severe argument

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "severe argument" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a heated debate or discussion that is especially intense or animated. For example, you could say, "The two candidates had a severe argument over their differing views on immigration."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wikipedia

The New Yorker

The New York Times - Magazine

Earth, Planets and Space

Critical Care

The New York Times

Vice

The Guardian

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

On Friday, 10 January, a more severe argument took place in which Harrison berated Lennon for contributing nothing positive to the rehearsals.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Before the 1988 referendum, Camilo went to all the demonstrations in favor of the "No" vote, and that led to severe arguments.

The New Yorker

This caused severe arguments between the canons of Wells and the monks of Bath until 1245 when the bishopric was renamed as the Diocese of Bath and Wells, to be elected by both religious houses.

Wikipedia

In the '50s, the best-selling novel "The Bad Seed," which later became a Broadway play and then a movie, made the argument that severe behavioral problems in children were attributable to genetic bad luck rather than parental ineptitude.

The New York Times - Magazine

To demonstrate our argument that severe thunderstorms normally occur at this place at late night hours, we have plotted diurnal variation of lightning activity during pre-monsoon months of 2011 to 2013 over 1° × 1° grid with Guwahati as center obtained from World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN) in Figure 5.

Earth, Planets and Space

See Tables 1 and 2. Our high POI rate of 40% coupled with long rescue times and the occasional severe injuries supports the argument for winching doctors.

Critical Care

An even more severe problem in Metaxas's argument is the assumption of randomness, namely that physical processes do not naturally drive a system toward a certain state.

The New Yorker

His early reputation as the best of Greek orators rests on his steadfastness of purpose, his sincerity, his clear and pungent argument, and his severe control of language.

Harvard University

My father, a criminal-defense lawyer with socialist leanings, a man Mitt Romney might have called a "severe" liberal, raised us on argument, and after-dinner discussions were never as lively as when Joseph, contrary and conservative, dug in.

The New York Times - Magazine

In other words, any argument for the severe economic constraint represented by a balanced budget amendment is ultimately a moral one.

Huffington Post

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Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "severe argument" when you want to emphasize the intensity and seriousness of a disagreement. Consider the context to ensure the severity aligns with the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "severe argument" in casual conversation. Opt for a less formal alternative like "big disagreement" or "heated discussion" when the situation doesn't warrant a strong emphasis on severity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "severe argument" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'severe' modifies the noun 'argument', emphasizing its intensity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the usage is correct and the example is sourced from reliable sources.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "severe argument" is a grammatically sound and semantically rich expression used to describe a disagreement of significant intensity. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is correct and applicable across various contexts, although it is more commonly found in neutral and formal settings such as news and academic writing. Alternatives like "intense dispute" or "heated debate" can be considered to adjust the tone or emphasis. While the frequency is relatively low, the phrase is suitable when the gravity and seriousness of the disagreement need to be highlighted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intense dispute

Focuses on the intensity of the disagreement, similar to "severe argument".

heated debate

Emphasizes the emotional and energetic nature of the discussion.

fierce disagreement

Highlights the strong opposition and potential animosity.

acrimonious quarrel

Suggests a bitter and hostile exchange.

bitter conflict

Indicates a deep-seated and potentially long-lasting disagreement.

major contention

Focuses on the significant point of disagreement.

serious altercation

Implies a more confrontational and potentially physical dispute.

sharp disagreement

Emphasizes the clarity and intensity of the opposing viewpoints.

vigorous debate

Highlights the energy and thoroughness of the discussion, though not necessarily negative.

contentious discussion

Focuses on the likely presence of disagreement or argument.

FAQs

What does "severe argument" mean?

A "severe argument" refers to a disagreement or dispute that is intense, serious, and potentially contentious. It implies a strong level of disagreement and emotional involvement.

Are there synonyms for "severe argument"?

Yes, some synonyms include "intense dispute", "heated debate", or "fierce disagreement". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "severe argument" a formal or informal expression?

"Severe argument" is relatively formal. In informal contexts, consider using phrases like "big fight" or "major disagreement".

How can I use "severe argument" in a sentence?

You could say, "The policy change led to a "severe argument" between the board members" or "Their differing political views often sparked "severe arguments"." Remember to adjust the tone to suit the context.