too severe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "too severe" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an action or punishment that is deemed unjust or excessive. For example, "The penalty for stealing was too severe for such a minor offense."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Surely Trigon was too severe.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some found them too severe.

The New York Times - Books

But they must not be too severe.

The Economist

But his injuries were too severe.

The New York Times

"The U.S. limitations were too severe.

The New Yorker

"It was monastic, but never too severe".

The New York Times

"It stops things from becoming too severe.

The Guardian - Arts

But the damage was too severe.

The New York Times - Sports

His PTSD would surely be too severe.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

For many modern women, the sacrifice is too severe.

Los Angeles Times

Pain after supratentorial neurosurgery was too severe and paracetamol was insufficient to relief it.

BMC Anesthesiology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "too severe", ensure that the context clearly establishes what standard or expectation is being exceeded. For instance, specify what the punishment is "too severe" for.

Common error

Avoid using "too severe" without providing context or evidence. Simply stating something is "too severe" without explaining why can weaken your argument and leave the reader unconvinced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "too severe" functions as an adjectival modifier, expressing that a particular quality or action exceeds an acceptable or justifiable level. It qualifies a noun or concept by indicating that it is excessively harsh, strict, or drastic. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

22%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "too severe" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is excessive or disproportionate. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It functions primarily as an adjectival modifier and serves to convey disagreement or disapproval. While versatile across different registers, it is most frequently encountered in News & Media and Science contexts. When using the phrase, ensure to provide sufficient context to justify the assertion of excessiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disproportionately punitive

Indicates the punishment is not in line with the offense.

inordinately drastic

Focuses on the unusual and excessive level of drastic action.

excessively harsh

Focuses on the harshness being beyond an acceptable level.

needlessly extreme

Highlights the lack of necessity for the extreme nature.

unduly strict

Highlights the lack of justification for the level of strictness.

unjustifiably stringent

Suggests there's no fair reason for such stringency.

unacceptably rigorous

Emphasizes that the level of rigor is not acceptable.

overly critical

Emphasizes the excessive nature of the criticism.

over the top

An informal way to express that something is excessive or exaggerated.

way too much

Informal way of saying it's excessively high or severe.

FAQs

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

You can use "too severe" to describe a punishment, condition, or measure that is excessive or disproportionate. For example, "The sentence was "too severe" for such a minor offense" or "The UV conditions are just "too severe" on Mars".

What are some alternatives to "too severe"?

Alternatives to "too severe" include "excessively harsh", "unduly strict", or "disproportionately punitive", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "too severe" in writing?

Use "too severe" when you want to express that something is excessive or goes beyond what is reasonable or justifiable. It is suitable in contexts ranging from legal judgments to evaluations of environmental conditions.

Is "too severe" formal or informal language?

"Too severe" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, be mindful of the specific audience and purpose of your writing to ensure it is appropriate.