strong criticism

USAGE SUMMARY

"strong criticism" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English, and can be used in any context in which criticism is appropriate.
For example: "The historian leveled strong criticism at the president's decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Connelly's portrayal of Sarah polarized critics and received strong criticism from some reviewers.

Wikipedia

But gun control opponents expressed strong criticism.

The New York Times

It contained strong criticism of Orthodox Judaism.

The Guardian

Autoportrait has provoked strong criticism.

The Guardian - Arts

This policy mix has been subject to strong criticism.

Energy Policy

Fraihi faced strong criticism because of her book.

University of California, Berkeley

The punishments drew strong criticism from rights groups.

The New York Times

"We agree with the president's very strong criticism.

The Washington Post

He drew some strong criticism at the time.

The New York Times

Religious leaders across faiths also added strong criticism.

The Guardian

The blockade also drew strong criticism from the United States.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "strong criticism", ensure the context clearly indicates the subject and basis of the criticism to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "strong criticism of the government's economic policies" rather than just "strong criticism".

Common error

Avoid using "strong criticism" as a generic phrase. Instead, specify the nature and object of the criticism for greater clarity and impact. For example, instead of "The plan faced strong criticism", try "The plan faced "widespread opposition" due to its environmental impact."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strong criticism" functions as a noun phrase, where "strong" modifies the noun "criticism". Ludwig examples show it describing the intensity of disapproval directed towards a subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strong criticism" is a commonly used phrase to denote intense disapproval. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for formal writing. While versatile, its impact is maximized when the subject of the criticism is explicitly mentioned. Alternatives such as "harsh disapproval" or "severe censure" can be used to add nuance. Remember to avoid vagueness and specify the focus of the criticism for maximum clarity and effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harsh disapproval

Replaces "criticism" with "disapproval" and "strong" with "harsh", emphasizing the severity of the negative judgment.

severe censure

Uses "censure" to mean strong disapproval, adding a formal tone, and replaces "strong" with "severe".

scathing critique

Uses "critique" instead of "criticism" and "scathing" for "strong", implying a thorough and damaging analysis.

vehement objection

Substitutes "criticism" with "objection" and "strong" with "vehement", indicating a forceful expression of disagreement.

fierce condemnation

Replaces "criticism" with "condemnation" and "strong" with "fierce", suggesting moral outrage.

bitter disapproval

Substitutes "criticism" with "disapproval" and "strong" with "bitter", conveying a sense of resentment.

pointed rebukes

Replaces "criticism" with "rebukes" and "strong" with "pointed", suggesting a direct and sharp disapproval.

vigorous denunciation

Uses "denunciation" instead of "criticism" and "vigorous" for "strong", indicating a public and energetic condemnation.

sharp reprimand

Replaces "criticism" with "reprimand" and "strong" with "sharp", implying an official rebuke.

forceful disagreement

Uses "disagreement" in place of "criticism" and "forceful" for "strong", indicating a firm opposition.

FAQs

How can I use "strong criticism" in a sentence?

You can use "strong criticism" to describe disapproval. For example: "The policy drew "strong criticism" from environmental groups", or "The book contained "strong criticism" of the government".

What are some alternatives to "strong criticism"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "harsh disapproval", "severe censure", or "vehement objection", depending on the context and the degree of disapproval you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify the target of "strong criticism"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the target of the ""strong criticism"" enhances clarity. Instead of saying "The project received "strong criticism"", clarify by stating, "The project received "strong criticism" from local residents".

What distinguishes "strong criticism" from "mild criticism"?

"Strong criticism" implies a forceful and intense level of disapproval, while "mild criticism" suggests a gentler, less severe form of critique. The choice depends on the intensity of the disapproval you want to convey.