much more grievous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "much more grievous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the severity or seriousness of a situation or issue compared to another. Example: "The consequences of ignoring climate change are much more grievous than we can imagine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In answering voter outrage about executive pay, Congress should recall the words of Marcus Aurelius: "How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The original Rambo-ish tale of her fighting until she ran out of ammunition despite grievous battle wounds has dissolved into a much more opaque narrative, where the only points of clarity are that she was first captured by Iraqis and then rescued by Americans.

The Economist

The most grievous historical misrepresentation here, therefore, is that we are so much more willing to acknowledge the indigenous past of North America, rather than the indigenous present.

The Guardian - Opinion

The third is more grievous yet, but also triumphant.

The New York Times - Books

Of course, one could say as much about, oh, love and death and other experiences of the greatest gravity, and the banalization of violence through endless and numbingly ordinary cinematic depictions is a more grievous and endemic societal ill.

The New Yorker

It was made more grievous given that they closed the tweet with a judgemental: "Others may forget but we remember".

Independent

It is much, much more.

The New York Times

The young Casanova is much more appealing than the middle-aged roué, although, as Ms. Summers rightly notes, either version would win the well-deserved attention of law enforcement today and quite likely a prison term for "breach of promise, incest, fraud, paedophilia, grievous bodily harm and rape".

The New York Times - Books

Recently some far more grievous insults to the dead have been reported in an apparent epidemic of desecrations.

The New York Times

The failure of "Collateral Beauty" is all the more grievous for the waste of its superb actors.

The New Yorker

He was more, much more".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "much more grievous" to add emphasis when comparing the severity of two negative situations. It is particularly effective in formal writing or when discussing consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "much more grievous" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "much worse" or "far more serious" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much more grievous" functions as a degree modifier intensifying the adjective "grievous". It emphasizes a significantly higher level of severity or seriousness. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "much more grievous" is a grammatically sound construction used to amplify the severity of a situation. According to Ludwig, it's most appropriate in formal writing, particularly within news and media contexts. While accurate, it's relatively infrequent and may sound overly formal in casual settings. Consider alternatives like "far more serious" or "significantly worse" for broader applicability. Avoiding overuse in informal contexts will ensure its impact is preserved for when emphasis is truly needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerably more serious

Emphasizes a notable increase in the seriousness of something.

significantly more severe

Highlights a substantial increase in the severity of something.

substantially more damaging

Focuses on a considerable increase in the damaging effects of something.

markedly more critical

Indicates a clear and noticeable increase in the criticality of something.

appreciably more harmful

Stresses a noticeable increase in the harmfulness of something.

far more acute

Suggests a heightened intensity or sharpness of a negative situation.

noticeably more painful

Highlights a clear increase in the painfulness of something.

considerably worse

A more general alternative that indicates a significant decline in quality or condition.

substantially worse

Another general alternative indicating a considerable decline.

significantly worse

Yet another general alternative emphasizing a notable decline.

FAQs

What does "much more grievous" mean?

The phrase "much more grievous" means significantly more severe, serious, or painful. It's used to emphasize that something is considerably worse than something else.

When should I use "much more grievous" in writing?

Use "much more grievous" in formal writing when you want to strongly emphasize the increased severity or seriousness of a situation, especially when comparing it to another. It's suitable for academic, professional, or news contexts.

What are some alternatives to "much more grievous"?

You can use alternatives like "considerably more serious", "significantly more severe", or "substantially more damaging" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "much more grievous" too formal for everyday conversation?

Yes, "much more grievous" is generally too formal for everyday conversation. Simpler and more common alternatives like "much worse" or "far more serious" are usually more appropriate.