severe harm

USAGE SUMMARY

"severe harm" is correct and can be used in written English.
Example sentence: The tornado caused severe harm to the small town.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The small percentage of SEA reports that involved severe harm or death is consistent with other recent UK data on the severity of events analysed by GPs [ 31].

BMC Family Practice

Even a moment of indecision can lead to severe harm or death to a patient.

The New York Times

In this game a man with Stamford Bridge associations did severe harm.

The Guardian - Sport

In the abortion controversy, both sides legitimately claim severe harm results from an adverse ruling.

The New York Times

To grant the waiver, it would have to find severe harm to the economy.

The New York Times

The spines can be difficult to unlodge from flesh without causing severe harm.

Independent

Many surgeons had long feared that waiting would cause severe harm, but those fears were proved unfounded.

The New York Times - Health

Chief constable George Hamilton said the operation had prevented dissident republicans opposed to the peace process from causing severe harm.

The Guardian

Of these, more than 23,000 caused moderate or severe harm and there were 716 deaths – four a day".

The Guardian

Because climate change is going to inflict increasingly severe harm on human populations, the impulse to rebel is only likely to gain in strength across the planet.

The Guardian - Opinion

They found that between 2005 and 2012 there were 62 reports from hospitals of severe harm and 41 of the patients had died.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "severe harm" in formal reports, legal documents, and academic papers to maintain a professional and authoritative tone. This phrase is widely recognized and understood in these contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "severe harm" when describing minor inconveniences or slight damages. Overusing this phrase can dilute its impact and credibility. Opt for more appropriate terms like "slight inconvenience" or "minor damage" in less serious contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "severe harm" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it identifies a state of significant damage or injury. The phrase clearly denotes the intensity of the negative impact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "severe harm" is a grammatically sound phrase widely used to describe significant damage or injury. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and appropriateness in various contexts. Predominantly found in news and scientific publications, its neutral to formal register makes it suitable for professional and authoritative communication. Be mindful of using it only when the harm is truly significant to maintain the phrase's impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious injury

Focuses specifically on physical damage.

grave danger

Emphasizes the potential for negative outcomes, possibly including but not limited to harm.

significant damage

Highlights the extent of the damage caused.

major detriment

Indicates a substantial disadvantage or negative impact.

critical risk

Focuses on the probability and impact of potential hazards.

substantial impairment

Suggests a reduction in function or capability.

extreme hazard

Implies a very high level of danger.

dire consequences

Highlights the extremely negative results of a situation.

substantial adversity

Emphasizes the hardship and challenges caused.

grievous hurt

Highlights deep emotional or physical damage.

FAQs

How to use "severe harm" in a sentence?

You can use "severe harm" to describe significant damage or injury. For example, "The accident caused "severe harm" to the environment" or "The patient suffered "severe harm" as a result of the medical error".

What can I say instead of "severe harm"?

You can use alternatives like "serious injury", "grave danger", or "significant damage" depending on the specific context.

Is "severe harm" the same as "serious harm"?

While similar, "severe harm" typically implies a greater degree of damage or injury than "serious harm". "Severe" suggests a more critical or life-altering impact.

What kind of situations warrant the use of "severe harm"?

"Severe harm" is appropriate when describing situations that involve significant physical injury, psychological trauma, or substantial damage to property or the environment. It is often used in legal, medical, and environmental contexts.