not as severe as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not as severe as" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare the intensity or seriousness of two situations, indicating that one is less intense than the other. Example: "The storm last night was not as severe as the one we experienced last month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sports

Health

General Discussion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It was not as severe as we feared".

The New York Times

Richter said his current symptoms were not as severe as those last season.

The New York Times - Sports

The second one was not as severe as the first one".

The New York Times

As with most debates about child safety, the risks are not as severe as many imagine.

The New York Times

The destruction, while not as severe as many had feared, appeared to have overwhelmingly struck homes.

The New York Times

At first, Morneau said his symptoms were not as severe as in 2005.

The New York Times - Sports

(Damage from Hurricane Sandy was "not as severe as first feared," Amtrak said).

The New York Times

He did a lot of time in prison for something not as severe as it's been made out to be".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The weather was still not as severe as in 1998, when six sailors perished in the race.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Speaker's tuberculosis was not as severe as originally thought, and he responded well to antibiotic therapy.

The New York Times - Health

Clearly, there are limits to exploration and development, but they are not as severe as has often been thought.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two events or situations, use "not as severe as" to clearly indicate that one is less serious than the other. This helps to provide context and perspective, preventing misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "not as severe as" when there's no clear point of comparison. Always ensure that the reference point is explicitly stated or easily understood from the context; otherwise, the statement may lack meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not as severe as" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to indicate that something is of a lesser degree of intensity or seriousness compared to something else. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples of comparative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Reference

10%

Social Media

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not as severe as" is a versatile comparative phrase used to indicate that something is less intense or serious than something else. As confirmed by Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, and it enjoys very common usage across various contexts, including news, science, and formal communication. When using this phrase, ensure a clear point of comparison to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "less intense than" or ""not nearly as serious as"" can offer stylistic variations. The phrase serves the purpose of mitigating concerns or providing reassurance, making it a valuable tool for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not nearly as serious as

Specifically addresses the level of seriousness.

less intense than

Focuses on the degree of intensity rather than severity.

less critical than

Indicates a reduced level of criticality or importance.

milder compared to

Emphasizes the gentler or less harsh nature of something.

not so extreme as

Highlights the lack of extremity or excess.

not as acute as

Highlights the difference in acuteness or sharpness.

not quite as bad as

Uses more informal language to convey a similar meaning.

subdued in contrast to

Implies a lower level of activity or expression.

paler in comparison to

Focuses on the relative lack of color or intensity.

inferior in magnitude to

Uses more formal language to indicate a smaller size or extent.

FAQs

How can I use "not as severe as" in a sentence?

Use "not as severe as" to compare the intensity or seriousness of two things, showing that one is less intense than the other. For example: "The injury was "not as severe as" initially feared."

What's a more formal way to say "not as severe as"?

More formal alternatives include "less critical than" or "inferior in magnitude to", depending on the specific context. These options provide a more elevated tone while maintaining a similar meaning.

What words are similar to "not as severe as"?

Synonyms and similar phrases include "less intense than", "milder compared to", or "not nearly as serious as". Choose the option that best fits the tone and context of your writing.

Is it always necessary to state what something is "not as severe as"?

For clarity, it's best to specify the point of comparison. Omitting it can lead to ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "The storm was not as severe", specify "The storm was "not as severe as" last year's hurricane".