very serious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very serious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the gravity or importance of a situation or issue. Example: "The consequences of ignoring climate change are very serious and require immediate action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Very serious".

The New York Times

"It's very serious business".

The New York Times - Arts

Everyone looked very serious.

The New Yorker

Carlos becomes very serious.

Independent

He's very serious".

The New Yorker

But they're Very Serious.

The New York Times

Very serious guy.

The New York Times - Travel

They are very serious.

The New Yorker

Ruben was very serious.

The New York Times

This is very serious".

The New York Times

Very serious case!

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very serious" when you want to emphasize the potential negative consequences or high stakes associated with a situation or decision.

Common error

Avoid overusing "very" in your writing. While "very serious" is acceptable, consider stronger, more specific adjectives like "critical", "grave", or "urgent" for greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very serious" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. According to Ludwig AI, it's used to intensify the seriousness of a situation, issue, or person.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "very serious" is a common and grammatically sound way to emphasize the gravity of a situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys importance and potential negative consequences. While widely used across various contexts, including news and media, formal business settings, and even wiki articles, it's essential to be mindful of potential overuse and to consider more specific and impactful adjectives when appropriate. When you're looking for a strong expression of concern or consequence, "very serious" is a solid option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely grave

This alternative highlights the severe or critical nature of a situation.

highly critical

This alternative emphasizes the importance and potential consequences of a situation.

profoundly important

This alternative stresses the deep significance and far-reaching implications.

deeply concerning

This alternative focuses on the worrying or troubling aspect of a situation.

gravely important

This highlights the weight and potential impact of something.

majorly important

Highlights how essential something is.

terribly important

This alternative conveys the immense importance of something in a more emphatic way.

decisively consequential

This alternative points the defining impact of a situation.

utterly critical

This alternative emphasizes the absolute necessity of something.

major league

An expression that can denote quality, in a similar fashion to seriousness.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "very serious"?

Alternatives include "extremely grave", "highly critical", or "profoundly important" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "very serious"?

Use "very serious" when you want to emphasize the significant negative consequences or potential risks associated with a situation. It's appropriate in both formal and informal contexts.

Is "very serious" too informal for academic writing?

While generally acceptable, academic writing often benefits from more precise language. Consider using alternatives like "critical" or "significant" for a more formal tone.

How can I make my writing more impactful than just saying "very serious"?

Choose stronger, more descriptive adjectives that convey the specific nature of the seriousness. For example, instead of "very serious consequences", you could say "dire consequences" or "catastrophic consequences".