severely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "severely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is done to a great degree or intensity, often in a negative context. Example: "The storm severely damaged the coastal town, leaving many homes in ruins."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The decision means that the commission will be unable to investigate or report on several current operations, and will severely restrict its ability to report on Operations Spicer and Credo," Icac said in a statement on Monday.

The Guardian

It added that several thousand passengers using Paddington on 27 December were affected by cancelled and severely delayed services.

The Guardian

Juventus had laboured to snuff out the threat posed by AS Monaco for over an hour, their own attacking ambitions severely limited in response, but they were not wounded when at their most vulnerable and ultimately eased through the last quarter with the authority of a side who would not be beaten.

The Guardian - Sport

Although the control tower collapsed last week and the terminals and runways have been severely damaged by shelling, the airport holds great symbolic and strategic importance for both sides.

The Guardian

Rights groups say the government that replaced him has been anything but democratic – with more than a thousand dissidents killed, thousands more arrested, and the right to free assembly and free speech severely curbed.

The Guardian

"We live in a world where it feels as though the darkness is falling ever more severely on whole swathes and regions and in which the light of the news often seems to go out," he said.

The Guardian

Or when Bubbles goads the junkie bully, thinking he has Herc to come and back him up, only to be beaten severely?

The Guardian

Within a few years, the study of French at UK universities, already severely endangered, may well become extinct.

The Guardian - Opinion

On top of that, in 1977 the supreme court ruled that the eighth amendment protection against "cruel and unusual punishment" did not apply to schoolchildren, after hearing a case in which students were hit regularly with paddles for minor infractions, one "depriving him of the use of his arms for a week," and one student was hit so severely "that he suffered a hematoma requiring medical attention".

The Guardian - Sport

Even members of Congress' access to the text is severely restricted, and they face criminal prosecution if they tell their constituents what they've read.

The Guardian

There was always food on the table but I was made aware from an early age that the Alderman household was severely "cash-limited".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "severely", consider the emotional tone of your writing. It often implies a negative or undesirable outcome, so ensure it aligns with your intended message and audience.

Common error

Avoid using "severely" in situations where a positive intensification is intended. For instance, instead of saying "severely improved", opt for alternatives like "significantly improved" or "greatly enhanced" to maintain a positive connotation.

Linguistic Context

Function: "Severely" primarily functions as an adverb, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to intensify their meaning. It indicates a high degree or intensity, often in a negative or undesirable context. Ludwig provides examples of how it modifies verbs like 'restrict', 'damage', and 'curb'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "severely" is a versatile adverb used to emphasize the degree or intensity of an action or condition, predominantly in negative contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media, and less so in other source categories, and its impact is often quite high, lending a serious tone to the narrative. When using "severely", it is important to consider the emotional tone of your writing and choose it judiciously to avoid unintended connotations. Alternatives include "gravely", "seriously", and "drastically", depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seriously

Implies a degree of concern or gravity, often related to potential harm or negative outcomes.

extremely

Emphasizes a very high degree or intensity, applicable to various situations and conditions.

gravely

Emphasizes the seriousness or importance of a situation, often implying negative consequences.

drastically

Indicates a significant or radical change, often with far-reaching consequences.

critically

Highlights the importance or urgency of something, often related to a dangerous or unstable condition.

harshly

Suggests a severe or strict manner, often implying a lack of compassion or leniency.

badly

Indicates a poor or inadequate condition, often related to damage, injury, or failure.

acutely

Indicates a sharp or intense experience, often referring to pain, awareness, or sensitivity.

intensely

Highlights a strong or concentrated focus, effort, or feeling.

substantially

Refers to a considerable amount or degree, often related to changes, improvements, or impacts.

FAQs

How can I use "severely" in a sentence?

Use "severely" to emphasize the degree to which something is affected, typically in a negative way. For example, "The company's profits were severely impacted by the pandemic."

What are some alternatives to the word "severely"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "gravely", "seriously", or "drastically".

Is it correct to say "severely good"?

While grammatically correct, "severely good" is uncommon and may sound awkward. It's generally better to use alternatives like "exceptionally good" or "remarkably good" for a more natural tone.

What's the difference between "severely" and "seriously"?

"Severely" indicates a high degree of intensity or harshness, while "seriously" implies a degree of concern or gravity. For example, an injury can be "severely painful", and a situation can be "seriously concerning".