severe disruption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "severe disruption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or serious interruption in a process, system, or situation. Example: "The severe disruption caused by the storm led to widespread power outages and transportation delays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mikaela sought the diagnosis herself when she was 18, after severe disruption at school.

The Guardian

Train operator Scotrail has warned of severe disruption in the regions of Strathclyde and Ayrshire.

The Guardian

How many Americans have given their lives or suffered severe disruption of their lives by service in Iraq or Afghanistan?

The New York Times

A talk on the Middle East featuring Israel's deputy ambassador to Britain was abandoned due to severe disruption from protesters.

The Guardian - Opinion

At best, McIlroy has only suffered severe disruption of his Open preparations and will still take to the Fife links.

The Guardian - Sport

In previous episodes of severe disruption, the backlog can clear more quickly than you might imagine.

Independent

Severe disruption is also expected on the transport networks and the roads.

Independent

Seafood and other industries were badly affected, and local residents experienced severe disruption and stress.

The New York Times

Victoria line services faced severe disruption during the incident as police searched the area.

Independent

The Saudis are the only ones with enough spare oil-field capacity to call on if there is a severe disruption elsewhere.

The New York Times

Behind the red-top plot of a partner sliding across the England defence like Jabulani, the official World Cup ball, is severe disruption to England's preparations.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "severe disruption", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being disrupted and the consequences of the disruption. Being specific enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "severe disruption" if the interruption is only minor or temporary. Using a less emphatic phrase will maintain credibility and avoid exaggeration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "severe disruption" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "severe" modifies the noun "disruption". It is commonly used to describe situations where there is a significant negative impact on normal operations or activities, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "severe disruption" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe significant interruptions or disturbances. As evidenced by Ludwig, its usage spans across various contexts, particularly in news and media and science, and it conveys a serious and impactful event. While it is appropriate for many situations, it is crucial to ensure that the disruption truly warrants the descriptor "severe" to avoid overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

major disturbance

Focuses more on the interruption's impact rather than its intensity.

significant interruption

Highlights the break in continuity, potentially less intense than "severe disruption".

substantial disturbance

Emphasizes the amount or degree of the disruption.

critical disturbance

Indicates the disruption has reached a point where it's now a critical issue.

extreme upheaval

Suggests a more dramatic and transformative kind of disruption.

intense disorder

Shifts the focus to the lack of order caused by the disruption.

profound disturbance

Implies a deeply impactful and far-reaching disruption.

grave interruption

Conveys a more serious and potentially dangerous disruption.

drastic perturbation

Highlights a sudden and significant alteration or change.

acute derangement

Suggests a sudden and severe disorganization or impairment.

FAQs

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

You can use "severe disruption" to describe major interruptions to systems, processes, or events. For instance, "The snowstorm caused "severe disruption" to public transportation".

What are some alternatives to "severe disruption"?

Alternatives include "major disturbance", "significant interruption", or "substantial disturbance" depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "severe disruption" or "major inconvenience"?

"Severe disruption" is used for significant interruptions causing widespread problems, whereas "major inconvenience" refers to something causing trouble or difficulty but on a smaller scale.

What distinguishes "severe disruption" from "minor delay"?

"Severe disruption" implies a major and impactful interruption, while "minor delay" suggests a brief and relatively insignificant postponement.