it was severe for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was severe for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the intensity or seriousness of a situation or condition that affected someone or something. Example: "The storm was so intense that it was severe for the coastal communities, causing widespread damage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"At the time it was severe for what I was doing, but it doesn't compare to what happens now," Mr. Jarrah said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It was severe enough for her to have to stay home from school.

Huffington Post

If Ghomeshi agrees the choking happened, but says it was consensual, it's possible the court might ask the question of whether it was severe enough for DeCoutere to be able to consent in the first place.

Vice

Regarding the degree of severity of complaints, for 48.9% it was moderate, for 26.2% it was slight, for 19.1% it was severe, and 3.6% of the women reported very severe complaints.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Some of this was because the recession of 1980 was extremely unusual: it was severe but also brief, ultimately persisting for only six months.

The New York Times

Lavish banquet toasts are made with this blackmarket brew, which can be obtained inside China, although penalties for selling it are severe.

Huffington Post

I don't know what he said to the referee but it must have been severe for him to sin-bin him.

BBC

Black said "there is absolutely no evidence that the state of Ohio or its citizens will be harmed" by his ruling but that without it, the harm would be severe for two men who filed the lawsuit because it would strip them of the dignity and recognition given to opposite-sex couples.

The Guardian

"The publicity's been severe for her".

The New York Times

The repercussions down the road could be severe for him".

The New York Times - Sports

"We can get individual schools to restrain expenditures, but the competitive pressures are so severe that it's hard for any individual school to unilaterally restrain spending," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was severe for", ensure that the subject and object are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "It was severe for the project", specify what aspect of the project was affected: "The budget cuts were severe for the project's timeline."

Common error

Avoid using "it was severe for" in casual conversation, as it can sound overly formal or dramatic. Opt for simpler alternatives like "it was really tough on" or "it hit them hard" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was severe for" functions as a descriptive expression, indicating that a particular situation, action, or event had a significant or intense negative impact on someone or something. As shown by Ludwig, it establishes a cause-and-effect relationship, highlighting the gravity of the consequences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was severe for" is used to describe the intensity and seriousness of a negative impact on someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability, highlighting that its grammatical structure is sound and it is frequently encountered in diverse contexts, especially in news, scientific, and general information sources. When employing this phrase, clarity is key—ensure the affected subject and object are well-defined, and consider the formality of the context to determine if simpler alternatives might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it had serious consequences for

Focuses on the results or outcomes, emphasizing the impact.

it created significant hardship for

Highlights the difficulties and struggles resulting from the situation.

it posed a grave threat to

Emphasizes the danger or risk involved.

it caused considerable damage to

Focuses on the physical or emotional harm inflicted.

it was extremely detrimental to

Highlights the harmful effects and negative consequences.

it proved highly damaging to

Similar to detrimental, but with an emphasis on the act of causing damage.

it was deeply impactful on

Highlights the breadth and depth of the negative repercussions.

it had a devastating effect on

Emphasizes the overwhelming and ruinous nature of the consequences.

it was intensely challenging for

Highlights the difficulties in facing some situation.

it presented a formidable obstacle to

Focuses on how hard was to overcome the circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "it was severe for" in a sentence?

Use "it was severe for" to describe the intensity or seriousness of a situation or condition that negatively affected someone or something. For instance, "The penalties were severe for violating the agreement."

What can I say instead of "it was severe for"?

You can use alternatives like "it had serious consequences for", "it created significant hardship for", or "it posed a grave threat to", depending on the context.

Is "it was severe for" formal or informal?

"It was severe for" is generally considered neutral to formal. In informal settings, you might prefer alternatives like "it was really tough on" or "it hit them hard."

What makes "it was severe for" different from "it was difficult for"?

"It was severe for" implies a higher degree of intensity or negative impact than "it was difficult for". "Difficult" suggests a challenge, while "severe" indicates serious consequences or harm.