severely discouraged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "severely discouraged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong feeling of disapproval or disappointment regarding a situation or behavior. Example: "After the recent events, many students felt severely discouraged about their chances of success in the upcoming exams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Until the late 1970s Cuban musicians were severely discouraged from playing it, for political reasons.

The New York Times - Arts

Under the leadership of Mao Zedong artists were severely discouraged from practicing both traditional and Modernist styles.

The New York Times

Furthermore, VA doctors have generally been severely discouraged from recommending medical marijuana to patients even in states where it is legal.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The likely effect of this crown jewel lock-up is to severely discourage any third party from trying to outbid Apple for AuthenTec.

The New York Times

The trade office said such behavior would "undermine Antigua's claimed intentions of becoming a leader in legitimate electronic commerce, and would severely discourage foreign investment" in the country.

The New York Times

Survivors who were not severely physically wounded were discouraged by community leaders from pursuing prosecution and were instead reported to be encouraged to accept economic compensation to protect the community's honor.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

The Federal Election Commission had also punished previous efforts to evade the McCain-Feingold rules severely enough to discourage new attempts.

The New York Times

If you are severely constipated, this may be somewhat uncomfortable, but try not to get discouraged.

WikiHow

Discouraging news for an already discouraged workforce.

The Economist

Courage is discouraged.

The New Yorker

His manner discouraged conversation.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "severely discouraged", ensure the context clearly indicates who is doing the discouraging and who or what is being discouraged. This helps to avoid ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "severely discouraged" when a milder term like "discouraged" or "advised against" would suffice. Overusing strong language can dilute its impact and make your writing seem hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "severely discouraged" functions as a verb phrase indicating a strong form of dissuasion or prevention. Ludwig indicates that it is grammatically correct and usable. The adverb "severely" intensifies the verb "discouraged", highlighting the strength of the discouragement.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "severely discouraged" is a grammatically correct way to express a strong level of dissuasion or prevention. Ludwig examples indicate that it frequently appears in news and scientific contexts. While it is usable across different registers, it is most common in neutral to professional settings. Alternatives such as "strongly dissuaded" or "heavily dissuaded" can be used to vary the language while maintaining a similar intensity. Remember to ensure clarity in context and avoid overuse to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strongly dissuaded

This alternative replaces "severely" with "strongly" and "discouraged" with "dissuaded", maintaining a similar level of intensity.

heavily dissuaded

This option uses "heavily" instead of "severely", offering a close synonym with a slightly different connotation.

strongly advised against

This alternative shifts the structure to an advisory context while keeping the strength of the original message.

firmly warned against

This phrase implies a stronger cautionary tone, emphasizing potential negative consequences.

vehemently opposed

This alternative conveys a strong disagreement and active resistance, changing the focus from discouragement to opposition.

harshly prohibited

This suggests a formal or strict ban, adding a legal or authoritative dimension.

actively prevented

This shifts the focus to active intervention to stop something from happening, rather than simply discouraging it.

expressly disapproved of

This alternative indicates an open and clear disapproval, usually from an authority.

drastically deterred

This suggests a significant deterrent effect, emphasizing the outcome of the discouragement.

seriously cautioned

This alternative focuses on warning about potential risks, softening the negative connotation of "discouraged".

FAQs

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

You can use "severely discouraged" to indicate that someone or something is strongly advised against or prevented from doing something, such as "Cuban musicians were "severely discouraged" from playing jazz for political reasons".

What are some alternatives to "severely discouraged"?

Alternatives include phrases like "strongly dissuaded", "heavily dissuaded", or "strongly advised against" depending on the specific context.

Is "severely discouraged" a formal or informal expression?

"Severely discouraged" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the subject matter. However, it is generally more common in news reports and academic discussions.

What's the difference between "severely discouraged" and "slightly discouraged"?

"Severely discouraged" indicates a strong level of disapproval or prevention, while "slightly discouraged" suggests a milder form of discouragement. The choice depends on the intensity you wish to convey.