harshly affected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "harshly affected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something has been negatively impacted in a severe manner. Example: "The community was harshly affected by the recent economic downturn, leading to increased unemployment rates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Its economy appears to be the most harshly affected by the devastation 2,200 miles to the east.

The New York Times

The reinvention of left politics in the countries most harshly affected by the Eurozone crisis might appear to offer grounds for new optimism.

The Guardian

This will be long and difficult because it will be necessary to preserve Iraq's unity and to restore stability in a lasting way in a country and a region harshly affected by the intrusion of force.

The New York Times

As part of list of justifications condemned as heartless by family representatives, an official has told the potential donor: "You come from an area harshly affected by the civil war in this country.

The Guardian

He adds that many people here who have not been so harshly affected by austerity measures are "scared" of Mr Tsipras and his party, Syriza.

BBC

Harshly affected by the loss of home, friends and, in some cases, family members, these children find their only safe haven in school.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Proposed changes in India's Copyright Law may harshly affect its English-language publishing industry.

The New Yorker

The Republican cuts proposed for federal and state budgets will make little difference to the lives of Americans in the upper-income brackets, but they will harshly affect the health, education and security of everyone who is not: a stealth version of the principle of the flat tax by advocates unwilling to call it that.

The New York Times

Our country is big enough to balance the effects of a drought, or a flood, without too harshly affecting a local population.

Huffington Post

However, it should be carefully considered that even if this strategy seems to be straightforward, the influence of the decellularization protocol adopted can harshly affect the final result leading to a structure that does not retain anymore the expected cues, specially the mechanical ones.

BioMed Research International

It affected them harshly, but it was readily explainable retrospectively.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider substituting with a more precise synonym like severely impacted or adversely affected to convey the specific type and intensity of the negative effect.

Common error

Avoid using "harshly affected" when describing minor inconveniences or temporary setbacks. This phrase implies a significant and lasting negative impact, so reserve it for situations where the consequences are genuinely severe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harshly affected" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something or someone has experienced a severe negative impact. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is deemed grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "harshly affected" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe situations or entities that have experienced a significant negative impact. As Ludwig AI confirms its usability, it’s important to consider the context and potential alternatives to ensure the most precise and impactful communication. This phrase appears frequently in news, business, and scientific domains, emphasizing its versatility. When writing with "harshly affected", ensure the severity of the impact aligns with the gravity of the phrase and explore synonyms like "severely impacted" or "adversely affected" to avoid overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severely impacted

Emphasizes the intensity of the negative influence; less focused on the emotional connotation of 'harsh'.

adversely impacted

Focuses on the detrimental nature of the effect, suitable for formal contexts.

gravely impacted

Conveys a sense of seriousness and weightiness in the impact.

deeply influenced

Highlights the profound and lasting impact, shifting the emphasis from negative suffering to transformation.

detrimentally affected

Highlights the damaging and disadvantageous outcome, suitable for formal contexts.

significantly harmed

Emphasizes the degree of damage inflicted, suitable for situations involving tangible harm.

strongly influenced negatively

Explicitly indicates a powerful adverse effect, leaving no room for misinterpretation.

negatively influenced

A broad term indicating an unfavorable effect, applicable across diverse situations.

critically damaged

Highlights irreparable harm, implying a situation where the subject may not fully recover.

seriously undermined

Focuses on the weakening or erosion of something's foundation or strength.

FAQs

How can I use "harshly affected" in a sentence?

You can use "harshly affected" to describe something that has been negatively impacted in a severe way. For example, "The community was "harshly affected" by the economic downturn."

What phrases can I use instead of "harshly affected"?

Alternatives include "severely impacted", "adversely affected", or "deeply influenced", depending on the context.

What is the difference between "harshly affected" and "negatively affected"?

"Harshly affected" implies a greater degree of severity compared to "negatively affected". The former suggests a significant and potentially long-lasting impact, while the latter can refer to milder or more temporary effects.

Is it appropriate to use "harshly affected" in formal writing?

Yes, "harshly affected" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly when describing events with significant negative consequences. However, consider alternatives like "detrimentally affected" for more formal tone.