sever ties with

USAGE SUMMARY

"sever ties with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of ending a relationship of some kind, especially one that involves connections or strong emotions. Example: "After a long and difficult debate, the board of directors finally decided to sever ties with the company's longtime CEO."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The Obama administration has condemned WikiLeaks, and the leaked State Department cables led several major companies to sever ties with it late last year.

The New York Times

However, Peverel didn't sever ties with Tchenguiz completely.

The Guardian - Money

Republicans want to sever ties with Fannie and Freddie once the crisis abates.

The New York Times

Better to sever ties with the SOB as quickly as possible.

The Economist

He called on Sunni lawmakers to sever ties with Mr. Hashimi.

The New York Times

And at that point, she chose to sever ties with her father.

The New York Times - Magazine

P11 Argentina may sever ties with BBC after Top Gear row.

The Guardian

Andersen Consulting's partners voted unanimously in December 1997 to sever ties with Arthur Andersen.

The New York Times

The choir's board supported Dr. Turnbull, threatening to sever ties with the school, if necessary.

The New York Times

The decision to sever ties with M/A-COM is expected to prompt a legal battle.

The New York Times

Or should Rovers sever ties with their new manager before their fate becomes irreversible?

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sever ties with", consider the emotional weight of the phrase. It implies a significant decision and can be perceived as quite final.

Common error

Avoid using "sever ties with" in very casual or informal situations. Alternatives like "break up with" or "stop talking to" might be more appropriate for personal relationships or less formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sever ties with" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a predicate to describe the act of ending a relationship or connection. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts, such as business, politics, and personal relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sever ties with" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the ending of a relationship or connection, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it carries a neutral to formal tone, indicating a deliberate and often significant decision. While "cut ties with" is a similar alternative, "sever ties with" suggests a more decisive and complete break. When writing, remember that although is perfectly correct, its impact can be softened by using similar terms. For instance, depending on context, you may use "break off relations with" or "end association with".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

break off relations with

Implies a formal ending of diplomatic or other official connections.

cut all contact with

Emphasizes a complete cessation of communication or interaction.

end association with

Highlights the termination of a professional or voluntary connection.

terminate the relationship with

A more formal way to express ending a relationship.

dissolve connections with

Suggests a gradual fading away of links or associations.

discontinue dealings with

Focuses on ceasing business or transactional interactions.

withdraw support from

Highlights the removal of endorsement or assistance.

distance oneself from

Suggests creating emotional or physical separation.

disavow any connection to

Formally deny any existing or past associations.

abandon all allegiance to

Implies a complete rejection of loyalty or commitment.

FAQs

How to use "sever ties with" in a sentence?

You can use "sever ties with" to describe ending a formal or significant relationship. For example, "The company decided to "sever ties with" its supplier after discovering unethical practices."

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

You can use alternatives like "break off relations with", "cut all contact with", or "end association with" depending on the context.

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

"Sever ties with" is the correct phrase. "Severe" means harsh or strict, while "sever" means to cut off or separate.

What's the difference between "sever ties with" and "cut ties with"?

Both phrases mean to end a relationship, but ""sever ties with"" often implies a more formal, decisive, and complete ending than "cut ties with".