at a deepening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a deepening" is not standard in written English and may be unclear without additional context.
It could potentially be used in contexts discussing a process or situation that is becoming more intense or profound, but it would need to be part of a more complete thought. Example: "The conversation took a turn at a deepening moment of reflection."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This was a time influenced by the Compulsory Education Law that promoted universal education policy, and their university education was at a deepening stage of reform and opening (1992).

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Although the 88 Generation activists supported the NLD in the election, Mya Aye, a member of the group, called the rejection of their candidates "a mistake" and hinted at a deepening rift.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Amid such privations, one of the few things that thrives now in Baghdad, at least, is a deepening distrust and anger toward the United States.

The New York Times

"Amid such privations," Banerjee writes, "one of the few things that thrives now in Baghdad, at least, is a deepening distrust and anger toward the United States".

The New Yorker

Little wonder then that conservative commentators like Charles Krauthammer, long critical of the Obama administration, could celebrate what they see as "the stillborn legacy of Barack Obama" as they document an unraveling Affordable Care Act at home and a deepening (and in human terms, truly appalling) civil war in Syria.

Huffington Post

But this opportunity will be squandered if the Obama administration's actions at the United Nations force a deepening split between our two countries.

The New York Times

At this stage of a deepening crisis, no one is arguing that the government should let A.I.G. collapse into a disorderly bankruptcy.

The New York Times

In contrast, all of Spain's commercial banks relatively easily passed the stress tests, led by Banca March, whose Tier 1 capital would remain at 19 percent even under a deepening hypothetical economic slump.

The New York Times

On Thursday afternoon, James Murdoch assembled senior executives in the top-floor boardroom in the News Corporation's London headquarters and told them of a momentous decision: to shutter the 168-year-old tabloid at the center of a deepening phone-hacking scandal and the original heart of the Murdoch media empire in Britain.

The New York Times

LONDON -- Britain's media and political landscape shifted Thursday as the powerful Murdoch family summarily announced plans to shut down the disgraced mass-circulation tabloid at the center of a deepening scandal over journalistic malfeasance, and arrest seemed imminent for the paper's once politically influential former editor.

The New York Times

Last Fall at Dreamforce, Salesforce announced a deepening friendship with Google.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common and grammatically sound alternatives such as "during a deepening crisis" or "amid a deepening divide" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "at a deepening" as a standalone phrase. It often sounds incomplete. Instead, incorporate it into a fuller context like "at a time of deepening concern".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a deepening" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is not standard English, and its use is often part of a longer, more complete expression. For example, "at a time of deepening crisis."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at a deepening" is a prepositional phrase that, according to Ludwig AI, is not standard in written English and needs additional context to be clear. While it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, its usage is infrequent and often part of a more extended expression such as "at a time of deepening crisis". The primary contexts where it's found are News & Media and Science. Because of its awkwardness, it's advisable to opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives like "during a deepening" or "amid a deepening" to enhance clarity and ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a deepening

Replaces 'at' with 'in', providing a different prepositional context.

amidst a deepening

Uses a more formal preposition to indicate being surrounded by an intensifying situation.

during a deepening

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of the intensification.

with a deepening

Connects the intensification as a contributing factor.

exacerbating a deepening

Focuses on worsening an already intensifying situation.

intensifying a

Highlights the action of making something more intense.

escalating a

Emphasizes a rapid increase in intensity.

aggravating a

Similar to exacerbating, but with a slightly different connotation of making something worse.

heightening a

Focuses on raising the level or degree of something.

increasing a

A general term for making something larger or more intense.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "at a deepening" for better clarity?

Consider using phrases like "during a deepening", "amid a deepening", or "at a time of deepening" for improved grammatical correctness and clarity.

Is "at a deepening" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "at a deepening" is often perceived as awkward. It's more common to use it within a longer phrase such as "at a time of deepening crisis".

What does "at a deepening" typically refer to in a sentence?

Typically, "at a deepening" refers to a situation or process that is becoming more intense, severe, or profound. It's often used in contexts of crisis, division, or concern.

Are there specific contexts where "at a deepening" is more appropriate?

It's generally better to avoid "at a deepening" in favor of clearer alternatives. If you choose to use it, ensure it's part of a longer, well-structured phrase to avoid ambiguity.