are being exacerbated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are being exacerbated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that is worsening or becoming more severe over time, often due to external factors. Example: "The challenges faced by the community are being exacerbated by the lack of resources and support."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

These local conditions are being exacerbated by global structural realities.

The Guardian

Food shortages are being exacerbated by a growing bank and credit crisis, Oxfam warned this week.

The Guardian

Those difficulties are being exacerbated by the fall in coal prices.

The New York Times

Exposure to hazardous conditions in the home, social isolation, severe stress, and other health problems are being exacerbated.

University of California, Berkeley

Homelessness levels in this country have reached shocking new highs, and are being exacerbated further by local government cuts.

Independent

While the problems are homemade, he concedes that they are being "exacerbated" by events on the Continent.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

But it is being exacerbated by other reasons, both international and domestic.

The Guardian

The downturn, analysts said, is being exacerbated by unexciting fashions in stores.

The New York Times

The misery of a balance sheet deleveraging is being exacerbated by a dearth of income opportunities.

The New York Times

That danger is being exacerbated by low interest rates and bank bias toward state-sector lending.

The New York Times

The local decline of agrobiodiversity is being exacerbated by Peru's national policies and several international policies.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are being exacerbated", ensure that the sentence clearly identifies the factors contributing to the worsening situation. This adds clarity and strengthens the argument.

Common error

Avoid using "are being exacerbated" in situations where a simpler word like "worsened" would suffice. Overusing complex phrasing can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being exacerbated" functions as a passive verb phrase. It describes a state where a situation or condition is acted upon, specifically, it is being worsened. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

24%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are being exacerbated" is a commonly used passive construction indicating that a situation is actively worsening. As Ludwig AI explains, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news articles, scientific reports, and academic papers. The phrase serves to emphasize the contributing factors to a negative outcome, often raising awareness of concerning trends. When writing, it's crucial to use this phrase judiciously, ensuring that the context warrants the formality and that simpler alternatives don't suffice. Top sources like The Guardian, The New York Times, and The Economist frequently employ this expression to describe the impact of various phenomena. Semantically related alternatives include "are being worsened" and "are being aggravated", each with slight differences in connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are being intensified

Focuses on the degree to which something is strengthened or heightened.

are being aggravated

Highlights the worsening of a situation, often due to external factors.

are being worsened

Emphasizes the decline or deterioration of a condition.

are being compounded

Suggests that problems are accumulating and making the situation more complex.

are being amplified

Indicates an increase in the effect or intensity of something.

are being heightened

Stresses an increase in the level or degree of something, often emotions or tensions.

are being magnified

Highlights the increase in size or importance of something, often disproportionately.

are being fueled

Indicates that something is contributing to the increase or intensification of a problem.

are being augmented

Focuses on the addition of something that increases the severity of the situation.

are being escalated

Emphasizes the increase in intensity, often in conflict or tension.

FAQs

How can I use "are being exacerbated" in a sentence?

Use "are being exacerbated" to describe situations where problems or negative conditions are actively worsened by additional factors. For example, "Food shortages "are being exacerbated" by the ongoing conflict".

What are some alternatives to "are being exacerbated"?

You can use alternatives like "are being worsened", "are being aggravated", or "are being intensified" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "are exacerbated" or "are being exacerbated"?

"Are exacerbated" is a more direct passive construction, while "are being exacerbated" emphasizes the ongoing process of worsening. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the state or the process.

What is the difference between "are being exacerbated" and "are being complicated"?

"Are being exacerbated" implies a worsening of a negative situation, while "are being complicated" suggests that something is becoming more complex or difficult to understand. While a complication might worsen a situation, the terms are not interchangeable.