severely affect

USAGE SUMMARY

'severely affect' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong, negative influence on something. For example: "The lack of funding severely affected the library's ability to provide materials for its patrons."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's not just a nuisance to have balance dues in several cards, it can also severely affect your credit score.

HuffPost

Several factors that Air Lease does not control could severely affect its business.

Los Angeles Times

Instead we will have a harvest of imported goods which will severely affect Australia's "bibliodiversity".

The Guardian - Opinion

In New York City, the mayor's planned budget adjustment will not severely affect uniformed services.

The New York Times

"Defendants further know that such injury would severely affect his performance".

The Guardian - Sport

It would severely affect those companies that depend on just-in-time inventory.

The New York Times

By contrast, pathological processes, such as those that accompany Alzheimer's disease, severely affect hippocampal regions.

Nature

Finally, we illustrate how local density variations can severely affect particle size distribution measurements.

Chemical Engineering Science

This crack pattern can severely affect the vibration characteristics of the shafts.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

These early-age cracks can severely affect the durability of a concrete structure.

Construction and Building Materials

Within a few decades they will severely affect billions of people in many parts of the world.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "severely affect", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being affected and the nature of the severe impact. For example, specify if it affects performance, quality, or functionality.

Common error

While "severely affect" is grammatically sound, overuse can make writing sound overly formal or dramatic. In less formal contexts, consider alternatives like "really hurt" or "badly impacted" to maintain a more conversational tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "severely affect" functions as a verb phrase, where "severely" is an adverb modifying the verb "affect". It indicates the degree to which something is influenced or impacted. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "severely affect" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a strong negative influence. As Ludwig AI points out, it's usable in written English and suitable for various contexts. Analysis of usage patterns indicates it appears most often in science and news media. While perfectly acceptable, writers should be mindful of overuse and consider alternatives like "gravely impact" or "seriously impair" in less formal settings. Remember to use "affect" (verb) and not "effect" (noun) and to clearly specify the subject being affected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

negatively impact

This is a direct synonym, simply replacing "severely" with "negatively".

gravely impact

This alternative suggests a serious and significant negative consequence.

seriously impair

This suggests a weakening or damaging effect on function or ability.

critically undermine

This implies a weakening of the foundation or support of something.

significantly damage

This focuses on the harm or destruction caused.

adversely influence

This suggests a negative effect on the course or outcome of something.

profoundly disrupt

This indicates a major disturbance or interruption.

deeply compromise

This implies a weakening of integrity or quality.

sharply reduce

This focuses on a significant decrease in quantity or quality.

intensely degrade

This alternative suggests a severe decline in condition or quality.

FAQs

How to use "severely affect" in a sentence?

Use "severely affect" to describe something that has a strong negative impact on something else. For example: "The budget cuts will "severely affect" the library's operating hours."

What can I say instead of "severely affect"?

You can use alternatives like "gravely impact", "seriously impair", or "negatively impact" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "severely affect" or "severely effect"?

"Severely affect" is correct. "Affect" is a verb meaning to influence, while "effect" is typically a noun meaning a result or consequence. Thus, something "severely affects" something else.

What's the difference between "severely affect" and "moderately affect"?

"Severely affect" indicates a strong, negative impact, while "moderately affect" indicates a less intense or significant impact. The choice depends on the degree of influence you want to convey.