sever the connection

USAGE SUMMARY

"sever the connection" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to cut or break a connection, usually in a physical or metaphorical sense. Example: The company decided to sever the connection with their unreliable supplier and find a new one.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

The main aim for policymakers must be to sever the connection between the two.

The Economist

Increasingly, Miskiw would go direct to Mulcaire and when Miskiw and Boyall fell out in late 2001, Miskiw was reluctant to sever the connection.

Independent

The United States should now try to "sever the connection between Islamism and individualized local contexts for political violence, and then address them separately".

The New Yorker

A more efficient solution — one typical of nearly every other developed country — is to sever the connection between school finance and local property tax.

The New York Times

Ironically, the man who finally appeared to sever the connection between the two parties ended up eventually as a frontbench Tory peer at Westminster - David, now Lord, Trimble.

The Guardian

The effect is to sever the connection, which has existed since the workhouse, between the number of mouths to feed and the support provided.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

In June a French government plan to sever the connections of persistent pirates was struck down by that country's Constitutional Council.

The Economist

He said that "we cannot sever the connections that have enabled so much progress" but cautioned that it was leading to increasing inequality around the world.

The Guardian

Supporters of the law say it was intended to sever the connections between unlimited contributions and federal office holders and political parties.

The New York Times

While eradication requires abrupt interventions to break the cycle of transmission, sustained just long enough for the parasite to die out, learning to live with malaria means working to permanently sever the connections between mosquitoes and humans.

The New York Times

N.Y.U. is especially eager to sever the connections between them, analysts and hospital officials say, and might consider unconventional steps, like paying off a significant part of its debt early, to enable a refinancing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sever the connection" when you want to emphasize a complete and intentional end to a relationship or link, whether it's physical or abstract. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is being disconnected from what.

Common error

Avoid using "sever the connection" when a weaker term like 'break' or 'interrupt' would suffice. "Sever" implies a more forceful and complete separation, so ensure your word choice aligns with the intended degree of disconnection.

Linguistic Context

"Sever the connection" functions as a verb phrase that describes the act of ending or breaking a relationship, link, or association. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It implies a deliberate and complete separation, seen in examples ranging from business relationships to emotional bonds.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sever the connection" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that conveys the act of completely ending a relationship or link. According to Ludwig, the expression is appropriate for various writing styles, and as exemplified across various platforms such as news and media to scientific research, the phrase is widely applicable. When aiming for clarity and emphasis in expressing a deliberate separation, "sever the connection" stands as a robust and accurate choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disconnect entirely

Highlights a complete and absolute separation.

disrupt the link

Highlights the interruption or disturbance of an established link.

rupture ties

Suggests a forceful and sudden breaking of bonds.

break off relations

Focuses on ending a formal relationship or association.

end association

Implies a formal termination of a partnership or connection.

dissolve the bond

Focuses on the disintegration of an emotional or symbolic connection.

cut off communication

Emphasizes stopping the exchange of information or contact.

terminate contact

Indicates a complete stop to any form of interaction.

dissociate from

Stresses a deliberate separation or detachment from something.

detach oneself

Emphasizes personal withdrawal from a situation or relationship.

FAQs

How can I use "sever the connection" in a sentence?

You can use "sever the connection" to describe ending relationships, cutting off communication, or disrupting a link. For example, "The company decided to "sever the connection" with their supplier."

What is a good alternative to "sever the connection"?

Alternatives include "break off relations", "cut off communication", or "disrupt the link". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "sever the connection"?

Use "sever the connection" when you want to convey a complete and intentional ending of a bond or link. It's appropriate when the separation is significant and deliberate.

Is "sever the connection" formal or informal?

The phrase is relatively neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it leans slightly towards formal due to the intensity of the verb "sever".