substantially more serious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantially more serious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that is significantly more severe or grave than another. Example: "The consequences of ignoring the warning could be substantially more serious than we initially anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Senator Kent Conrad, Democrat of North Dakota and chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, said Mr. Obama had to persuade Americans that the recession is "substantially more serious" than was apparent even a few weeks ago and that "it is going to take a series of steps, not just one economic recovery package" to survive it.

The New York Times

There is little to be gained from Trudeau clinging to Morneau as he courts being put through a second, substantially more serious, ethics investigation is as many months.

Vice

In the context of the law of attempts, the Crown Prosecution Service advises that "where the evidence demonstrates that the suspect intended to cause an injury that is substantially more serious than that (if any) which was in fact caused, prosecutors should consider the circumstances of the case as a whole as well as the relevant sentencing guideline to determine the appropriate charge".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

By adopting a universal strategy of disinfecting the most vulnerable patients, hospitals could make substantially more progress against serious infections that are contracted in health care settings, the researchers say.

The New York Times

In a recent report, the Commons Transport Committee said it was "hard to justify parking fines that are substantially more than the fines for more serious offences like speeding", for which the minimum penalty is £100 and three penalty points added to the offender's licence.

BBC

A criminal record with more serious crimes may substantially affect your ability to become certified.

WikiHow

Two drugs that are substantially more effective, Tysabri and Gilenya, come with serious risks including, in rare cases, death.

The New York Times - Health

President Obama's proposed budget for fiscal-year 2012 does call for a mix of tax increases and tax cuts, but he hasn't made a serious effort to explain the need for substantially more revenue.

The New York Times

Different from the existing results, the systems under investigation possess more serious nonlinearities and unknown control coefficients which substantially increase the difficulty of output-feedback controller design.

Acta Automatica Sinica

Including even minor problems captured substantially more of the association with function compared to including only serious problems.

BMC Public Health

Including even minor problems captured substantially more of the variance in functional status than including only serious problems.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantially more serious", ensure that the context clearly establishes the baseline for comparison. For instance, specify what the situation is more serious than.

Common error

Avoid using "substantially more serious" hyperbolically. Ensure that the situation genuinely warrants the elevated level of concern you're conveying.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantially more serious" functions as an intensifying modifier, specifically serving to amplify the adjective "serious". As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and used to emphasize the gravity of a situation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "substantially more serious" is a grammatically correct and effective way to emphasize that a situation is significantly more severe than another. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its usage is relatively rare. It's suitable for various contexts, especially in news, science, and general discussions, aiming to highlight the heightened gravity or potential consequences of an issue. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly define the baseline for comparison and avoid hyperbolic applications to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantially more dire

Implies a more desperate and urgent situation.

considerably graver

Emphasizes the significant increase in the gravity of a situation.

significantly worse

Focuses on the notable deterioration or worsening of a situation.

considerably more critical

Emphasizes the significantly heightened importance or urgency.

markedly more critical

Highlights the heightened level of urgency and criticality.

far more alarming

Indicates a greater level of concern or fear.

noticeably more acute

Draws attention to the sharper and more intense nature of a problem.

appreciably more alarming

Stresses the increased level of concern and potential danger.

materially more consequential

Underscores the greater impact and significance of the outcomes.

distinctly more troubling

Emphasizes the more unsettling and disturbing aspects of a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "substantially more serious" in a sentence?

You can use "substantially more serious" to describe a situation that is significantly more severe than another. For example, "The economic recession is "substantially more serious" than initially predicted".

What phrases are similar to "substantially more serious"?

Similar phrases include "considerably graver", "significantly worse", or "markedly more critical", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "substantially more serious" in writing?

It is appropriate when you need to emphasize that a situation or problem has escalated to a significantly higher level of severity or risk compared to a previous state or alternative scenario.

Is there a difference in formality between "substantially more serious" and other similar phrases?

The phrase "substantially more serious" is generally considered neutral in tone and suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, phrases like "considerably graver" might lean slightly towards a more formal register.