in severe cases

USAGE SUMMARY

"in severe cases" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to talk about an extreme situation when something is particularly serious or intense. For example: In severe cases of food poisoning, medical attention should be sought immediately.

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In severe cases, surgery may be considered.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In severe cases, blindness may result.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In severe cases it is potentially fatal.

The Guardian

In severe cases surgery is generally required.

Materials Science and Engineering: C

In severe cases, fluids must be injected intravenously.

The New York Times

In severe cases, it can cause respiratory and heart complications.

The Guardian

In severe cases, newer drugs called biologics may be used.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In severe cases, people with hemophilia can bleed to death.

Harvard University

In severe cases, this can cause a heart attack.

Harvard University

Sometimes it can last through 20 weeks, in severe cases.

Yale University

In severe cases surgical procedures may be necessary.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in severe cases", ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes a 'severe' case to avoid ambiguity. Provide specific examples or criteria that differentiate severe cases from less serious ones.

Common error

Avoid using "in severe cases" as a generic filler. Ensure the phrase adds meaningful information to the sentence and isn't simply stating the obvious. If the severity is already implied, consider omitting the phrase for conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in severe cases" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate under what conditions the action or state described is applicable. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's proper usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

20%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Science

26%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in severe cases" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to qualify statements and specify conditions under which certain outcomes or actions are applicable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and commonly used across diverse contexts, including news, encyclopedias, academia, and science. When employing this phrase, clarity is key. Ensure that the criteria defining a 'severe' case are well-defined to avoid ambiguity and overuse the phrase as a filler. While various alternatives exist, such as "in extreme instances" and "in critical situations", the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. By considering these factors, you can effectively use "in severe cases" to enhance the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in extreme instances

Substitutes "cases" with "instances", emphasizing the particular occurrences.

in critical situations

Replaces "severe" with "critical" and "cases" with "situations", focusing on moments of high importance or danger.

when the situation is dire

Changes the structure to a dependent clause highlighting when the situation is grave or urgent.

under drastic circumstances

Emphasizes the harsh or intense nature of the conditions.

in the most serious scenarios

Replaces "cases" with "scenarios" and uses "most serious" to amplify the severity.

when complications arise

Focuses on the emergence of difficult or problematic issues.

if the condition worsens

Shifts the focus to the deterioration of a state or health.

should the matter escalate

Highlights the increase in intensity or seriousness of an issue.

where the need is greatest

Emphasizes situations where the urgency or requirement is at its peak.

in exceptionally difficult situations

Adds extra emphasis on the difficulty level of the situations.

FAQs

How can I use "in severe cases" in a sentence?

Use "in severe cases" to introduce an outcome or action that applies when a situation is at its most critical or intense. For instance, "In severe cases, surgery may be required."

What are some alternatives to "in severe cases"?

You can use alternatives like "in extreme instances", "in critical situations", or "when the situation is dire" to express a similar meaning.

Is it always necessary to specify what constitutes a "severe case" when using the phrase?

While not always mandatory, specifying what constitutes a "severe case" can help avoid ambiguity and ensure the reader understands the specific circumstances you're referring to. Providing context enhances clarity.

What's the difference between "in severe cases" and "in rare cases"?

"In severe cases" refers to situations that are intensely serious, while "in rare cases" indicates situations that infrequently occur. They describe different aspects of a situation.