very brutal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very brutal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the extreme severity or harshness of a situation, action, or event. Example: "The documentary depicted the very brutal realities of war, leaving viewers in shock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Society

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He was very brutal.

The New Yorker

But still, very brutal.

The New York Times

"It's very brutal.

The Guardian - Sport

"It was very brutal, like warfare".

The New York Times

It is a very brutal sport.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was very brutal," he said.

The New York Times

It is also very brutal.

The Guardian

It's a very brutal practice.

The New Yorker

"The whole process is very brutal.

The Guardian

"But it was also becoming very brutal.

The New York Times - Arts

It's all very brutal and grim.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events or situations, use "very brutal" to emphasize the extreme and often shocking nature of violence or harsh treatment. This is especially effective in news reporting, historical accounts, or fictional narratives where you want to convey the severity of the subject.

Common error

While "very brutal" effectively conveys intensity, avoid overusing it in casual conversation or light-hearted content. Its strong connotation can be jarring or inappropriate in less serious contexts, potentially diluting its impact when used in situations that genuinely warrant such emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very brutal" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe it as extremely harsh or cruel. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use to intensify the adjective "brutal,", highlighting the severity of a situation or action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Film

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very brutal" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to emphasize the extreme severity or harshness of something. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability in written English. It's commonly found in news and media, film, and society contexts. While its intensity makes it less suitable for casual conversation, it effectively conveys a strong sense of shock or condemnation. Consider alternatives like "extremely savage" or "intensely cruel" for nuanced communication. Always be mindful of the context to ensure appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely savage

Changes "brutal" to "savage" and "very" to "extremely", amplifying intensity.

intensely cruel

Replaces "brutal" with "cruel" and "very" with "intensely", shifting focus to causing suffering.

utterly merciless

Substitutes "brutal" with "merciless" and "very" with "utterly", highlighting a lack of compassion.

exceptionally ruthless

Replaces "brutal" with "ruthless" and "very" with "exceptionally", emphasizing a lack of pity.

highly ferocious

Changes "brutal" to "ferocious" and "very" to "highly", focusing on wild aggression.

incredibly harsh

Substitutes "brutal" with "harsh" and "very" with "incredibly", softening the tone while maintaining severity.

remarkably severe

Replaces "brutal" with "severe" and "very" with "remarkably", adding a sense of formality and significance.

terribly callous

Changes "brutal" to "callous" and "very" to "terribly", emphasizing indifference to suffering.

absolutely inhumane

Substitutes "brutal" with "inhumane" and "very" with "absolutely", highlighting a lack of human compassion.

downright barbaric

Replaces "brutal" with "barbaric" and "very" with "downright", focusing on uncivilized cruelty.

FAQs

How can I use "very brutal" in a sentence?

Use "very brutal" to describe something extremely harsh, cruel, or violent. For example, "The regime's suppression of dissent was "very brutal"" or "The competition was "very brutal", with many contestants dropping out due to exhaustion".

What are some alternatives to "very brutal"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "extremely savage", "intensely cruel", or "utterly merciless". Each emphasizes a slightly different aspect of harshness or cruelty.

Is it redundant to say "very brutal", or is it grammatically correct?

Saying "very brutal" is grammatically correct and serves to emphasize the degree of brutality. While "brutal" itself implies a high level of harshness, adding "very" intensifies the description further.

In what situations is it most appropriate to use the phrase "very brutal"?

The phrase "very brutal" is appropriate in situations where you need to convey an extreme level of harshness, cruelty, or violence. This can include describing historical events, acts of violence, or even competitive situations where the level of intensity is exceptionally high. Always consider the context and audience to ensure it is used appropriately.