severity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "severity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the seriousness or intensity of a situation, condition, or issue. Example: "The severity of the storm caused widespread damage across the region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

'There could have been a riot.' The FA was prompt in issuing a statement last night which made the severity of the incidents clear and hinted at equally severe sanctions against Cantona.

The Guardian - Sport

These are figures that are not usually published but the severity of what happened at the hospital – they potentially include deaths, infections and abuse allegations – suggest serious problems of an unusual scale.

The Guardian

Initial attempts to extradite Aswat had been blocked in April 2013 by ECHR judges solely on the grounds of the severity of his illness and that there were insufficient guarantees about the accommodation and treatment available to him under detention in the US.

The Guardian

Not surprisingly, wheeled motor sports also rank highly for severity of injuries, second to roller sports in the high threat to life category.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Paradoxically, improvements to the safety of abortion in Chile is good news for women's immediate health concerns but does nothing to help highlight the severity and unpopularity of the law in the long run.

The Guardian

"Findings of our analysis suggest that the capacity of Ebola virus disease treatment centres needed to reduce the severity of the current outbreak greatly exceeds current international commitments," the authors write.

The Guardian

The British government has been urged to press world leaders to review the function and structure of the World Health Organisation (WHO) following its failure to recognise the scale and the severity of the Ebola crisis.

The Guardian

First of all it was generally agreed that the severity of the crisis had been exaggerated by the English-speaking media, who knew little of France and used the news of the French riots as a distraction from their own problems with immigration and immigrants in their own countries.

The Guardian

"However, these were handled in such a way as to visually understate the severity of the injury likely to be suffered in real life.

The Guardian

Maradona was said to have hurt his knee and Ojeda her hip, but Oscar Sico, director at Hospital de Ezeiza, allayed fears over the severity of their injuries.

The Guardian - Sport

"We are deeply concerned by the severity of the sentence and we have made our concerns known to the Malaysian government," the statement said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the potential impact of future events, use "severity" to quantify the potential negative consequences. For example, 'The study assessed the severity of potential economic downturns.'

Common error

Avoid using "severity" when describing positive or desirable qualities. "Severity" implies a negative attribute; instead, use words like "intensity" or "depth" for positive connotations.

Linguistic Context

The word "severity" primarily functions as a noun, often used to quantify the degree or intensity of something, typically something negative or undesirable. This is consistent with Ludwig's analysis and examples, where it describes the intensity of events or conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "severity" is a noun that describes the degree or intensity of something undesirable. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English, particularly in formal contexts like news, business, and scientific writing. While the word is very common and versatile, remember that the word implies something negative so do not use "severity" in positive contexts. Consider alternatives such as "seriousness", "intensity", or "magnitude" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seriousness of the situation

Emphasizes the grave nature or importance of a particular situation.

magnitude of the problem

Highlights the size or scale of an issue.

intensity of the impact

Focuses on the strength or degree of effect caused by something.

degree of hardship

Stresses the level of difficulty or suffering involved.

extent of the damage

Highlights how widespread the harmful effects are.

gravity of the matter

Indicates the weight or importance of an issue, suggesting it is serious and requires attention.

criticality of the condition

Emphasizes how crucial or urgent a situation is, particularly in health or emergency contexts.

acute nature of the crisis

Highlights the sudden and intense onset of a problematic situation.

harshness of the penalty

Focuses on how severe or strict a punishment is.

critical dimensions

Addresses the most decisive or important aspects of something.

FAQs

How can I use "severity" in a sentence?

You can use "severity" to describe the degree of something undesirable, such as "the severity of the storm" or "the severity of the punishment".

What words can I use instead of "severity"?

Depending on the context, you can use "seriousness", "intensity", or "magnitude" as alternatives to "severity".

Is it correct to say "the severity of good news"?

No, "severity" is generally used to describe negative or undesirable situations. For positive situations, consider using words like "impact", "extent", or "degree".

What's the difference between "severity" and "intensity"?

"Severity" often implies a negative or harmful aspect, while "intensity" simply refers to the degree of strength or force, without necessarily being negative.