Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
severe to apply
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "severe to apply" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It seems to be an incorrect combination of words that lacks clarity and proper context. Example: "The requirements are too severe to apply for this position."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Alternative expressions(2)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
Currently, the most severe limitation to applying RNA interference technology is delivery, including localizing the molecules to a specific site of interest to target a specific cell population and sustaining the presentation of these molecules for a controlled period of time.
Science
A 645-page report from the United States Sentencing Commission found that federal mandatory minimum sentences are often "excessively severe," not "narrowly tailored to apply only to those offenders who warrant such punishment," and not "applied consistently".
News & Media
Knowing that a crop will give a good yield even if, for example, it is subjected to full submergence for 2 weeks or a moderately severe drought will encourage farmers to apply inputs and obtain even higher yields.
Science
For instance, behavioral therapy is mainly focused on issues that are prevalent in chronic patients, such as low feelings of self-control or fear of movement/(re- injury. Since the population of the pre- injurydy, military employees of the RNLA, is a working population with mostly short-term, intermittent and moderately severe LBP, we chose to apply a more physical approach.
"To apply the severe remedy that you propose," he told Ms. Karlan, "in this area at this date seems to me excessive".
News & Media
"When these cases find their way to the courtrooms, it's usually a family member helping someone they love, and the judges are hesitant to apply the severest penalties," he said.
News & Media
The administration will have to determine how broadly to apply the most severe restrictions as the TARP program is revised.
News & Media
However, this same standard appears to apply an excessively severe correction in some situations.
Science
Our results are therefore likely to apply to more severe influenza infections.
Science
The observed findings seem to apply to more-severe patients as well, as long as they are fed enterally.
Science
Tensor bandages are made of a thick elastic that helps to apply heavy pressure to severe bleeding.
Wiki
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When describing a situation where rules or conditions are too strict to be applied, rephrase using clearer alternatives like "too strict to implement" or "excessively difficult to enforce".
Common error
Avoid directly combining an adjective like "severe" with an infinitive phrase starting with "to apply". Instead, clarify the relationship by specifying what is too severe to apply (e.g. "The requirements are too severe to apply.")
Source & Trust
69.6%
Authority and reliability
1.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "severe to apply" is grammatically incorrect and doesn't function as a standard English construction. Ludwig AI indicates that it lacks clarity and proper context. It seemingly attempts to describe something that is too strict or harsh for implementation, but does so in an ungrammatical way.
Frequent in
Science
0%
News & Media
0%
Formal & Business
0%
Less common in
Science
0%
News & Media
0%
Formal & Business
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "severe to apply" is considered grammatically incorrect by Ludwig. It is not a recognized or standard construction in English, and there are no exact examples of its correct usage in the provided data. The intended meaning appears to be related to something being too strict or harsh for implementation, and should be replaced with phrases such as "too strict to implement" or "difficult to enforce" for clarity and grammatical correctness. Due to its incorrectness, the frequency of its appearance is missing.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
too strict to implement
Focuses on the strictness of implementation rather than a general application.
too harsh to enforce
Emphasizes the harshness of enforcement rather than the act of applying something.
difficult to administer
Highlights the difficulty of administration rather than the severity of application.
hard to put into practice
Focuses on the challenge of practical implementation, not just application.
stringent to utilize
Highlights the stringent nature of utilization.
challenging to execute
Highlights the challenging nature of execution.
rigorous for consideration
Highlights the rigorousness for consideration.
restrictive for adoption
Highlights the restrictiveness for adoption.
onerous to apply
Emphasizes the burdensome nature of application.
demanding to implement
Highlights the demanding nature of implementation.
FAQs
How can I use "severe to apply" correctly in a sentence?
The phrase "severe to apply" is not grammatically sound. You need to rephrase it to make sense. For example, "The consequences are too severe /s/too+severe to apply a lenient penalty" or "The rules are too strict /s/too+strict to apply in this situation".
What are some alternatives to "severe to apply"?
Instead of "severe to apply", you can use phrases like "difficult to implement", "hard to enforce", or "too strict to apply". The best choice depends on the specific context you're trying to convey.
Is it correct to say "severe to apply"?
No, "severe to apply" is not a standard or grammatically correct phrase in English. It's better to use a more descriptive and grammatically sound alternative.
What does Ludwig AI say about the phrase "severe to apply"?
According to Ludwig, the phrase "severe to apply" is incorrect and does not make sense in written English. It suggests using alternative phrases that are grammatically correct and clearer.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
69.6%
Authority and reliability
1.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested