it was so severe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was so severe" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation, event, or condition that was extremely serious or intense. Example: "The storm was so severe that it caused widespread damage across the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

I was surprised that it was so severe".

The New York Times - Magazine

He felt as if he was losing his mind until doctors diagnosed PTSD; it was so severe that even today Woods is twitchy and restless.

The Guardian

Yet it was so severe that some people in the region concluded that the I.M.F. and the American government had set out deliberately to weaken a potential economic rival.

The New Yorker

The recession that accompanied it was so severe that it helped nudge Australia's six states, at the time separate British colonies, into uniting as a federation, or commonwealth, as Australians tend to call it.Water politicsNegotiations over the federal constitution almost foundered on the subject of the Murray-Darling.

The Economist

It was so severe that his head was measuring three weeks ahead of schedule.

Huffington Post

It was so severe that Tennessee declared a state of emergency Nov. 10, over two weeks before the Gatlinburg fires.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"But it's so severe, like an army haircut".

The Guardian - Music

"Because it's so severe, if you see cheating, and I have, you're reluctant to report it, so we end up resorting to these spy systems.

The New York Times

Under the Supreme Court's precedents, sexual harassment is actionable only if it is "so severe and pervasive as to alter the conditions of employment and create an abusive working environment," as the court phrased it in a 1998 decision.

The New York Times

It's so severe right now that it's hurting demand by prompting consumers to buy less or seek out cheaper food outlets.

Forbes

Chen et al. [ 38] also found that truncation can only have a sizeable impact when it is so severe that it affects the left side of the patient.

European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was so severe" to clearly and concisely emphasize the intensity or seriousness of a situation, condition, or event. Ensure the context provides sufficient information about what "it" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "it was so severe" without specifying what 'it' refers to. Always provide context to ensure clarity and prevent ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "the problem was so severe", specify "the drought was so severe".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was so severe" functions as a descriptive expression, emphasizing the intensity or seriousness of a previously mentioned situation, event, or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is acceptable and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

36%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was so severe" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to emphasize the intensity or seriousness of something. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is acceptable. While it's not exceptionally frequent, it appears commonly in news, science, and wiki sources. When using the phrase, ensure that the context is clear, and the 'it' is well-defined to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like ""it was extremely serious"" or ""the situation was dire"" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was extremely serious

Replaces "so severe" with "extremely serious", emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

it was intensely bad

Substitutes "severe" with "intensely bad", highlighting the negative impact.

it was terribly critical

Emphasizes the critical nature of the situation by using "terribly critical".

it was exceptionally grave

Replaces "so severe" with "exceptionally grave", suggesting a very serious and concerning situation.

it was devastatingly harsh

Uses "devastatingly harsh" to describe the intensity of the situation.

it was incredibly acute

Highlights the sharpness and intensity of the situation using "incredibly acute".

it was frighteningly intense

Focuses on the frightening aspect of the intensity.

the impact was devastating

Shifts the focus to the devastating impact, implying severity.

the situation was dire

Conveys the severity by describing the situation as dire.

it reached crisis levels

Emphasizes that the situation escalated to a crisis.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was so severe" to describe the intensity or seriousness of a situation, condition, or event. For example, "The storm was so severe that it caused widespread flooding."

What are some alternatives to "it was so severe"?

Some alternatives include "it was extremely serious", "it was intensely bad", or "the situation was dire" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "it was so severe"?

Yes, "it was so severe" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to emphasize the intensity or seriousness of something.

What does "it was so severe" imply?

The phrase implies that something reached a high degree of intensity, seriousness, or negativity. It suggests that the situation had significant and potentially damaging consequences.