sever the link

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sever the link" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of cutting off a connection or relationship, whether literal or metaphorical. Example: "In order to move forward, we must sever the link between past mistakes and our current decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Others, like Belgium, object to Berlin's call to sever the link between wages and inflation.

The New York Times

Chandler, Luke Yes, but Rev Tony must sever the link between his nose and the Daily Mail's posterior.

The Guardian

He would gradually phase out Medicare and Medicaid and "sever the link between employment and health insurance".

The New York Times

That perked markets up since it promised to sever the link between weak banks and weak sovereigns.

The Economist

At issue, according to Mr. Spitzer, is how the firm could change its operations to sever the link between investment banking and research.

The New York Times

But it will dramatically sever the link between federal officeholders and the raising of huge, unlimited sums from rich individuals, corporations and unions.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

The group was set up, in 2008, to sever the links between Taliban insurgents and their financing, much of which was believed to come from the drug trade.

The New Yorker

Suspended on a chain of maternity grandmothers, mothers, daughters, all flesh of one's own flesh the only thing is to sever the links and get out.

The New Yorker

But it can also sever the links between policy areas, and make it harder for countries to pursue all necessary reforms at once.

The Economist

The government would have to take control of Fannie and Freddie until the housing crisis passed, and then debate how best to sever the links between the government and the companies.

The New York Times

For example, if we were to weaken or sever the links to and from social feedback, we could examine a situation where there is little or no institutional development.

Journal of Economic Structures

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sever the link", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being disconnected. Specify both elements that were previously linked to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "sever the link" excessively in purely metaphorical situations where simpler phrases like "break the connection" would suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound overly dramatic or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sever the link" functions as a verb phrase, typically used transitively. It requires an object, indicating what connection is being broken. Ludwig's examples show it effectively depicts a decisive act of separation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sever the link" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of ending a connection or relationship. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, indicating a formal tone. Alternatives such as "break the connection" or "cut ties with" offer similar meanings but might carry slightly different connotations. To avoid ambiguity, clearly specify what is being disconnected. While its overuse in overly metaphorical contexts should be avoided, it remains a strong and effective way to describe a deliberate act of separation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

break the connection

Focuses on ending a direct relationship or association.

cut ties with

Implies a more deliberate and often formal ending of a relationship.

dissociate from

Suggests a formal separation, often to avoid being associated with something.

disrupt the connection

Emphasizes causing a breakdown or interruption in a connection.

terminate the relationship

A formal way to describe ending a relationship or agreement.

abolish the connection

Abolish is more firm than sever, implies a final ending of a connection.

end the alliance

Specifically refers to ending a partnership or alliance.

erase the link

Erase is a synonym of sever but has a more metaphorical use when the link does not exist in the first place.

void the relationship

Voiding the relationship is often related to legal concepts where the previous relationship is not valid anymore.

discontinue relations

Emphasizes stopping any form of interaction or communication.

FAQs

What does "sever the link" mean?

The phrase "sever the link" means to end a connection, relationship, or association between two or more things. It implies a decisive action to separate entities that were previously joined or related.

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

You can use "sever the link" to describe ending a business partnership, cutting off communication with someone, or disconnecting related ideas or concepts. For example: "The company decided to "cut ties with" its supplier to improve quality control".

What are some alternatives to "sever the link"?

Some alternatives to "sever the link" include "break the connection", "cut ties with", "disrupt the connection", or "terminate the relationship". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to use "sever the link" or "break the link"?

"Sever the link" and "break the link" are often interchangeable, but "sever" implies a more deliberate and forceful action. "Break the link" is generally more common in everyday language, while "sever the link" can sound more formal or decisive.