it proved serious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it proved serious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that something has been confirmed or demonstrated to be serious in nature or consequence. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, it proved serious that the issue required immediate attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Although Ferguson has already ruled the England international out of Saturday's trip to QPR, unless it proved serious enough to give the former Blackburn man no chance of being involved, Ferguson could well choose to offer vague assessments of Jones' likely recovery time, leaving Jose Mourinho guessing about his availability for Champions League duty on March 5.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Mr. Bush made it clear to the two sides that he would be involved to the extent they proved serious about making peace, and that the United States could not want a settlement more than they did.

The New York Times

In neonatal care the present use of empirical antibiotics has not allowed similar approach, as only about 2-42-4% all neonates receiving it, finally develop proven serious infections [ 2, 3].

BMC Pediatrics

Staying away from the guys in the off-season was hard, but it proved how serious I was about this.

The New York Times - Sports

Once Liz was out to become The Man, though, it proved a serious liability.

Huffington Post

However, if his condition proves serious, it could trigger instability – the threat of which could affect his treatment, especially if it involved surgery, he added.

The Guardian

Even if the AUC offer proves serious, it will be only one step towards curing Colombia's ills.

The Economist

"It is a precursor to the Defamation Act 2013, which will require all claimants to prove serious harm to their reputations.

The Guardian

Arsenal will be without England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has a knee injury which could prove serious.

Independent

Big corporations such as drugs companies would also have to prove serious financial harm before they could take action.

The Guardian

It's good to be reminded of a show that's been in everybody's nervous system for decades, but will the reminder prove serious or merely inconsequential?

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it proved serious" to indicate that something initially uncertain was later confirmed or demonstrated to have significant negative consequences or importance. It's most effective when highlighting a shift in understanding or a realization of severity.

Common error

Avoid using "it proved serious" when the severity of something was immediately apparent. This phrase works best when the seriousness emerges or is confirmed after a period of doubt or investigation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it proved serious" functions as a comment clause, adding an evaluative judgment to a situation or event. It conveys that something, initially uncertain, turned out to have significant consequences. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it proved serious" is a versatile expression used to denote that something initially uncertain eventually turned out to have grave consequences. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness. It commonly appears in News & Media and Science contexts. When writing, use "it proved serious" to emphasize a shift in understanding of severity and consider alternatives like "it turned out to be serious" for nuanced expression. Avoid using it when the severity was immediately obvious.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it turned out to be serious

Focuses on the eventual discovery of the severity.

it was found to be serious

Emphasizes the act of discovery or assessment.

it became clear that it was serious

Highlights the gradual understanding of the severity.

the situation proved grave

Uses a more formal and emphatic word ('grave') for 'serious'.

it was demonstrated to be serious

Stresses the demonstration or proof of the severity.

the matter proved critical

Substitutes 'serious' with 'critical', suggesting urgency.

it emerged as a serious issue

Focuses on the emergence or rise of the problem.

the injury proved to be significant

Replaces 'serious' with 'significant', focusing on the impact.

it ultimately proved serious

Adds an element of finality or long-term consequence.

the consequences proved severe

Shifts the focus to the severity of the consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "it proved serious" in a sentence?

Use "it proved serious" to describe a situation where the severity of something becomes evident over time, such as "The initial symptoms seemed mild, but it proved serious and required immediate hospitalization."

What are some alternatives to saying "it proved serious"?

You can use alternatives like "it turned out to be serious", "it was found to be serious", or "the situation proved grave depending on the context.

What's the difference between "it proved serious" and "it was serious"?

"It was serious" states a fact about the severity of something. "It proved serious" implies that the seriousness became apparent over time or after investigation. The first describes an existing condition; the second describes a discovery.

Is it always necessary to specify what "it" refers to when using "it proved serious"?

While not always grammatically required, clarifying what "it" refers to will enhance clarity. For example, instead of saying "It proved serious", consider "The infection proved serious".