What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
harshly
Example
The teacher spoke harshly to the student who was not paying attention. [harshly: adverb]
Example
The punishment for breaking the rules was harshly enforced. [harshly: adverb]
severely
Example
The patient was severely injured in the accident and required immediate medical attention. [severely: adverb]
Example
The company was fined severely for violating environmental regulations. [severely: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Harshly is more commonly used than severely in everyday language. Harshly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while severely is less common and typically used in specific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between harshly and severely?
Both harshly and severely can be used in formal and informal contexts, but severely may be considered more formal due to its association with legal or disciplinary language.
