Even worse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Even worse" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a situation or fact that is more negative or severe than what has already been mentioned. Example: "The weather was terrible yesterday, but even worse, the power went out for several hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even worse".

The New Yorker

Even worse, he says.

The Guardian

Even worse, "Transcendence" is tame.

The New Yorker

Even worse than meaningless — destructive.

The New Yorker

Even worse, few returned.

Science Magazine

Even worse crises are looming.

Science Magazine

Or even worse.

The New Yorker

Haarlem is even worse!

Independent

"It got even worse".

The New York Times

Head feels even worse.

The New Yorker

Investors fared even worse.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "even worse" to clearly indicate that the subsequent information is more negative or severe than what was previously mentioned. This helps create a sense of escalation or emphasizes the gravity of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "even worse" when simply adding a similar negative point without it being a genuine escalation. Ensure there's a clear distinction in severity between the initial negative point and the one introduced by "even worse".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even worse" functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a statement by intensifying the degree of negativity or severity. Ludwig AI validates its typical function as intensifying degree.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science & Research

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "even worse" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to amplify the negativity of a situation. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically sound and appropriate for both neutral and informal registers, it’s prevalent across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic content. Its function is to intensify the degree of a negative statement and to emphasize a situation's decline. When writing, using "even worse" effectively can underscore the severity of circumstances, ensuring clear communication of worsening conditions. However, remember to ensure a clear distinction in severity for appropriate comparisons. Consider using alternatives like "to make matters worse" or "what's more unfortunate" based on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It gets worse

A more conversational and direct way of signaling that the situation is deteriorating.

To make matters worse

Indicates that the situation is deteriorating, adding a sense of increased difficulty.

Worse still

A slightly more formal way of saying "even worse", emphasizing the aggravation of the situation.

What's more unfortunate

Replaces "even worse" to introduce an additional, undesirable fact but sounds more detached.

On top of that

Highlights that something additional is compounding the current issue.

As if that weren't enough

Expresses surprise at the worsening situation.

More alarmingly

Adds an element of concern or urgency about the worsening situation.

Things went from bad to worse

Describes a continuous decline from a bad situation to an even more difficult one.

To compound the problem

Highlights an element that increases the issue or difficulty.

Adding insult to injury

Emphasizes unfairness.

FAQs

How can I use "even worse" in a sentence?

"Even worse" is used to indicate that something is more negative or severe than something already mentioned. For example: "The traffic was terrible, "even worse", it started raining."

What are some alternatives to saying "even worse"?

You can use phrases like "to make matters worse", "what's more unfortunate", or "it gets worse" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "even worse" grammatically correct?

Yes, "even worse" is a grammatically correct phrase used to intensify a negative situation or condition.

What is the difference between "worse" and "even worse"?

"Worse" indicates a negative comparison, while ""even worse"" intensifies the comparison, suggesting a significantly greater degree of negativity.