severe decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "severe decision" is not commonly used in written English and may not convey the intended meaning clearly.
It could be used in contexts where a decision is particularly serious or has significant consequences, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "The board faced a severe decision regarding the future of the company, weighing the risks and benefits carefully."

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The sending-off of Milne that led to Celtic's third goal was a severe decision because Vennegoor of Hesselink could not be said to have been denied a clear scoring opportunity.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Taking a position of either the former or the latter perspective might lead to irresponsible conduct and severe decisions.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Yet, LPFC lesions do not appear to cause severe decision-making deficits, thus it remains unclear how reward representations in LPFC contribute to goal-directed behavior.

Behavioral Neuroscience

Logically, since its repercussions are more severe, the decision maker should hold primary risk to lower levels when compared to secondary risk.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

Also, the analysis used for assessing sensitivity in steady-state thermal hydraulics of research reactors provides a means of determining which design variables are of (a) dominant, (b) significant, and (c) minor importance in severe accident decision-making.

Progress in Nuclear Energy

Newspapers called the decision severe, and the defendant, a 40-year-old man from the northeastern region of Friuli, said, "I don't believe in justice anymore".

The New York Times

The manager took a chance in selecting Wayne Rooney, whose ankle ligament damage in Munich had seemed severe, but the decision might have been vindicated.

The Guardian - Sport

The failure to retain key talent through Palm's acquisition by H.P. may have been even more severe than the decision to rely on WebKit.

MIT Technology Review

"The sanctions seem very severe but no decision will be taken until the executive committee meets on Wednesday night".

BBC

To prevent new cases or more severe diseases, the decision was made to implement MRSA measures derived from those in use in many hospitals (6 ).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

With these severe impairments, difficult decisions need to be made within several days of hospitalization regarding the aggressiveness of treatment including the use of life sustaining measures.

BMC Palliative Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "severe decision", ensure the context clearly indicates a decision with significant negative implications or consequences. Consider stronger alternatives like "critical" or "tough" if the severity isn't the primary focus.

Common error

Avoid using "severe decision" when a simpler, more direct term like "serious decision" or "important decision" would suffice. Overusing "severe" can diminish its impact when describing truly critical choices.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "severe decision" functions as a noun phrase, where "severe" modifies the noun "decision". It characterizes the nature of the decision, highlighting its significance and potential negative consequences.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "severe decision" describes a choice with significant, often negative, consequences. While grammatically sound, Ludwig indicates it's not a particularly common phrase, suggesting alternatives like "critical decision" or "tough decision" might be more appropriate depending on the context. The phrase is most frequently found in news, scientific, and academic writing, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using "severe decision", ensure the context warrants the emphasis on harshness and potential negative outcomes. Ludwig AI highlights its limited usage, which is a crucial factor to consider when selecting the most fitting phrase for your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critical decision

Emphasizes the importance and potential impact of the decision.

serious decision

Highlights the gravity and potential consequences of the decision.

tough decision

Focuses on the difficulty and challenge involved in making the decision.

difficult decision

Stresses the complexity and potential negative outcomes associated with the decision.

momentous decision

Indicates that the decision is historically significant or will have far-reaching effects.

consequential decision

Highlights the significant and lasting consequences of the decision.

far-reaching decision

Emphasizes the widespread impact of the decision on various areas.

high-stakes decision

Focuses on the potential risks and rewards associated with the decision.

grave decision

Highlights the seriousness and potentially negative consequences of the decision.

pivotal decision

Indicates that the decision will significantly alter the course of events.

FAQs

What does "severe decision" mean?

A "severe decision" implies a choice with significant and often negative consequences. It suggests a situation where the stakes are high and the outcome can be harsh or difficult.

What can I say instead of "severe decision"?

You can use alternatives like "critical decision", "serious decision", or "tough decision", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "severe decision" grammatically correct?

Yes, "severe decision" is grammatically correct, but it may not be the most common or natural-sounding phrase in all contexts. Ludwig AI suggests that it's acceptable but recommends considering alternatives for clarity.

When is it appropriate to use "severe decision" over other alternatives?

Use "severe decision" when you want to emphasize the harshness, difficulty, or potentially negative outcomes associated with the decision. Consider alternatives like "important decision" if the severity isn't the primary focus.