aggravate the difference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "aggravate the difference" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations where a difference or disparity is made worse or intensified. Example: "The new policy may aggravate the difference between the two departments, leading to further conflict."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"An Emirati plot has been exposed to help aggravate the differences within the royal court".

The New Yorker

As we can see from Fig. 1, the daily wind power output will aggravate the peak-valley difference of the original load curve.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

The controversy over the memo threatens to further aggravate the differences between Pakistan's civilian government and the powerful military.

The New York Times

So will adding 40,000 more to the 68,000 already there make a difference to justify the additional annual cost of $10 billion to $40 billion, especially since they may aggravate the perception of Americans as occupiers?

The New York Times

You can aggravate the situation".

The New York Times

Economic pressures aggravate the situation.

The New York Times

Increased responsibilities may aggravate the problems.

The New York Times

Putting up taxes could aggravate the recession.

The Economist

Such outbursts only aggravate the situation.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Why did they aggravate the situation?

The Guardian - Opinion

It'll just aggravate the crisis.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "aggravate the difference" when you want to emphasize that an action or situation is making an existing disparity worse. Consider the intensity of the effect you wish to convey and choose a synonym if "aggravate" doesn't precisely capture the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "aggravate the difference" when you simply mean to highlight a difference without implying that it's being made worse. Choose a more neutral term like "highlight" or "emphasize" instead, if there is no negative implication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "aggravate the difference" functions as a verb phrase where "aggravate" is the verb and "the difference" is the object. It describes the action of making an existing difference worse or more pronounced. Ludwig provides real-world examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "aggravate the difference" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of making an existing disparity worse. Ludwig AI validates this usage with examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and scientific journals. While not extremely common, it's suitable for neutral to formal contexts, particularly in news and scientific writing. Remember to consider the specific nuance you wish to convey and choose a synonym if "aggravate" doesn't precisely capture your intended meaning. According to Ludwig, this phrase is perfectly usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exacerbate the difference

Replaces "aggravate" with "exacerbate", implying a more severe worsening.

worsen the difference

Uses "worsen" as a more general term for making the difference worse.

heighten the difference

Emphasizes making the difference more noticeable or prominent.

intensify the difference

Focuses on increasing the strength or degree of the difference.

magnify the difference

Suggests making the difference appear larger or more significant.

compound the difference

Implies adding to or increasing the difference.

amplify the difference

Similar to magnify, but with a sense of broadening the impact.

sharpen the difference

Highlights making the difference more distinct or clear-cut.

accentuate the difference

Focuses on drawing attention to the difference.

deepen the difference

Suggests making the difference more profound or substantial.

FAQs

How can I use "aggravate the difference" in a sentence?

You can use "aggravate the difference" when describing actions or situations that worsen an existing disparity. For example, "The new policy may "aggravate the difference" between the rich and the poor".

What are some alternatives to "aggravate the difference"?

Alternatives include "exacerbate the difference", "worsen the difference", or "intensify the difference", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "aggravate" to describe making a situation worse?

Yes, "aggravate" can be used to describe making a situation worse. In the context of ""aggravate the difference"", it means to make an existing disparity more pronounced or problematic.

What is the difference between "aggravate the difference" and "highlight the difference"?

"Aggravate the difference" implies making the difference worse or more problematic, while "highlight the difference" simply means to draw attention to an existing difference without necessarily implying a negative impact.