sounds severe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sounds severe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that appears to be serious, harsh, or intense in nature. Example: "The weather forecast indicates a storm is approaching, and the warnings from the meteorologist sound severe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

This sounds severe, but there's no other decent way to compare apples to apples.

The New York Times

The subtitle to Anatol Lieven's Pakistan: a hard country (Allen Lane, £30) sounds severe, but in many eyes is far too mild.

Independent

It sounds severe, but you're never going to change yourself, or feel better if you have basically the same thing you started with.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"It sounded severe".

The New York Times

And to sound severe, such curbs must be stronger than the laws in place, which in turn were proposed by politicians who wished to appear tough themselves.

The Economist

That might sound severe, but I've been dealing for on and off 10 years, and in that time I've realised that most of my clients are one of a few pretty standard character types, and that all of those character types are people who are objectively not fun to be around.

Vice

Tornadoes are also not the only source of such sounds in severe thunderstorms; any strong, damaging wind, a severe hail volley, or continuous thunder in a thunderstorm may produce a roaring sound.

Wikipedia

"I know it sounds pretty severe," Mr. Bouckaert said.

The New York Times

He answered the call, went to the apartment and was shot in the shoulder, a wound that sounds less severe than it was, for he was struck from the side and the bullet passed horizontally through his chest, piercing both lungs.

The New York Times

The examination revealed diminished bibasilar breath sounds and severe abdominal distension with massive hepatosplenomegaly along with profound anasarca.

BMC Nephrology

Regarding "law and order", Trump sounded as severe as Nixon.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sounds severe", ensure that the context provides enough information for the reader to understand why it sounds severe. This often involves describing the potential consequences or the intensity of the situation.

Common error

While "sounds severe" is grammatically correct, it can sometimes come across as overly dramatic or formal in casual conversations. Consider using more relaxed alternatives like "that's rough" or "that's intense" when communicating informally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sounds severe" functions as a descriptive expression, typically used to convey an initial assessment or impression of a situation, condition, or statement as being serious or intense. As noted by Ludwig, it's a grammatically correct phrase that is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sounds severe" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that conveys an initial impression of seriousness or intensity. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct. While it is versatile, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. Consider factors like context and audience when using it, as overuse in informal settings may seem overly dramatic. When it comes to alternatives, it can be replaced with "seems critical", "appears grave", or "is alarmingly serious", depending on the desired nuance. As the number of examples are limited, it's important to be mindful of overusing "sounds severe".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems critical

Replaces "sounds" with "seems" and "severe" with "critical", indicating a serious situation.

appears grave

Substitutes "sounds" with "appears" and "severe" with "grave", emphasizing a serious and worrying situation.

is alarmingly serious

Replaces "sounds" with "is" and "severe" with "alarmingly serious", adding emphasis on the alarming nature of the situation.

comes across as drastic

Uses "comes across" instead of "sounds" and "drastic" instead of "severe", highlighting the extreme nature of something.

presents as acute

Replaces "sounds" with "presents" and "severe" with "acute", suggesting a sharp or intense nature.

strikes as intense

Uses "strikes" instead of "sounds" and "intense" instead of "severe", focusing on the high degree or strength.

has a serious ring to it

Replaces "sounds severe" with an idiomatic expression conveying a sense of seriousness.

suggests high consequence

Focuses on the potential negative outcomes, replacing "sounds severe" with a phrase that emphasizes the weighty implications.

projects a grim picture

Emphasizes the negative or pessimistic outlook, replacing "sounds severe" with a phrase that paints a dark scenario.

indicates critical nature

Substitutes "sounds" with "indicates" and "severe" with "critical nature", which means that the situation requires immediate attention.

FAQs

How can I use "sounds severe" in a sentence?

You can use "sounds severe" to describe a situation, warning, or diagnosis that appears to be serious or critical. For example, "The doctor said my diagnosis "sounds severe", but he assured me it's treatable."

What can I say instead of "sounds severe"?

You can use alternatives like "seems critical", "appears grave", or "is alarmingly serious" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "sounds severe" in formal writing?

Yes, "sounds severe" is generally appropriate for formal writing, particularly when describing situations with serious implications. However, ensure that the tone aligns with the overall formality of the piece.

What's the difference between "sounds severe" and "is severe"?

"Sounds severe" implies that something appears to be severe based on initial information or perception, while "is severe" suggests that the severity has been confirmed or is an established fact. For example, "The initial report "sounds severe", but further investigation showed the damage "was not critical"."