severely hampered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "severely hampered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where progress or development is significantly hindered or obstructed. Example: "The project was severely hampered by unexpected budget cuts, leading to delays in its completion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Coalmining operations in the Australian state were severely hampered.

The Economist

This turned out to be far too CPU intensive and severely hampered the program.

Cornell University

Cortés said the "results were severely hampered by data limitations" and would produce "ineffective management advice".

The Guardian

Until her movements were severely hampered by Parkinson's disease, she was an intrepid world traveler.

The New York Times

His work on the biography was severely hampered by ill health.

The Guardian

Since that time, American Muslims have been severely hampered in their charitable giving.

The New York Times

Myths circulating in Nigeria severely hampered efforts to eradicate polio during the early 2000s.

The Guardian

The press in half a dozen countries has been severely hampered.

The New York Times

Even before the latest eruption, search and rescue efforts had been severely hampered by perilous conditions.

The Guardian

This restriction has severely hampered efforts to generate genetic marker libraries for these important groups.

Nature

But he said funding cuts "severely hampered" the Icac's ability to function.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "severely hampered", ensure the subject and the cause of the hindrance are clearly stated to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example: "The project was "severely hampered" by a lack of funding."

Common error

Avoid using "severely hampered" when the impact is only minor or moderate. The phrase implies a significant and substantial obstruction, so ensure the situation warrants such a strong term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "severely hampered" functions as a modifier, typically used to describe how an action, process, or entity has been negatively affected or restricted. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is used correctly and indicates significant obstruction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "severely hampered" is a versatile expression used to describe situations where progress or function is significantly hindered. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, including news reports, scientific research, and business communications. While alternatives like "greatly hindered" or "significantly obstructed" exist, it is important to reserve "severely hampered" for situations where the obstruction is substantial, avoiding its use for minor inconveniences. Its frequent appearance in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian reinforces its validity and appropriateness for formal and professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

greatly hindered

Indicates a high degree of obstruction, similar to "severely hampered" but perhaps with slightly less intensity.

significantly obstructed

Emphasizes the blocking or impeding aspect, often in a more concrete or physical sense than "severely hampered".

seriously impeded

Highlights the slowing down or delaying effect, suggesting a more gradual obstruction than "severely hampered".

badly affected

Focuses on the negative consequences or impact of something, rather than the direct act of hindering.

heavily restricted

Suggests limitations or constraints imposed on something, often by external forces or regulations.

sharply curtailed

Implies a sudden and significant reduction or limitation, often in terms of resources or opportunities.

markedly constrained

Emphasizes the limitations or boundaries placed on something, often due to specific conditions or circumstances.

substantially impaired

Focuses on the weakening or damaging effect on something's functionality or effectiveness.

critically undermined

Suggests a weakening of the foundation or support of something, potentially leading to its failure.

gravely compromised

Highlights the endangering or jeopardizing of something's integrity or safety.

FAQs

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

You can use "severely hampered" to describe situations where something is significantly hindered or obstructed. For instance, "The team's progress was severely hampered by the unexpected weather conditions."

What are some alternatives to saying "severely hampered"?

Alternatives to "severely hampered" include "greatly hindered", "significantly obstructed", or "seriously impeded", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "slightly hampered" or should I always use "severely hampered"?

The choice between "slightly hampered" and "severely hampered" depends on the degree of obstruction. Use "slightly hampered" when the hindrance is minor, and "severely hampered" when it is significant.

What is the difference between "severely hampered" and "severely restricted"?

"Severely hampered" implies an obstruction or hindrance to progress or action, while "severely restricted" suggests limitations or constraints placed on something. The phrase "severely restricted" focuses on limiting something to a great degree.