serious

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "serious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an emotion, attitude, or intention. For example: "The teacher had a serious look on her face when she addressed the class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It is serious and unfortunate what happened but there is no ban on Jeremy being on the BBC.

The Guardian

North Korea's recent test-firing of a ballistic missile from a submarine was "very serious and concerning", South Korea said on Monday, with one defence official suggesting Pyongyang could have a fully operational platform in two or three years.

The Guardian

Can he be serious?

The Guardian - Film

I've come to learn through that process that any drink problem is a serious problem indeed".

The Guardian

Not just pressures on schools, housing and healthcare—though those have been serious... but social pressures too.

The Economist

Was he serious?

The Guardian - Sport

It's a serious hassle to shut down a bank account and transfer money to a new one, especially with direct deposit, automatic bill payments, and the like.

The Economist

While serious independent journalism remains nearly impossible in Iran, the bureau is able to provide original reporting through its extensive list of contacts both inside and outside the republic, and to bring the voices of ordinary people to an international audience.

The Guardian

She chastised the luckless philanthropist, complaining that he had disrupted the choir's performance and that he might have caused a serious situation, what with the stampeding shoppers and all.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Sony revelations raised serious questions about agents.

The Guardian - Film

I thought she was mad, but I clearly needed serious coaching, so Yvonne stood behind the stallholder and fed me my lines by mouthing at me.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an issue, using "serious" helps to immediately convey its importance and the need for careful consideration.

Common error

Avoid using "serious" to describe minor inconveniences; reserve it for situations with significant consequences or implications.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "serious" primarily functions to describe the degree or extent of something, emphasizing its importance, gravity, or potential consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its use across various contexts to denote significance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "serious" functions as an adjective to emphasize the importance, gravity, or potential consequences of something. Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's best reserved for situations with significant implications to avoid overuse. Related terms include "grave", "critical", and "severe", offering nuanced ways to convey a sense of importance. Using "serious" effectively ensures clarity and impact in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grave

Emphasizes the somber and potentially threatening nature of a situation.

critical

Highlights the importance of a situation, often implying a potential for negative outcomes.

severe

Indicates a high degree of intensity or harshness.

weighty

Suggests a situation is of considerable importance and consequence.

momentous

Implies a significant and potentially historical importance.

vital

Highlights that something is essential and necessary.

urgent

Conveys a sense of immediate need and pressing action.

significant

Indicates something is important and noteworthy.

considerable

Highlights something that is large or important enough to warrant attention.

profound

Emphasizes depth and far-reaching implications.

FAQs

How can I use "serious" in a sentence?

You can use "serious" to describe the severity of a situation, the importance of a topic, or the sincerity of a person. For instance, "This is a "serious matter" that requires immediate attention."

What are some synonyms for "serious"?

Alternatives to "serious" include "grave", "critical", and "severe". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "very important" or "serious"?

While both convey importance, "serious" often implies a potential for negative consequences or a need for careful consideration, whereas "very important" simply highlights significance.

When is it inappropriate to use the word "serious"?

Avoid using "serious" for trivial matters or when describing something that is merely inconvenient. Use it when the situation has significant implications or potential consequences.