that was severe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was severe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, event, or action that was intense, harsh, or extreme in nature. Example: "The storm last night was unexpected, and the damage it caused to the neighborhood was severe."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

The mean NRS scores from the mBPI-sf suggested current pain of moderate severity (6.40 ± 2.19), and pain-related sleep interference that was severe (7.28 ± 2.23).

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

This opened a persecution of icon venerators that was severe in the reign of Leo's successor, Constantine V (741 775).

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1985, there was an earthquake that was severe enough to disconnect a police pier in the East River from its moorings in Brooklyn.

The New Yorker

If we could identify a rash that was severe or covered a large part of the body, the school nurse sent them home.

The New York Times - Magazine

Raf Simons at Jil Sander seemed hellbent for leather — the sometimes sinister show evoked "American Psycho" and "The Matrix" in equal measure — showing a glossy black belted trench coat that was severe and stunning.

The New York Times

Largely confined in the 19th century to the harbourside area of the city called Skid Road, African Americans faced a pattern of discrimination that was severe even by the discriminatory standards of the American West of the time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

We've had a brain drain that's severe.

The New York Times

The crown's case is that the mistreatment amounted to torture, that is severe pain and suffering".

The Guardian

About 28percentt of survivors had illnesses that were severe, life-threatening or disabling, compared with 5percentt of siblings.

The New York Times

"We're talking about something that is severe, meaning it's disabling and distressing and is not transient".

The New York Times

In a deposition last year, David Cohen said that Hadid lost his position in the Intelligence Division because of "performance issues that were severe enough to warrant his departure".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that was severe", ensure the context clearly establishes what 'that' refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader. For example, instead of "The impact was severe", specify, "The impact of the hurricane was severe".

Common error

While grammatically correct, avoid using "that was severe" in overly casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler, more relatable terms like "that was really bad" or "that was awful" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was severe" primarily functions as a descriptive expression, characterizing a preceding situation, event, or entity as intense, harsh, or extreme. As Ludwig AI highlights, it accurately conveys a high degree of impact or intensity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that was severe" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe situations, events, or actions characterized by a high degree of intensity, harshness, or extremity. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides various real-world examples. While the phrase is appropriate for formal and neutral registers, it should be used judiciously in casual contexts. Alternatives like "that was intense" or "that was extreme" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. The analysis reveals it is most frequently encountered in scientific and news contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was harsh

Replaces 'severe' with 'harsh', indicating a rough or cruel quality.

that was intense

Replaces 'severe' with 'intense', highlighting the high degree of force or emotion involved.

that was extreme

Substitutes 'severe' with 'extreme', emphasizing the outermost limit or degree of something.

that was acute

Uses 'acute' instead of 'severe', suggesting a sudden and sharp onset or intensity.

that was drastic

Employs 'drastic' in place of 'severe', pointing to a radical or forceful measure.

that was critical

Replaces 'severe' with 'critical', implying a situation is at a turning point or extremely important.

that was grave

Uses 'grave' instead of 'severe', suggesting a serious or solemn nature.

that was terrible

Replaces 'severe' with 'terrible', indicating something extremely bad or unpleasant.

that was awful

Substitutes 'severe' with 'awful', conveying a sense of something dreadful or appalling.

that was rigorous

Substitutes 'severe' with 'rigorous' implying a demanding and thorough character.

FAQs

How can I use "that was severe" in a sentence?

Use "that was severe" to describe the intensity, harshness, or extremity of a situation. For example, "The damage from the earthquake "that was severe" required extensive repairs." or "The criticism "that was severe" caused him to reconsider his approach".

What phrases are similar to "that was severe"?

Similar phrases include "that was intense", "that was extreme", "that was harsh", and "that was critical". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "that was severe" in formal writing?

Yes, "that was severe" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in academic, scientific, or professional contexts where you need to describe the degree or intensity of something. However, ensure the tone remains objective and avoids exaggeration.

What's the difference between "that was severe" and "that was serious"?

While both describe something significant, "that was severe" emphasizes the intensity or degree of impact, while "that was serious" emphasizes the potential consequences or importance of the situation. For example, a "severe injury" suggests a high degree of physical harm, while a "serious mistake" implies significant negative outcomes.