rather severe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather severe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is quite serious or harsh in nature, often in relation to a situation, condition, or response. Example: "The weather conditions were rather severe, leading to numerous flight cancellations and road closures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm afraid I made her rather severe".

The New Yorker

12 20 PM: Pain in hips rather severe.

The New Yorker

However, they suffer from some rather severe limitations.

Expert Systems with Applications

And closing the bar seemed like a rather severe solution".

The New York Times

Unfortunately it seems that a rather severe cold has hit many folks at Cornell.

Cornell University

She came off as rather severe, they said; at meetings, she sat rigidly and rarely spoke.

The New York Times

Chelton, with her beak nose and rather severe features, mostly played characters older than herself.

The Guardian - Film

Multiplicity for the chosen model reaction will only occur under rather severe conditions.

Chemical Engineering Science

I was halfway through my two-year apprenticeship to a rather severe English potter.

The Guardian

While the architecture works with Lanzarote's rather severe landscape, the interiors are all about Manrique.

The Guardian - Travel

Here, the black leather covering the "stuff over" seats was more acceptable, if rather severe.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing consequences or conditions, use "rather severe" to convey a notable level of intensity or negativity. For example, "The penalties for the violation were rather severe."

Common error

Avoid using "rather severe" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "pretty bad" or "quite serious" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather severe" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase, intensifying the adjective "severe". According to Ludwig, it's used to describe the degree or extent of something that is harsh or serious. It emphasizes the considerable impact or intensity of the noun it modifies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

12%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rather severe" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe something that is quite serious or harsh. According to Ludwig AI, it functions as an adjective phrase, intensifying the meaning of "severe". It is most frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Academia contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to formal registers. When writing, consider using "rather severe" to add emphasis, but avoid overuse in casual contexts. Alternatives include "quite serious" and "fairly harsh".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite serious

Focuses on the significant or critical nature of something, similar to "rather severe".

pretty bad

Indicates a negative condition or situation, mirroring the negativity in "rather severe".

fairly harsh

Emphasizes the strictness or unpleasantness, akin to the intensity implied by "rather severe".

somewhat critical

Suggests a level of seriousness or importance, similar to the impact of "rather severe".

decidedly acute

Highlights the sharpness or intensity, aligning with the severity in "rather severe".

moderately grave

Implies a serious or significant nature, comparable to the weight of "rather severe".

distinctly austere

Focuses on the stern or strict aspect, sharing a sense of intensity with "rather severe".

markedly rigorous

Emphasizes the demanding or strict quality, like the high standard implied by "rather severe".

noticeably stern

Highlights a strict or serious nature, close to the tone conveyed by "rather severe".

significantly intense

Indicates a high degree of strength or emotion, mirroring the high impact in "rather severe".

FAQs

How can I use "rather severe" in a sentence?

Use "rather severe" to describe situations, conditions, or consequences that are notably serious or harsh. For instance, "The storm caused "rather severe damage" to the coastal areas".

What can I say instead of "rather severe"?

You can use alternatives like "quite serious", "fairly harsh", or "pretty bad" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "rather severe" or "very severe"?

Both "rather severe" and "very severe" are grammatically correct, but "very severe" implies a higher degree of intensity. "Rather severe" suggests something is serious but not necessarily at the highest level of severity.

Is it appropriate to use "rather severe" in formal writing?

Yes, "rather severe" is suitable for formal writing, especially when you want to convey a significant but not extreme level of seriousness or intensity. It is commonly found in news reports, academic papers, and professional documents.