are escalating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are escalating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that is intensifying or increasing in severity or magnitude. Example: "The tensions between the two countries are escalating, leading to concerns about potential conflict."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Yes, we are escalating.

The Guardian

Attacks on American troops are escalating.

The Economist

Hostilities between Europhiles and Eurosceptics are escalating.

The Economist

The spending and competition are escalating daily.

The New York Times - Tech

But for now, the penalties are escalating.

The New York Times

And the fights are escalating across Western Europe.

The New York Times - Tech

Small wonder the bills for the millennium project are escalating.

The Economist

The costs of dealing with dumped tyres are escalating.

The Guardian

Out-of-pocket costs for health care are escalating.

The New York Times

That assertion has infuriated dog owners, who are escalating a fight.

The New York Times

With the continued American bombing of the Taliban, the strategic risks are escalating.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are escalating" when you want to emphasize a gradual increase in intensity, scope, or severity. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is becoming more intense.

Common error

Avoid using "are escalating" to describe situations that are already at their peak or not subject to change. This phrase implies an ongoing process of intensification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are escalating" functions as a present progressive verb phrase, indicating an ongoing process of intensification or increase. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used to describe situations that are currently growing in magnitude or severity. The examples show its use across diverse contexts, from describing rising tensions to increasing costs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Social Media

2%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are escalating" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that describes an ongoing increase in intensity, severity, or scope. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently in reputable sources across various domains, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, make sure the subject is plural or non-countable and implies continuous growth. Consider alternatives such as "are increasing" or "are intensifying" depending on the specific context. Avoid using it to describe static situations. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "are escalating" to convey a sense of urgency and concern about evolving situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are increasing in intensity

Replaces "escalating" with a more descriptive phrase emphasizing the increasing intensity.

are growing more severe

Focuses on the negative aspect of the increase, highlighting the severity.

are intensifying rapidly

Emphasizes the speed at which the escalation is occurring.

are spiraling out of control

Indicates a loss of control as the situation worsens.

are reaching new heights

Suggests an increase to a significant or unprecedented level.

are mounting steadily

Implies a gradual but consistent increase in pressure or problems.

are becoming more acute

Highlights the sharpness or critical nature of the increasing problem.

are gaining momentum

Suggests increasing speed and force in the progression.

are surging forward

Emphasizes a powerful and uncontrolled increase.

are picking up speed

Focuses on the acceleration of the increase.

FAQs

How can I use "are escalating" in a sentence?

You can use "are escalating" to describe situations where something is increasing in intensity, such as "Tensions "are escalating" between the two countries" or "Costs "are escalating" due to inflation".

What are some alternatives to "are escalating"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "are increasing", "are intensifying", or "are growing" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "is escalating" instead of "are escalating"?

No, "is escalating" would only be correct if referring to a singular subject. "Are escalating" is used with plural subjects or with non-countable nouns treated as plural, such as "tensions" or "costs".

What's the difference between "are escalating" and "have escalated"?

"Are escalating" describes a situation that is currently in the process of increasing, while "have escalated" ("have escalated") indicates that the increase has already occurred and is now complete.