severely underestimated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "severely underestimated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where the true value, importance, or impact of something has been significantly undervalued or misjudged. Example: "The potential consequences of climate change have been severely underestimated by policymakers over the years."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Evolutionary distances were severely underestimated (average underestimation: 0.894) without considering rate variation among sites.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Raingauge-based thresholds are severely underestimated with respect to the reference scenario.

Journal of Hydrology

Unfortunately, this group is understudied and thus species-level diversity is severely underestimated in this poorly collected group.

University of California, Berkeley

Or you go through some psychic switcheroo and recognize the genius in a series that you'd severely underestimated.

The New Yorker

Some individuals and environmental organisations scoff that the IPCC has severely underestimated the melting of glaciers, especially in Greenland.

The Guardian

FE simulations based on segmented images were accurate for the C3 vertebrae, but severely underestimated bone stiffness for the femur.

Bone

Some individuals and environmental organizations scoff that the IPCC has severely underestimated the melting of glaciers, especially in Greenland.

The Washington Post

The country's trade statistics have been severely underestimated because of widespread smuggling of consumer goods to Brazil and Argentina.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Sarkozy later said that France had severely underestimated the Tunisians' anger, and he replaced the French ambassador.

The New York Times

And she was blamed for a shortage of ballots in Bridgeport, where poll workers severely underestimated turnout.

The New York Times

However, I soon realised I had severely underestimated the weight of the desk, and was having difficulty pushing it up the slight incline of West Hill.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "severely underestimated" to emphasize a significant misjudgment. This phrase adds weight to your argument, highlighting the seriousness of the underestimation.

Common error

While impactful, avoid overuse of "severely underestimated". Overusing it can diminish its impact and credibility. Opt for more nuanced language to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "severely underestimated" functions as a modifier, specifically an adverb ("severely") modifying a verb ("underestimated"). It indicates the extent or degree to which something has been underestimated. As stated by Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

41%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "severely underestimated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to emphasize a significant misjudgment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts, particularly in science, news, and academia. While alternatives like "sharply underestimated" or "significantly underestimated" exist, the core meaning remains consistent. It's crucial to provide clear context and avoid overuse to maintain impact. By understanding its nuances and usage patterns, writers can effectively convey the magnitude of an underestimation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sharply underestimated

Replaces "severely" with "sharply", indicating a significant but perhaps less extreme underestimation.

significantly underestimated

Replaces "severely" with "significantly", maintaining a strong sense of underestimation.

greatly underestimated

Uses "greatly" instead of "severely", implying a considerable degree of underestimation.

gravely underestimated

Substitutes "severely" with "gravely", suggesting a serious or concerning level of underestimation.

considerably underestimated

Replaces "severely" with "considerably", implying a noteworthy degree of underestimation.

badly underestimated

Uses "badly" instead of "severely", indicating a poor or unfortunate underestimation.

drastically underestimated

Replaces "severely" with "drastically", suggesting a radical or extreme underestimation.

heavily underestimated

Substitutes "severely" with "heavily", suggesting a large degree of underestimation.

severely underrated

Changes "underestimated" to "underrated", shifting the focus to a lack of appreciation rather than a miscalculation.

severely misjudged

Replaces "underestimated" with "misjudged", focusing on the incorrect assessment of something's value or potential.

FAQs

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

You can use "severely underestimated" to describe situations where the actual value, impact, or extent of something is much greater than initially perceived. For example, "The impact of social media on political campaigns was "severely underestimated"."

What are some alternatives to "severely underestimated"?

Alternatives include "sharply underestimated", "significantly underestimated", or "greatly underestimated". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

What's the difference between "underestimated" and "severely underestimated"?

"Underestimated" implies a general misjudgment, while ""severely underestimated"" emphasizes that the misjudgment was significant. The addition of "severely" strengthens the statement and highlights the magnitude of the underestimation.

Is it appropriate to use "severely underestimated" in formal writing?

Yes, "severely underestimated" is appropriate for formal writing, as it is grammatically correct and widely used in academic, scientific, and professional contexts. However, ensure it accurately reflects the situation and avoid exaggeration.