severely hurt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "severely hurt" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to convey a feeling of intense emotional or physical pain. For example, "Losing her father to cancer severely hurt her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In Tripoli, the defeat, combined with severity of the Rous' punishment, severely hurt morale throughout the city, and led to significant reductions in recruitment for ships' crews.

Wikipedia

Renda noted that over the last several years, the economic collapse, terrorism and the refugee crisis have severely hurt Europe.

Duke University

I would have severely hurt myself.

Independent

One of them was severely hurt.

The Guardian

It immediately, and severely, hurt state tax collections.

The New York Times

"But the improvement has been good, so I don't think it's severely hurt".

The New York Times - Sports

But these people are here legally, and are severely hurt by those coming in illegally".

Independent

Voigt said in the statement: "I think I was very lucky not getting severely hurt".

The Guardian - Sport

Arena will be happier to learn that his injured players are not severely hurt.

The New York Times - Sports

The Golden Boy has severely hurt the program he so desperately wants to help.

The New York Times - Sports

Her clavicle and ribs were broken, her shoulder dislocated, her left leg severely hurt.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "severely hurt", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to physical harm, emotional distress, or detrimental impact on something (e.g. an economy).

Common error

Avoid using "severely hurt" when describing minor inconveniences or slight impacts. This phrase implies a significant degree of harm or damage, so use it judiciously to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "severely hurt" functions as an adverbial modifier (severely) intensifying the verb hurt, indicating a high degree of impact or damage. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Wiki

21%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "severely hurt" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that signifies a high degree of harm, damage, or distress, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its application spans across various contexts, including physical injuries, emotional distress, and detrimental economic impacts. While versatile, it's crucial to use it judiciously to avoid exaggeration. Alternatives such as "badly injured" or "gravely affected" can be considered for nuanced expression. Predominantly found in news and media, the phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

badly injured

Focuses on the physical damage sustained.

seriously wounded

Emphasizes a severe physical injury, often in a violent context.

gravely affected

Highlights the significant impact or adverse effects experienced.

deeply scarred

Implies lasting emotional or psychological damage.

hit hard

A more informal way to describe something being significantly affected.

devastated

Conveys overwhelming emotional or physical destruction.

crippled

Highlights the disabling or weakening effect.

seriously impaired

Focuses on the reduction in function or ability.

significantly damaged

Emphasizes the extent of the harm or loss.

hard hit

Informal way to say something was strongly affected.

FAQs

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

You can use "severely hurt" to describe physical injuries (e.g., "He was severely hurt in the accident"), emotional distress (e.g., "The breakup severely hurt her feelings"), or negative impacts on something (e.g., "The economic crisis severely hurt small businesses").

What are some alternatives to "severely hurt"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "badly injured", "gravely affected", or "deeply scarred".

Is it correct to say "severely injured" instead of "severely hurt"?

Yes, "severely injured" is a valid alternative, especially when referring to physical harm. "Severely hurt" can be used in a broader context to include emotional or economic damage.

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

"Severely hurt" implies a significant degree of harm or damage, whereas "slightly hurt" suggests a minor injury or impact. They represent opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of severity.