highly serious

USAGE SUMMARY

"highly serious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when emphasizing the seriousness of a situation or an opinion. For example: "The situation is highly serious and requires immediate attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

I meet several of his highly serious and alarmingly articulate young PhD students.

The Guardian - Music

Although Humboldt and Gauss were extremely ambitious and highly serious, Kehlmann often presents them humorously.

The New York Times - Books

Management of medical wastes generated at different hospitals in Egypt is considered a highly serious problem.

Journal of Hazardous Materials

This concert was nominally a celebration, but was full of the highly serious stuff the group does best.

The Guardian - Music

"I suppose a certain kind of traditional, highly serious journalist would say, 'Kurt, are you out of your mind?,' " Mr. Andersen said, shrugging.

The New York Times - Arts

The highly serious journal Lancet Infectious Diseases yesterday posed the question itself over a paper revealing the rapid spread of multi-drug-resistant bacteria.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Stalking is a highly dangerous and serious crime with a direct correlation to fear, physical violence and murder, yet it's often a punchline.

Huffington Post

David Sherborne, acting for the singer, claimed that the "extremely serious" and "highly defamatory" allegations were designed purely to raise publicity for the magazine.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, across four taps and several bottles, Timberyard focuses on highly-serious, cutting-edge beers – sours, saisons, a gruit beer that includes local herbs, even a mead – from the likes of Kernel, Brew By Numbers and Partizan.

The Guardian - Travel

Seeking nanny for infant and 7-yr-old girl nr Towson, start early August , 25-35hrs/wk, pref longtime basis (3+ yrs), must have own car, functional English, warm heart, good judgment, be highly responsible; serious inquiries only.

Johns Hopkins University

El País set out to be a highly readable, serious, literate national newspaper appealing to diverse interests and schools of political thought.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "highly serious", ensure the context clearly warrants a strong emphasis on the gravity of the situation. Overuse can diminish its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "highly serious" in everyday conversations or informal writing. Save it for situations that genuinely demand a strong expression of severity to maintain its effectiveness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly serious" primarily functions as an adjectival modifier. It intensifies the adjective "serious", emphasizing the gravity, importance, or critical nature of a situation, issue, or concern, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "highly serious" is used to emphasize the grave or critical nature of a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, suggesting its usage is suitable in various contexts. While it's most commonly found in "News & Media" and "Science" outlets, overuse in informal settings can diminish its impact. Related phrases like "extremely grave" or "very critical" provide alternative ways to convey a similar meaning. Ensure its application aligns with the intended level of urgency and formality to maintain its effectiveness in written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely grave

Emphasizes the severity of the situation, focusing on the potential for negative outcomes.

very critical

Highlights the urgency and potential for instability in the situation.

deeply concerning

Focuses on the worry and unease caused by the situation.

incredibly important

Shifts the focus to the significance and value of the matter.

utterly crucial

Highlights the necessity of the matter, suggesting it is essential.

supremely vital

Underscores the essential nature of something for survival or success.

majorly significant

Indicates the substantial impact or influence of the matter.

exceptionally crucial

Expresses the critical importance and necessity of a matter.

acutely critical

Emphasizes the immediacy and intensity of the situation's criticality.

distinctly dangerous

Highlights the potential harm and risk associated with the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "highly serious" in a sentence?

You can use "highly serious" to describe situations, issues, or concerns that require immediate attention and consideration. For example: "The doctor informed him that his condition was "highly serious" and required immediate hospitalization."

What are some alternatives to "highly serious"?

Alternatives to "highly serious" include "extremely grave", "very critical", or "deeply concerning", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "highly serious" or "very serious"?

Both "highly serious" and "very serious" are grammatically correct, but "highly serious" provides a stronger emphasis on the gravity of the situation. Choose the phrase that best fits the level of emphasis needed in your context.

What makes a situation qualify as "highly serious"?

A situation is "highly serious" when it poses a significant threat to well-being, safety, or stability, and demands immediate, careful consideration and action to mitigate potential negative outcomes. The severity justifies the emphatic adjective.