seems severe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seems severe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation, condition, or reaction that appears to be harsh or intense. Example: "The weather forecast indicates that the storm seems severe, prompting officials to issue a warning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The problem seems severe.

The Guardian

It seems severe.

The New York Times

"We are privatising our industries and falling deeper under American influence". Even for a party that often tussles with the national government this seems severe.

The Guardian

But a drop in sales of nearly 40% from the previous holiday quarter seems severe.

Forbes

Others whose traumatic brain injury seems severe recover without lingering effect.

Los Angeles Times

And while it seems severe and harsh, this means being very clear about boundaries of interaction after I am no longer the pastor.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"It doesn't seem severe," Piazza said.

The New York Times - Sports

Damage to the building did not seem severe.

The New York Times

Several responses echoed one individual's sentiments: "[The assault] didn't seem severe enough".

The Guardian

Twelve months seemed severe compared with decisions handed down on charges that were much graver.

The New Yorker

Williams has an elegant briskness that can seem severe, high-handed, ruthless.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seems severe", ensure the context clearly indicates what "seems severe" refers to. For example, specify the condition, situation, or action that appears harsh or intense.

Common error

Avoid using "seems severe" when a more precise and descriptive adjective would better convey the specific nature of the intensity. For instance, instead of saying "the pain seems severe", consider specifying "the pain seems unbearable" or "excruciating" if those descriptions are more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems severe" functions as an evaluative expression, indicating a subjective assessment of the intensity or seriousness of a situation, condition, or action. Ludwig AI validates this phrase as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

25%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seems severe" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that indicates a perceived high degree of intensity or seriousness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's commonly found in news and media, science, and wiki contexts, and carries a neutral tone. When writing, ensure the context clearly identifies what "seems severe" is referring to and that a more specific adjective isn't more appropriate. While alternative phrases like "appears critical" or "looks serious" exist, "seems severe" offers a general assessment suitable for various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears critical

Replaces "severe" with "critical", suggesting a situation is at a crucial stage.

appears intense

Replaces "severe" with "intense", emphasizing the strength or degree of something.

looks serious

Uses "serious" instead of "severe", indicating a cause for concern.

sounds drastic

Emphasizes the extreme or sudden nature of something.

presents acutely

More formal, suitable for professional contexts, suggesting a sharp and intense presentation.

is quite harsh

Indicates a degree of severity, but with a slightly different connotation of unpleasantness.

is fairly acute

Replaces "severe" with "acute", focusing on the sharpness or intensity of the situation.

is rather grave

Uses "grave" instead of "severe", suggesting a serious or solemn situation.

is considerably stern

Indicates a strong or strict nature, replacing "severe" with "stern".

is exceptionally grim

Focuses on the bleak or depressing aspect, replacing "severe" with "grim".

FAQs

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

You can use "seems severe" to describe situations that appear to be harsh or intense. For example: "The damage to the building "did not seem severe"" or "The disease "seems disproportionately severe"."

What's a good alternative to "seems severe"?

Alternatives include "appears critical", "looks serious", or "is quite harsh depending" on the specific context.

Is it better to say "seems severe" or "is severe"?

Use "seems severe" when you are making an observation based on available evidence but are not certain about the actual severity. Use "is severe" when you have confirmed information about the situation's intensity.

How does the formality of "seems severe" compare to other phrases?

The phrase "seems severe" is relatively neutral in formality. More formal alternatives include "presents acutely", while less formal alternatives include "looks bad".