severe enough that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "severe enough that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a level of severity that leads to a specific consequence or situation. Example: "The weather conditions were severe enough that the event had to be canceled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Nevertheless, the breakthrough was severe enough that the Eighth Army considered pulling back for several days, eventually deciding to stand its ground.

Wikipedia

Mr. Wood's mental problems were severe enough that one jury found him incompetent to stand trial.

The New York Times

In about 15 cases, the violations were severe enough that the agency forced the establishment to sell its liquor license.

The New York Times

The harassment "became severe enough that the FBI relocated Monsegur and certain of his family members," they said.

The Guardian - Tech

Last year, he said, about six storms were severe enough that they would now warrant a name.

The New York Times

There were physical and developmental issues severe enough that his twin sister, Michelle Reed, lived only 20 months.

The New York Times

Before he transitioned, Grimm experienced anxiety and depression severe enough that he finished the second half of his freshman year in home school.

The Guardian

Over the last week, rumors were flying around Broadway that her condition was severe enough that the producers would have to find another leading lady.

The New York Times

"Although circulatory systems functioned for a brief time, the effects of the depressurisation were severe enough that the crew could not have regained consciousness.

The Guardian

An airman named Noris N. Paul had cysts severe enough that he spent six months in the hospital in 1967 getting skin grafts.

The New York Times

Soon the twinge in his right ankle evolved into severe pain, severe enough that he wound up in physical therapy with Achilles tendinitis.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "severe enough that", ensure that the consequence following "that" is a direct and logical result of the severity described. This strengthens the cause-and-effect relationship in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "severe enough that" in situations where a simpler phrasing like "so severe that" would suffice. Overusing complex structures can make your writing sound unnecessarily convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "severe enough that" functions as an intensifier followed by a conjunction, linking a condition of high severity to its consequence. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is used to establish a clear cause-and-effect relationship.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

31%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "severe enough that" is a common and grammatically correct construction used to connect a high degree of severity to a resulting consequence. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is widely used across news, scientific, and wiki sources, indicating its broad applicability. While versatile, it's important to consider simpler alternatives like "so severe that" in less formal contexts to avoid unnecessary complexity. Remember to ensure the consequence directly and logically follows from the severity described to maintain a strong cause-and-effect relationship. The phrase functions as an intensifier followed by a conjunction and it is used to emphasize the degree of intensity of a particular situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so severe that

This alternative is more concise and directly expresses the severity.

sufficiently severe that

This alternative adds a degree of formality by using "sufficiently".

to such a degree that

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the extent of the severity.

so critical that

This alternative focuses on the critical nature of the situation rather than just the severity.

bad enough to

This alternative is more informal and uses simpler language.

serious enough to

This alternative emphasizes the seriousness of the situation.

of such magnitude that

This alternative is very formal and emphasizes the scale of the problem.

intense enough that

This alternative highlights the intensity of the situation.

acute enough that

This alternative stresses the acuteness or urgency of the situation.

the point where

This alternative changes the structure to indicate a limit/threshold.

FAQs

How can I use "severe enough that" in a sentence?

You can use "severe enough that" to indicate that something reached a critical point and thus something happened. For example, "The storm was "severe enough that" the city declared a state of emergency".

What are some alternatives to "severe enough that"?

Some alternatives include "so severe that", "sufficiently severe that", or "to such a degree that", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is there a difference between "severe enough that" and "serious enough that"?

While both phrases indicate a significant degree of impact, "severe" suggests a greater intensity or harshness, while "serious" implies a weighty or concerning nature. The best choice depends on the specific context.

Can "severe enough that" be used in all types of writing?

Yes, but consider the tone and audience. In very informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "bad enough to" might be more appropriate. In formal writing, "severe enough that" works well to convey a clear cause-and-effect relationship.