is that serious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is that serious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to inquire about the seriousness or gravity of a situation or statement. Example: "When he said he was quitting his job, I couldn't help but ask, 'Is that serious?'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

"The other is that serious business happens in court.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The real scandal is that serious follow-up on security in Libya is going unaddressed.

The New York Times

What's interesting is that serious people are apparently willing to pour large amounts of money into exploring it.

The Guardian - Tech

However, it acknowledges their limitations: "The reality is that serious cases [such as rape] still do get mediated," admits Arthy.

The Guardian

What's going on, I believe, is that serious economists — Hatzius at Goldman, and Olivier Blanchard — are rightly frightened by the economic outlook.

The New York Times

The best reason for wanting my colleagues to survive is that serious reporters and broadcasters offer a guarantee that what they say is true.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

It was THAT serious.

The Guardian - Music

It was that serious for me.

Vice

But not all incidents are that serious.

Huffington Post

Yes, it was that serious.

Independent

This is far from being that serious.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is that serious" to express genuine concern, disbelief, or to seek confirmation about the gravity of a situation. The tone can range from casual to formal depending on context.

Common error

Avoid using "is that serious" sarcastically in situations where genuine empathy is required. Sarcasm can be easily misinterpreted, especially in written communication, potentially damaging relationships.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is that serious" functions primarily as an interrogative phrase, used to seek confirmation or express surprise regarding a statement or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Examples show its use in various contexts to question the truth or severity of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is that serious" is a common and grammatically sound interrogative phrase used to inquire about the gravity or truth of a statement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. As analyzed, its usage spans across various contexts, from news and media to scientific discussions, generally maintaining a neutral register. The related phrases provide alternative ways to express similar levels of inquiry, and the writing guidance highlights best practices and common errors to avoid. It's a versatile phrase suitable for diverse communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are you serious

Indicates a direct question about the truthfulness or sincerity of a statement.

is that really the case

Questions the actual existence or reality of a situation.

is that for real

Asks about the authenticity or genuineness of something.

is it truly that bad

Inquires about the severity or degree of a negative situation.

is it as bad as it sounds

Asks for confirmation of the negative impact of something based on initial information.

do you mean that seriously

Focuses on the speaker's intention and sincerity behind the statement.

is that truly a problem

Specifically questions whether something constitutes a genuine issue.

is this a joke

Expresses disbelief and questions if the statement should be taken literally.

should I be concerned

Indicates worry and asks about the need for alarm.

am I understanding this correctly

Seeks clarification to ensure the information received has been accurately interpreted.

FAQs

How can I use "is that serious" in a sentence?

You can use "is that serious" to inquire about the gravity of a situation. For example, "You're moving to another country? Is that serious?"

What's a more formal alternative to "is that serious"?

In a formal context, you could ask, "Are you being serious?" or "Do you mean that seriously?". The phrase "do you mean that seriously" conveys a similar sense of inquiry but with greater formality.

Which is correct, "is that serious" or "is that seriously"?

"Is that serious" is grammatically correct. "Seriously" is an adverb and doesn't fit this sentence structure; "serious" is the correct adjective here.

Can "is that serious" be used sarcastically?

Yes, "is that serious" can be used sarcastically, implying disbelief or mockery. However, be mindful of the context and audience to avoid misinterpretation.