swift and severe

USAGE SUMMARY

"swift and severe" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that something is done quickly and decisively, with strictness and intensity. For example, "The judge handed down a swift and severe punishment for the convicted criminal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

The fallout was swift and severe.

The Economist

The market's reaction was swift and severe.

The New Yorker

Illness often used to be swift and severe.

Harvard University

The blowback from the industry was swift and severe.

The New York Times

3. (C) The response from Pyongyang was predictably swift and severe.

The Guardian

Cholera can be swift and severe, capable of killing within hours.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Roosevelt's military commission was swift, secret and severe, so some urged President Bush to dust it off and use it again.

The Guardian - Opinion

The court is one of 56 dedicated courts set up throughout South Africa to deal swift, summary and severe deterrents during the monthlong World Cup.

The New York Times - Sports

The lesson of High Point is that you can reduce crime by making credible threats, without having to lock up so many people.To deter, a punishment must be swift, certain and severe.

The Economist

Those refraining from mourning or showing solidarity toward his passing has been met with swift and somewhat severe repercussions.

Vice

"And if they do not stop," Kennedy said, "the consequences will be swift, and certain, and severe, and punishment will be handed out not just to the individual involved in the shooting but to everyone in that individual's gang".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "swift and severe" to emphasize the speed and intensity of a response or consequence, creating a sense of urgency and gravity.

Common error

While "swift and severe" is a powerful phrase, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly dramatic or out of place.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "swift and severe" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe the nature of an action, response, or consequence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct. Examples in Ludwig show its use to describe punishment, reactions, and impacts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "swift and severe" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to emphasize the speed and intensity of a reaction or consequence. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, as well as Formal & Business and Academic contexts, it conveys a sense of urgency and seriousness. Related phrases include "rapid and harsh" and "immediate and drastic", offering alternative ways to express similar ideas. While powerful, it's best to avoid overusing "swift and severe" in casual contexts to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rapid and harsh

Replaces 'swift' with 'rapid' and 'severe' with 'harsh', emphasizing speed and unpleasantness.

immediate and drastic

Substitutes 'swift' with 'immediate' and 'severe' with 'drastic', focusing on immediacy and impactful changes.

prompt and rigorous

Changes 'swift' to 'prompt' and 'severe' to 'rigorous', highlighting quick action and thoroughness.

quick and forceful

Replaces 'swift' with 'quick' and 'severe' with 'forceful', stressing speed and strength.

expeditious and stringent

Uses 'expeditious' in place of 'swift' and 'stringent' for 'severe', indicating efficiency and strict control.

sudden and intense

Substitutes 'swift' with 'sudden' and 'severe' with 'intense', emphasizing the unexpected and powerful nature.

sharp and punitive

Changes 'swift' to 'sharp' and 'severe' to 'punitive', focusing on the incisive and disciplinary aspects.

decisive and acute

Uses 'decisive' for 'swift' and 'acute' for 'severe', highlighting the conclusiveness and sharpness.

instant and oppressive

Substitutes 'swift' with 'instant' and 'severe' with 'oppressive', emphasizing the immediacy and burden.

fast and uncompromising

Replaces 'swift' with 'fast' and 'severe' with 'uncompromising', focusing on speed and inflexibility.

FAQs

How can I use "swift and severe" in a sentence?

Use "swift and severe" to describe a reaction or consequence that is both fast and forceful. For instance, "The company promised a swift and severe response to any data breaches."

What are some alternatives to "swift and severe"?

You can use alternatives like "rapid and harsh", "immediate and drastic", or "prompt and rigorous" depending on the context.

Is "swift and severe" appropriate for all types of writing?

While grammatically correct, "swift and severe" is best suited for formal writing, news reporting, or situations where you want to convey a sense of urgency and seriousness. Avoid overusing it in casual settings.

Which is the best way to emphasize the impact of a consequence, "swift and severe" or "harsh and immediate"?

"Swift and severe" emphasizes both the speed and intensity of the consequence, while "harsh and immediate" focuses more on its unpleasantness and immediacy. The best choice depends on which aspect you want to highlight.