severely deficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "severely deficient" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant lack or shortfall in a particular quality, skill, or resource. Example: "The report indicated that the school's resources were severely deficient, impacting the students' learning experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The rationale for this is underpinned by the observations from PROWESS that approximately one-third of patients who had severe protein C deficiency at baseline were no longer severely deficient after 24 hours of DrotAA therapy, and that approximately one-quarter of patients who were not severely deficient at baseline were deficient at 24 hours, despite DrotAA treatment.

Critical Care

75 subjects (74%) had vitamin D levels <50 nM and thus had at least mild deficiency, while 19 (19%) were severely deficient with levels <25 nM.

BMC Psychiatry

Further investigation revealed severely deficient levels of factor XI, and factor XI deficiency was diagnosed.

JA Clinical Reports

It has also been shown in several case series that ADAMTS13 activity is not severely deficient in these patients.

CKJ: Clinical Kidney Journal

Parker Posey's Wikipedia page is severely deficient.

The New Yorker

My test results showed I was severely deficient.

Harvard University

By Silvia Killingsworth September 23 , 2012Parker Posey's Wikipedia page is severely deficient.

The New Yorker

The detainees' lawyers argue that the alternative process is severely deficient.

The New York Times

When he got to college, Jason discovered that his research skills were severely deficient very bad.

The New Yorker

He said the mental health treatment he saw at the prison was severely deficient.

The New York Times

He has identified otherwise normal persons who are severely deficient in recognizing faces (called developmental prosopagnosia).

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "severely deficient", ensure the context clearly indicates what is lacking and the impact of that deficiency. Be specific about the consequences to strengthen your argument or description.

Common error

Avoid using "severely deficient" when a milder term like "lacking" or "insufficient" would suffice. Overusing strong language can weaken your writing and make it seem less credible. Reserve "severely deficient" for truly critical shortfalls.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "severely deficient" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a significant lack or inadequacy. As supported by Ludwig AI, this expression effectively conveys the extent of a deficiency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "severely deficient" is a powerful way to describe a significant lack or inadequacy. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in science, news, and formal business settings. When using "severely deficient", be sure to clearly define what is lacking and the ramifications of that shortfall. While there are many synonyms, such as "critically lacking" or "profoundly inadequate", each carries its own nuance. Remember to avoid overstating the deficiency and choose the most appropriate term for the situation at hand to maintain credibility and accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critically lacking

Emphasizes the essential nature of what is missing, suggesting a dire consequence due to the deficiency.

profoundly inadequate

Highlights the depth and extent of the inadequacy, indicating a substantial shortfall.

seriously lacking

Indicates a notable and concerning absence or deficiency.

woefully insufficient

Suggests that the level of insufficiency is regrettable and disappointing.

gravely deficient

Emphasizes the seriousness of the deficiency, implying significant negative consequences.

acutely lacking

Highlights the sharp and intense nature of the deficiency.

remarkably inadequate

Focuses on how striking the inadequacy is, drawing attention to the disparity.

extremely insufficient

Stresses the degree of insufficiency, indicating a significant shortfall.

badly wanting

Implies that something is greatly needed and absent, creating a strong sense of lack.

drastically short

Highlights the severity and suddenness of the shortage or deficiency.

FAQs

How can I use "severely deficient" in a sentence?

You can use "severely deficient" to describe a significant lack or shortfall in something. For example, "The patient was "severely deficient" in vitamin D" or "The program was "severely deficient" in funding".

What are some alternatives to "severely deficient"?

Some alternatives include "critically lacking", "profoundly inadequate", or "seriously lacking", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "severely deficient" or "seriously deficient"?

Both "severely deficient" and "seriously deficient" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice depends on the desired emphasis, with "severely" implying a greater degree of deficiency.

What does "severely deficient" mean in a medical context?

In a medical context, "severely deficient" typically refers to a critical lack of a vital nutrient, hormone, or other substance necessary for proper bodily function. This deficiency can lead to significant health problems.