Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
severity of illness
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase 'severity of illness' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe how serious someone's illness is. For example, "The severity of the illness increased over the course of the week."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Academia
Alternative expressions(19)
seriousness of disease
disease severity
intensity of sickness
criticality of the condition
intensity of illness
magnitude of illness
importance of illness
degree of sickness
level of ailment
degree of affliction
strength of sickness
seriousness of condition
severity of the condition
degree of condition
extent of sickness
degree of illness
magnitude of sickness
degree of morbidity
extent of disease
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
56 human-written examples
It likely depends on several factors including severity of illness and hemodynamic status.
Science
Flu shots also reduce the severity of illness.
News & Media
(Medicare does adjust its report cards for severity of illness, yet doctors are skeptical).
News & Media
Even partial protection can help to reduce the severity of illness and prevent hospitalizations and deaths.
News & Media
The course and severity of illness associated with HBV infection varies widely.
Encyclopedias
Performance of severity of illness scoring systems in emergency department patients with infection.
Academia
Clinical Global Impression of Severity of Illness.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
4 human-written examples
The Misapplication of Severity-of-Illness Scores toward Clinical Decision Making.
Academia
Severity-of-illness scores have broad applicability in intensive care setting.
Science
Many ICUs collect severity-of-illness scores.
Science
30 The choice of severity-of-illness tool is important.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When discussing medical research or patient care, use "severity of illness" to objectively describe the intensity of a patient's condition. This helps ensure clear communication among healthcare professionals.
Common error
Avoid exaggerating the "severity of illness" without providing specific, measurable data. Overly dramatic descriptions can mislead readers and undermine your credibility. Instead, use precise language and reference established scoring systems when possible.
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "severity of illness" functions as a noun phrase that describes the degree or intensity of a medical condition. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in numerous medical and scientific contexts, indicating its role in objective assessments.
Frequent in
Science
74%
Academia
13%
News & Media
9%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
1%
Formal & Business
1%
Reference
1%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "severity of illness" is a grammatically correct and commonly used term to describe the seriousness of a medical condition. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent appearance in scientific, academic, and news contexts, making it a versatile phrase for both formal and informal communication. When writing about medical topics, remember that "severity of illness" is valuable for objectively describing a patient's condition. Alternatives like "seriousness of disease" or "disease severity" offer similar meanings, allowing for stylistic variation. To ensure accuracy and maintain credibility, it's best practice to avoid overstating the "severity of illness" without providing specific supporting data.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
seriousness of disease
This alternative emphasizes the gravity or danger associated with the illness.
disease severity
This is a more concise and direct way of expressing the same concept, reversing the order of the words.
illness severity
This variation simply reorders the words, maintaining the same meaning.
intensity of sickness
Replaces "illness" with "sickness" and "severity" with "intensity", focusing on the strength or degree of the condition.
extent of the disease
This alternative focuses on how far the disease has progressed or spread.
criticality of the condition
Highlights how crucial or urgent the state of the illness is.
acuteness of the ailment
Uses "acuteness" to refer to the sharpness or severity of the ailment.
dangerousness of the sickness
This focuses on the potential harm or risk associated with the illness.
magnitude of the health problem
This describes the size or scope of the health issue.
stage of the illness
This refers to the specific phase or level of progression of the disease.
FAQs
How can I use "severity of illness" in a sentence?
You can use "severity of illness" to describe the seriousness of a medical condition. For example, "The treatment plan depends on the "severity of illness"." or "Doctors assess the "severity of illness" to determine the appropriate level of care."
What are some phrases similar to "severity of illness"?
Similar phrases include "seriousness of disease", "disease severity", or "intensity of sickness". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.
Is it appropriate to use "severity of illness" in informal conversation?
While technically correct, "severity of illness" is more common in medical or formal contexts. In casual conversation, you might prefer simpler terms like "how sick someone is" or "how bad the illness is".
How is the "severity of illness" typically measured?
The "severity of illness" is often evaluated using standardized scoring systems like APACHE II or SAPS II. These scores consider various physiological parameters to provide an objective measure of a patient's condition.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested