sever links with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sever links with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of cutting off connections or relationships with someone or something. Example: "The company decided to sever links with its former partner due to ongoing disagreements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Major companies, including Visa and MasterCard, sever links with the whistle-blowing website.

The Guardian

"However, it disappoints me to hear, that you are prepared to sever links with Klaksvík".

The Guardian

Nor do they set much store by a reported Haqqani-network promise to sever links with al-Qaeda.

The Economist

It requires the employer to sever links with the multiemployer industrywide agreements that have often prevailed previously.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He called on Christians to sever links with "foreign" churches and set up a Church of India.

The New York Times

Its poor showing in the first round had persuaded many in the League that the time had come to sever links with Mr Berlusconi's People of Freedom movement.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

He has severed links with the organisation.

Independent

I've severed links with The Independent on Saturday magazine after what seems like 106 weeks.

Independent

In response, Amazon has severed links with thousands of its affiliates in the state.

The New York Times

The company changed its name in 2013 after it severed links with the Bakries.

Independent

The statement added: "Recently Eric Abraham has severed links with the company's co-founders Mark Dornford-May and Pauline Malefane.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sever links with" when you want to emphasize a decisive and complete ending of a relationship or connection. It's suitable for formal contexts and implies a significant break.

Common error

Avoid using "sever links with" in very casual or informal settings. Alternatives like "cut ties" or "break up" might be more appropriate for everyday conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sever links with" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the action of ending or cutting off a connection. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts, from political relationships to business associations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sever links with" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the formal termination of a relationship or connection. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides examples from reputable news sources, encyclopedias and wikis, indicating its prevalence in neutral to formal contexts. While "cut ties with" might be more suitable for informal conversations, "sever links with" emphasizes a decisive and complete ending, often in a professional or political setting. Remember to use it when you want to clearly communicate a significant break.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cut ties with

Emphasizes ending a personal or emotional connection.

break off relations with

Implies a formal or diplomatic end to a relationship.

terminate relations with

Suggests a formal and complete ending of a connection.

dissociate from

Focuses on publicly distancing oneself from something.

end association with

Highlights the termination of a partnership or affiliation.

discontinue relations with

Focuses on ceasing an existing relationship.

rupture ties with

Implies a sudden and often contentious end to a relationship.

abandon connections to

Suggests a complete forsaking of all related ties.

withdraw from partnership with

Specifies the ending of a collaborative relationship.

forsake affiliations with

Focuses on rejecting formal associations or alliances.

FAQs

What does "sever links with" mean?

The phrase "sever links with" means to completely end a relationship, connection, or association with someone or something. It implies a decisive and often formal separation.

What can I say instead of "sever links with"?

You can use alternatives like "cut ties with", "break off relations with", or "dissociate from" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "sever links with" in casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "sever links with" is relatively formal. In casual conversation, phrases like "cut ties with" or "break up with" may be more appropriate.

Which is correct, "sever links with" or "sever ties with"?

Both "sever links with" and "sever ties with" are correct and have similar meanings. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey; "links" often refers to formal or structural connections, while "ties" can also refer to emotional bonds.