an escalating crisis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an escalating crisis" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that is worsening or intensifying over time, often in contexts related to emergencies, conflicts, or significant issues. Example: "The region is facing an escalating crisis due to the ongoing conflict and humanitarian challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Other commentators were less inclined to see the funny side of what was clearly an escalating crisis.

The Guardian - Business

While they and their families go about their unremarkable business, background news bulletins provide glimpses of an escalating crisis.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Problems with "unintended acceleration" of its cars, which the firm has only belatedly taken seriously, have triggered an escalating crisis and the recall of a whopping 8m vehicles.

The Economist

Schoolteachers, nurses, mechanics and other vital workers are being pushed out of an increasingly homogeneous central Bay Area, and homelessness is an escalating crisis.

The Guardian

As recently as last week, eurozone ministers stressed the need to avoid default in Greece, indicating the rapid shifts under way in an escalating crisis.

The Guardian - Business

The move was carefully planned, and the measured response from Beijing shows that neither side wants an escalating crisis, but this cannot hide a deeper conflict.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Since accepting the post in September, she has gone on the offensive, lambasting ministers for overseeing what she says is a rapidly escalating crisis in mental health services.

The Guardian

The fledgling government in Kiev put the country on a war footing on Sunday as the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, tightened his grip on the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula of Crimea and western powers were left scrambling to find a response to the escalating crisis.

The Guardian

Last weekend the escalating crisis prompted an emergency meeting of Arab foreign ministers in Jeddah, the summer retreat of the Saudi government on the Red Sea.

The Guardian

But when Morawiecki said 10 days ago that Jews had also been among the perpetrators of the Holocaust, further inflaming tensions, the two leaders agreed that their representatives should meet in an effort to relieve the escalating crisis.

Vice

Libyan oil production has dropped by 1.2m barrels a day due to the escalating crisis, according to Italy's ENI, the largest foreign oil producer in Libya.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about complex situations, ensure you provide specific details to illustrate how the crisis is escalating. This adds credibility to your claim and helps the reader understand the gravity of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "an escalating crisis" as a cliché. Make sure the situation genuinely warrants this strong description by providing clear evidence of its worsening nature. Otherwise, consider using milder terms like "a growing concern" or "a developing issue".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an escalating crisis" functions as a noun phrase, where "escalating" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "crisis". This phrase typically serves to describe a situation of heightened concern, as supported by Ludwig AI's analysis and numerous real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an escalating crisis" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a situation that is worsening. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a noun phrase and is frequently used in news and media, as well as in scientific and formal business contexts. The phrase conveys a sense of urgency and increasing severity, making it a powerful tool for highlighting critical issues. While versatile, it's important to ensure its usage is justified by clear evidence of a deteriorating situation, avoiding overuse or cliché.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a worsening crisis

Emphasizes the deteriorating condition of the crisis.

an intensifying crisis

Similar in meaning, stresses the heightened intensity of the situation.

a growing crisis

Focuses on the increasing scale and impact of the crisis.

a mounting crisis

Highlights the increasing pressure and severity of the crisis.

a deepening crisis

Indicates that the crisis is becoming more profound and complex.

a developing crisis

Suggests that the crisis is unfolding and evolving.

a spreading crisis

Focuses on the expanding reach and influence of the crisis.

a spiraling crisis

Emphasizes the rapid and uncontrollable nature of the crisis's development.

a rapidly worsening situation

Rephrases the idea using "situation" instead of "crisis", emphasizing speed of decline.

a deteriorating state of affairs

More formal and general, indicating a negative trend.

FAQs

How can I use "an escalating crisis" in a sentence?

You can use "an escalating crisis" to describe situations that are rapidly worsening. For instance, "The region is facing "an escalating crisis" due to political instability and drought."

What are some alternatives to "an escalating crisis"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a worsening crisis", "a growing crisis", or "an intensifying crisis", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "an escalating crisis"?

It is appropriate when a situation is not only problematic but is also demonstrably worsening over time. This phrase suggests a sense of urgency and increasing severity.

Is there a difference between "an escalating crisis" and "a serious problem"?

Yes, "an escalating crisis" implies that the problem is becoming more severe and urgent, while "a serious problem" simply indicates that the issue is significant. The former suggests a dynamic and worsening condition, whereas the latter is a static assessment.