so severely that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "so severely that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the extent of an action or situation that leads to a significant consequence or result. Example: "The storm damaged the roof so severely that it required immediate repairs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Wilson tightened academic standards so severely that enrollment declined sharply until 1907.

Princeton University

Her heart had broken so severely that her body and mind broke, too.

The New York Times

One day, she'd twisted her back so severely that she'd collapsed in pain on the sidewalk.

The New Yorker

Four women in the study bled so severely that they needed transfusions.

The New York Times

Recently, Schwayna was shocked so severely that the entire bottom of her foot turned black.

The New York Times

As a teen, our daughter picked her skin so severely that people thought she was a meth addict.

Harvard University

Many chemotherapy drugs work by damaging cancer cells' DNA so severely that the cells are forced to commit cellular suicide.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The brain constrains the design of an efficient writing system so severely that there is little room for cultural relativism.

The New Yorker

Two truckloads of private gunmen arrived and beat up the offending officer so severely that he required hospitalization.

The New York Times

For that he had to be punished so severely that no one would ever try to do the same again.

Independent

Now GM, like Ford and Chrysler, has slashed them so severely that they are only slightly higher.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "so severely that", ensure the severity is justified by the context. Overuse can weaken the impact; reserve it for situations where the consequence is truly significant.

Common error

Avoid using "so severely that" for minor inconveniences or slightly negative outcomes. It creates hyperbole and diminishes the phrase's effectiveness when describing genuinely serious situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so severely that" functions as an adverbial intensifier followed by a conjunction, indicating the degree or extent to which an action or situation leads to a specific consequence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides numerous examples of its proper use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

20%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "so severely that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate a significant consequence resulting from an action or situation. As shown by Ludwig, it appears most commonly in news and academic contexts, with a neutral register that makes it suitable for various writing styles. While highly usable, it's important to ensure the severity is warranted by the context to avoid hyperbole. Alternatives such as "to such a degree that" or "so badly that" can offer variations in tone and formality. Ludwig AI validates the phrase's correctness and provides ample examples of its proper usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to such a degree that

Changes the phrasing to a more formal tone while retaining the core meaning of a significant consequence.

to the extent that

Uses a slightly more formal structure, emphasizing the limit or boundary of the initial action's impact.

so badly that

Replaces "severely" with a more common and less formal synonym, maintaining the sense of negative impact.

so seriously that

Substitutes "severely" with "seriously", which is similar in meaning but can sometimes imply a more formal or grave situation.

with such severity that

Inverts the sentence structure slightly to emphasize the severity as a characteristic of the action.

as a result of which

Introduces a causal relationship more explicitly, suitable for formal writing.

such that it

Offers a slightly different construction, less focused on the adverbial intensity but still expressing a consequence.

so intensely that

Emphasizes the intensity of the action as the cause of the subsequent result.

to a point where

Indicates a threshold being crossed, leading to a specific outcome.

with the result that

Clearly indicates that the initial action had a direct consequence.

FAQs

How can I use "so severely that" in a sentence?

Use "so severely that" to emphasize the magnitude of an action or event and its significant consequence. For example, "The hurricane damaged the coast "so severely that" entire towns had to be rebuilt."

What are some alternatives to "so severely that"?

You can use alternatives like "to such a degree that", "to the extent that", or "so badly that" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "so severely that" or "so serious that"?

The choice depends on the context. "So severely that" emphasizes the intensity of the action, while "so serious that" highlights the gravity of the situation. "So severely that" often implies a physical or tangible impact, while "so serious that" can refer to abstract issues.

Can "so severely that" be used in both formal and informal writing?

While usable in both, "so severely that" is more common in formal or neutral writing. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "so badly that" might be more appropriate.