it seems severe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seems severe" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing an opinion or observation about something that appears to be harsh or intense. Example: "After reviewing the new policy changes, it seems severe to impose such strict penalties on minor infractions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It seems severe.

The New York Times

And while it seems severe and harsh, this means being very clear about boundaries of interaction after I am no longer the pastor.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The problem seems severe.

The Guardian

But a drop in sales of nearly 40% from the previous holiday quarter seems severe.

Forbes

"It doesn't seem severe," Piazza said.

The New York Times - Sports

We've got no idea how widescale this issue is, but it seems pretty severe; we counted a few dozen complaints when we searched for verification early this morning, and that wasn't too long after the update first went out.

TechCrunch

It seems that severe hypotension has a critical effect on the blood supply of bile ducts when it occurs together with additional microcirculatory disturbances.

Critical Care

It seems that severe disability is strongly linked to the last phase of life, whereas mild disability is not [ 27– 29], implying that an expansion of life expectancy increases life years spent with mild disability, but years spent with severe disability remain stable.

BMC Health Services Research

If it seems overly severe, talk to your doctor.

WikiHow

Taken together, it seems that both severe work-related stress and general non-specific stress can lead to an increased risk of severe injuries that require hospital treatment.

BMC Public Health

Damage to the building did not seem severe.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it seems severe" when you want to express your perception or assessment of a situation, decision, or action as being harsh or intense. Ensure the context supports this interpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "it seems severe" too frequently in your writing. Vary your language by employing synonyms or alternative expressions to maintain reader engagement and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems severe" functions as an evaluative expression, indicating a subjective assessment or perception of something being harsh or intense. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in expressing an opinion.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it seems severe" serves as an evaluative expression used to convey a subjective opinion about something appearing harsh or intense. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in English. While the phrase is versatile enough to appear in various contexts, its usage is more prevalent in news media and scientific publications than in formal business settings. When aiming for alternatives, consider options like "it appears harsh" or "it looks drastic" for similar but slightly varied nuances. Always ensure the context warrants an assessment of severity to maintain clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appears harsh

Focuses on the harshness of something as it appears to someone.

it looks drastic

Emphasizes the extreme nature of something based on its appearance.

it feels extreme

Highlights the intense sensation or feeling associated with something.

it comes across as stringent

Emphasizes a strict or rigorous impression made by something.

it seems extreme to me

It emphatizes that is only your personal opinion.

it presents as critical

Highlights the seriousness or importance implied in something's presentation.

it suggests harshness

Emphasizes that the situation or action gives off the idea of harshness.

it strikes me as excessive

Indicates an opinion that something is beyond what is necessary or reasonable.

it implies stringency

Implies that the situation or action contains elements of stringency.

it gives the impression of rigor

Emphasizes the strictness and precision that something conveys.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it seems severe" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "it appears harsh", "it presents as critical", or "it strikes me as excessive". These options offer a more sophisticated tone while conveying a similar meaning. See also: "it appears harsh", "it presents as critical", "it strikes me as excessive".

What are some less formal alternatives to "it seems severe"?

For less formal situations, you might use phrases such as "it looks drastic" or "it feels extreme". These options maintain the sense of something being intense but in a more casual manner. See also: "it looks drastic", "it feels extreme".

When is it appropriate to use "it seems severe" in writing?

Use "it seems severe" when you want to express your subjective assessment of something as being harsh, intense, or disproportionate. Ensure that your perspective is relevant and supported by the context.

Is "it seems severe" the same as "it is severe"?

No, "it seems severe" implies a subjective perception, whereas "it is severe" states a fact. The former suggests an opinion, while the latter claims an objective reality. Consider using "it suggests harshness".