Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
severe competition
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
'severe competition' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to intense competition or rivalry between people or groups. For example: "The job market is tough, with severe competition for even the most basic positions."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Encyclopedias
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
55 human-written examples
Engineering and technology play an important role in strengthening the competitive power of a company and in surviving a severe competition in the world.
Science
It shows that whatever jobs appear in the town, there will be severe competition".
News & Media
There is often severe competition for nesting territories in large crowded colonies on small islands.
Encyclopedias
Retail sector survives in the face of severe competition caused especially by outshopping activity.
Despite the potentially severe competition, they host a very diverse array of species.
Science
On 13 August 1961, up it went, the ugliest symbol (with severe competition) of Communism.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
5 human-written examples
From the aspect of financial institutions, the Internet economy has introduced severe competitions to the financial industry.
Science
The financial service sector, which must be innovate to cut transaction costs due to severe competitions in today's globalized economy, is leading the way with blockchain-related business innovations.
Science
West Germany told the ministers of its five partners in the European Economic Community that it would no longer insist on being able to set minimum prices for agricultural imports to protect its farmers from too-severe competition.
News & Media
In China there is severe market competition, but competition mechanisms are not well developed.
Science
Greater relative growth rate, implying both better DM yield in the absence of severe weed competition and greater competitive ability under organic management, was inferred as the main reason for the consistency between managements for response of best-performing germplasm.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When describing a competitive environment, specify the area where "severe competition" exists to provide clarity. For example, "severe competition in the tech industry".
Common error
Avoid using multiple adjectives that amplify "severe", such as "very severe" or "extremely severe competition". "Severe" already implies a high degree of intensity.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "severe competition" functions as a noun phrase, where "severe" is an adjective modifying the noun "competition". It describes the nature or intensity of the competition, indicating it is particularly challenging or demanding. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.
Frequent in
Science
36%
News & Media
34%
Encyclopedias
7%
Less common in
Formal & Business
6%
Academia
4%
Wiki
1%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "severe competition" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe intense rivalry. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys a challenging competitive environment across diverse fields. It is most commonly found in scientific, news and media, and encyclopedia sources. While generally neutral, it's important to avoid redundant modifiers like "very severe". Alternatives such as "intense rivalry" or "cutthroat competition" can be used for nuanced expression. When writing about "severe competition", specificity about the area of competition is key for clarity.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
cutthroat competition
Replaces "severe" with a more vivid adjective implying ruthless behavior within the competitive environment.
intense rivalry
Replaces "competition" with "rivalry" emphasizing the antagonistic nature of the contest.
stiff competition
Uses "stiff" as a more understated alternative to "severe", while maintaining the sense of difficulty.
acute rivalry
Employs "acute" to denote a heightened and sharply felt sense of competition.
fierce contest
Substitutes both "severe" and "competition" with synonyms suggesting a very aggressive and determined struggle.
strong competitive pressures
Emphasizes the force of the competition by using "strong" to describe the pressures.
extreme competitiveness
Nominalizes the phrase focusing on the characteristic of competitiveness.
vigorous contention
Employs more formal language replacing "competition" with "contention" and "severe" with "vigorous".
intense market pressure
Shifts the focus from a general competition to specific economic pressures.
challenging market conditions
Focuses on the state of the market as difficult due to high competition.
FAQs
What does "severe competition" mean?
The phrase "severe competition" refers to a situation where there is intense rivalry or struggle for resources, opportunities, or market share. It implies that the competitive environment is challenging and demanding.
How can I use "severe competition" in a sentence?
You can use "severe competition" to describe various scenarios. For example: "Due to "intense market pressure", many businesses are struggling to survive" or "There is "cutthroat competition" for jobs in the film industry."
What are some alternatives to "severe competition"?
Alternatives to "severe competition" include "fierce contest", "intense rivalry", "cutthroat competition", and "stiff competition", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.
Is it redundant to say "very severe competition"?
Yes, using "very" before "severe competition" can be redundant. The word "severe" already implies a high degree of intensity, so adding "very" doesn't significantly enhance the meaning and can make the phrase sound repetitive. Opt for alternatives like "intense rivalry" for varied expression.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested