harshness v. sternness v. severity

[hhtt21]

"The children feared tehir neighbor because of her severity." Would you please like to express what this sentence can probably mean?

Can it mean that the neighbor sometimes beat the children?

Thank you.

 

[emsr2d2]

"The children feared [STRIKE]tehir[/STRIKE] their neighbor because of her severity." Would you please like to express what this sentence can probably mean?

Can it mean that the neighbor sometimes beat the children?

Thank you.

I wouldn't be completely sure what the writer meant by "her severity". They might have just meant that the neighbour is rather bad-tempered, grumpy and perhaps shouts at them. "Severe" doesn't have a specific definition when used as an adjective for a person.

 

[hhtt21]

I wouldn't be completely sure what the writer meant by "her severity". They might have just meant that the neighbour is rather bad-tempered, grumpy and perhaps shouts at them. "Severe" doesn't have a specific definition when used as an adjective for a person.

Its meaning is given via synonyms as "harsh, stern, very strict" By very strict, I understand that she spoke with them not to be naughty around her and gave children the affect that she will never let them to be naughty.

What do you think?

Thank you.

 

[emsr2d2]

Its meaning is given via synonyms as "harsh, stern, very strict" By very strict, I understand that she [STRIKE]spoke with[/STRIKE] told them not to be naughty around her and gave children the [STRIKE]affect[/STRIKE] impression that she will never let them [STRIKE]to[/STRIKE] be naughty.

What do you think?

Thank you.

Those are possible interpretations.

 

[hhtt21]

Those are possible interpretations.

Does interpretation here mean "situation" ?

Thank you.

 

[emsr2d2]

Have you looked up "interpretation" in a dictionary? Bookmark OneLook for future use.

 

[hhtt21]

Have you looked up "interpretation" in a dictionary? Bookmark OneLook for future use.

I have looked Newbury House American English but it was not mean situation there, but it seems to me it means situation here.

Thank you.

 

[hhtt21]

Which of the following is idiomatic, correct and in the same sense with the others?

1) The children feared their neighbor because of her severity.

2) "The children feared their neighbor because of her harshness

3) "The children feared their neighbor because of her sternness

Thank you

 

[GoesStation]

2 and 3 are the best.

 

[emsr2d2]

2 and 3 would be correct if they ended with a full stop.