severe judgment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "severe judgment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a harsh or strict evaluation or assessment of a situation or individual. Example: "The committee's decision was based on severe judgment, reflecting their strict standards for performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It's a severe judgment, and convincing.

The New Yorker

"I think this is a very severe judgment," he said.

The New York Times

But in fact he immediately offered the reasons for his severe judgment.

The New York Times

In 1817 Ferenc Kölcsey, another Hungarian poet of the period, made an unduly severe judgment on Berzsenyi's work.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There were hundreds of cases of younger wines, not listed, because in Mr. Poulakakos's severe judgment, they were not ready to drink.

The New York Times - Food

A touch of this severe judgment still clings to the Florentines, in whose makeup one tends to miss the exuberance and warmth associated with Italians in other towns and regions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

These are severe judgments, but they are not unjust.

The Guardian - Books

Few other diarists of the period displayed such raw emotion and or expressed such severe judgments.

The New York Times

Passaro is equally good at conveying the crazy compression of Manhattan life, where the verdict on people, places and things tends to be delivered instantaneously: "We make such severe judgments, so arbitrary and complete.

The New York Times - Books

Quirkily severe judgments sometimes jar with the chatty, pedagogic tone, but Lord Norwich is himself a skilful spinner of tales, and this engagingly colourful analysis of plotting over poetry, kings over knaves, will appeal to his intended readership,'lovers of Shakespeare, enthusiastically but cheerfully non-expert'.

The Guardian - Books

The historically pro-prosecution Fifth Circuit, which will no doubt have to rule on Lay and Skilling's appeal, should likewise issue expeditious and severe judgments.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "severe judgment", ensure the context clearly warrants a strong and critical assessment. Overuse can diminish its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "severe judgment" when a milder critique would suffice. Using it for trivial matters dilutes its power and can come across as overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "severe judgment" functions as a noun phrase, where 'severe' modifies the noun 'judgment'. It describes the intensity or harshness of a decision or evaluation. Ludwig confirms the phrase is usable and correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "severe judgment" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a harsh or critical evaluation. Ludwig confirms its validity and provides examples from various sources. While not the most common phrase, it is appropriate in contexts where a strong and decisive assessment is warranted. Related phrases such as "harsh assessment" or "stern evaluation" can be used as alternatives. Remember to reserve "severe judgment" for situations that genuinely require a strong critical appraisal to avoid diluting its impact. The sources from which the examples come are reputable and from different fields of expertise from News to Science, indicating that it is also appropriate to use the term in different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harsh assessment

Replaces 'judgment' with a more direct term for evaluation.

stern evaluation

Substitutes both words to convey a serious appraisal.

critical appraisal

Focuses on the analytical aspect of the judgment, implying scrutiny.

strict verdict

Emphasizes the decisiveness and inflexibility of the assessment.

unfavorable opinion

Highlights the negative aspect of the judgment.

negative critique

Replaces 'judgment' with a term often used in artistic or academic contexts.

strong condemnation

Implies a moral dimension to the judgment, suggesting disapproval.

damning assessment

Conveys a judgment that is likely to have severe consequences.

bitter conclusion

Emphasizes the unpleasant nature of the judgment's outcome.

austere pronouncement

Uses more formal vocabulary to suggest a solemn and uncompromising judgment.

FAQs

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

You can use "severe judgment" to describe a harsh or critical evaluation. For example, "The committee's decision was based on a "severe judgment", reflecting their strict standards."

What are some alternatives to "severe judgment"?

Alternatives include "harsh assessment", "stern evaluation", or "critical appraisal", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "severe judgment"?

It is appropriate when the situation warrants a strong, critical assessment, often with serious consequences or implications.

Is "severe judgment" the same as "harsh criticism"?

While similar, "severe judgment" often implies a formal or decisive evaluation, whereas "harsh criticism" can be more general and less structured.