sheer severity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sheer severity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an extreme or intense level of harshness or strictness in a situation or condition. Example: "The sheer severity of the storm left the entire town without power for days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The sheer severity of the recession has taken even the most pessimistic analysts by surprise.

The Guardian - Opinion

Don't watch The Tribe back-to-back with Hard to Be a God (Arrow, 15): the sheer severity of the undertaking could put your back out.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In the era of the big man, the hits have seemingly got bigger and the perception is that injuries have grown both in their severity and sheer numbers.

Independent

I don't think it's the adrenalin but the severity of the conditions and the sheer magnitude of the terrain.

Independent

Hone said, when both sets were done on Sunday night: "I hope we kept some of the album's charm" – and it was an apposite, if surprising, choice of word: yes, there is exactly that, a decorum born of balancing severity of purpose, musicianship for the sheer joy of it – and pastiche.

The Guardian - Music

With the severity in Hempel's portrait comes a large measure of sheer disgustingness.

The New Yorker

He stands out as a whistleblower both because of the severity of the crimes and misconduct that he is divulging to the public – and the sheer amount of evidence he has presented us with so far – more is coming.

The Guardian - Opinion

The sheer scale of JPMorgan's consumer banking business, and the ubiquity of its online presence, underscore the severity of the breach.

Huffington Post

Sheer fear, sheer terror.

Independent

Sheer illusion.

The New York Times - Books

Sheer genius.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation's intensity, use "sheer severity" to emphasize the unadulterated and profound nature of its harshness. This phrase is best employed to highlight the unexpected or overwhelming degree of a negative condition.

Common error

Avoid using "sheer severity" when a milder term like "significant impact" would suffice. The phrase carries a strong negative connotation and should be reserved for situations where the degree of harshness is truly exceptional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sheer severity" functions as an intensifying adjective phrase modifying the noun "severity". It emphasizes the magnitude or degree of the severity being described. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English to describe an extreme or intense level of harshness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sheer severity" is a phrase used to emphasize the extreme intensity or harshness of a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, although its frequency is relatively rare. The phrase is primarily found in news and media contexts and serves to highlight the overwhelming nature of a negative condition. While grammatically sound, it's essential to use "sheer severity" judiciously, reserving it for situations where the degree of harshness is truly exceptional to avoid overuse in neutral contexts. Alternatives such as "utter severity", "extreme severity", and "absolute severity" can be considered to fine-tune the specific nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Utter severity

Replaces "sheer" with "utter", which similarly emphasizes the completeness or absoluteness of the severity.

Extreme severity

Substitutes "sheer" with "extreme", highlighting the intensity of the severity.

Absolute severity

Replaces "sheer" with "absolute", stressing the unrestricted or total nature of the severity.

Complete severity

Uses "complete" instead of "sheer", indicating the full extent of the severity.

Unmitigated severity

Adds "unmitigated" to emphasize that the severity is not lessened or softened in any way.

Intense severity

Changes "sheer" to "intense", focusing on the high degree or strength of the severity.

Great magnitude

Shifts the focus to the "magnitude" of the situation, implying a large or significant scale of impact.

Profound intensity

Combines "profound" and "intensity" to suggest a deep and powerful level of effect.

Exceptional intensity

Emphasizes that the intensity is beyond the ordinary.

Remarkable intensity

Highlights the noteworthiness of the intensity of the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "sheer severity" in a sentence?

You can use "sheer severity" to emphasize the extreme intensity of a situation. For example: "The "sheer severity" of the storm caused widespread damage."

What are some alternatives to "sheer severity"?

Some alternatives to "sheer severity" include "utter severity", "extreme severity", or "absolute severity", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "sheer severity" formal or informal language?

"Sheer severity" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but it's most effective in situations where you want to convey a strong sense of intensity or harshness.

When is it appropriate to use "sheer severity"?

It's appropriate to use "sheer severity" when describing a situation where the degree of harshness or strictness is unexpectedly high or overwhelming. It emphasizes the magnitude and intensity of the negative condition.