third to one-half as severe as the Fed believes.Stress tests of the sort imposed in America are influential elsewhere, with regulators in London and Frankfurt keen to emulate them.

The Economist

Europe has been growing only half as fast as the United States, and Japan's economy is flat, worsening the already severe American trade deficit.

The New York Times

And not half as clean.

The New Yorker

Not quite as severe as that.

The Guardian - Music

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

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "half as severe", ensure that the context clearly defines what is being compared. For instance, specify 'half as severe as last year's storm' for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "half as severe" without a clear reference point. If the reader doesn't know what the severity is being compared to, the phrase loses its meaning and impact. Always provide context for what is being halved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half as severe" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It indicates a comparative degree of severity, specifying that something is considerably less intense or serious than something else. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "half as severe" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that serves to quantitatively compare the intensity of two scenarios. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides real-world examples. While not exceedingly common, it appears in a range of contexts, from scientific literature to news reports. When using this phrase, ensure that the basis for comparison is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "50% less severe" or "significantly milder" can offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. Ultimately, "half as severe" provides a concise and effective way to indicate a notable reduction in intensity or impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

50% less severe

Quantifies the reduction more precisely using a percentage.

half the intensity

Focuses on the intensity of the condition or situation.

moderately less severe

Adds a degree of subjectivity, suggesting the reduction is noticeable but not drastic.

significantly milder

Emphasizes a considerable decrease in severity, using a different adjective.

not as intense

Offers a simpler, more direct comparison of intensity.

considerably reduced in severity

Highlights that the severity has been reduced to a noticeable extent.

less acute

Focuses on the acuteness or sharpness of the condition.

partially alleviated

Indicates that the severity has been lessened but not completely eliminated.

somewhat diminished in intensity

Suggests a slight decrease in the intensity of the condition.

only slightly severe

Downplays the severity of the condition, suggesting it's barely noticeable.

FAQs

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

You can use "half as severe" to compare the intensity of two similar events. For example, "The economic downturn was "half as severe" as the 2008 crisis."

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

Some alternatives include "50% less severe", "significantly milder", or "not as intense", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "half as severe"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase follows standard English grammar rules for comparative adjectives and adverbs.

When is it appropriate to use "half as severe" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to directly compare the intensity or impact of two situations, highlighting that one is significantly less intense than the other. For example, "The symptoms were "half as severe" with the new medication."