severe interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "severe interest" is not commonly used in written English and may not convey the intended meaning clearly.
It could be used in contexts where one wants to express a strong or intense level of interest, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "Her severe interest in the subject led her to pursue a career in research."

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But Summers noted that Sweden didn't nationalize for two and a half years, by which time the situation had become so severe — interest rates had reached a hundred per cent — that there were no other options.

The New Yorker

Income-driven repayment is often a better option than forbearance because it allows the borrower to maintain progress towards either loan payoff or loan forgiveness, it can have less severe interest consequences, and it is renewable for a longer period of time.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

-- Chris Lardner of Albuquerque, who wrote President Obama about her family's financial crisis after suffering a severe interest-rate increase on her credit card.

The Washington Post

However, entering forbearance can have severe and lasting interest consequences, since interest will continue to accrue and will also be capitalized (meaning it will be added to the principal balance).

Forbes

Their currencies are under severe pressure and interest rates are crippling.

The Guardian - Business

I mean, I think there is a severe important public interest in dealing with this leak question.

The New York Times

The penalty for not meeting the requirements is severe — the average interest rate drops to just 0.07 percent.

The New York Times

Lord Cashel manoeuvres to gain Fanny's inheritance for his son, knowing that there is a severe conflict of interest in his doing so.

The Guardian - Books

Ever present is the risk that the vital foreign inflows will wane, with severe repercussions on interest rates and the dollar.

The New York Times

Managers do face severe conflicts of interest in these transactions; they cannot simultaneously act as buyer and agent for the seller.

Harvard Business Review

The financial-incentive bubble led institutions into risk taking and into severe conflicts of interest where customers were often competitors and where notions of fiduciary responsibility quickly seemed antiquated.The fraying of the compact of American capitalism by rising income inequality and repeated governance crises is disturbing.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "severe interest", ensure the context warrants the intensity implied by "severe". Consider alternatives like "strong" or "keen" interest for less emphatic situations.

Common error

Avoid using "severe interest" when a more common and natural phrase like "strong interest" would suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound unnatural or overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "severe interest" functions as an adjective-noun combination where "severe" modifies the noun "interest". It describes the intensity or degree of interest someone has in a particular subject or activity. Ludwig AI indicates it can be used to express a strong level of interest but advises the use of more standard expressions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "severe interest" describes a strong or intense level of interest, but it is not a commonly used phrase. Ludwig AI suggests that more standard expressions might be preferable. While grammatically correct, overuse may sound unnatural. The phrase appears in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts. Alternatives include "intense interest" and "strong interest". Remember to consider the context and desired level of emphasis when choosing between "severe interest" and its alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intense interest

Replaces "severe" with "intense", emphasizing the strength of the interest.

strong interest

Substitutes "severe" with "strong", indicating a notable degree of interest.

keen interest

Uses "keen" instead of "severe", suggesting enthusiasm and eagerness.

marked interest

Replaces "severe" with "marked", highlighting that the interest is easily noticeable.

deep interest

Employs "deep" instead of "severe", conveying a profound level of engagement.

profound interest

Substitutes "severe" with "profound", signifying a significant and insightful level of interest.

exceptional interest

Uses "exceptional" instead of "severe", denoting that the interest is unusual or outstanding.

considerable interest

Replaces "severe" with "considerable", indicating that the interest is substantial.

significant interest

Substitutes "severe" with "significant", conveying that the interest is important or noteworthy.

serious interest

Uses "serious" instead of "severe", suggesting a sincere and thoughtful interest.

FAQs

What does "severe interest" mean?

"Severe interest" implies a very strong or intense level of interest in something, bordering on preoccupation or a critical need to know more. However, it is better to use more standard expressions like "intense interest" or "strong interest".

Is "severe interest" grammatically correct?

Yes, "severe interest" is grammatically correct, but it's not a common or idiomatic phrase. While it's understandable, it might sound slightly awkward to native English speakers.

What are some alternatives to "severe interest"?

Alternatives include "keen interest", "marked interest", "profound interest", or "exceptional interest". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

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

You can use it to describe someone's heightened attention or focus on a particular subject. For example: "Her severe interest in the topic led her to research it extensively".