What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
serious
Example
The doctor said that her condition was serious. [serious: adjective]
Example
He had a serious expression on his face during the meeting. [serious: adjective]
Example
The article discussed the serious implications of climate change. [serious: adjective]
critical
Example
The next few hours will be critical for her recovery. [critical: adjective]
Example
She can be very critical of other people's work. [critical: adjective]
Example
It is critical that we finish this project by the end of the week. [critical: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Serious is more commonly used than critical in everyday language. Serious is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while critical is more specific and often used in professional or technical settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between serious and critical?
Both serious and critical can be used in formal and informal contexts, but critical is more commonly used in professional or technical settings where evaluation or decision-making is required.
