be aggravated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be aggravated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being annoyed or irritated, often in response to a specific situation or action. Example: "I tend to be aggravated when people interrupt me during meetings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She'd be aggravated.

The New York Times - Sports

These conditions can also be aggravated by central heating.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The most likely charges would be aggravated assault or assault with a weapon," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

And the challenge of feeding such a rapidly growing population will be aggravated by climate change.

The Guardian

INFLATION could also be aggravated by a sharp fall in the dollar.

The New York Times

This is likely to be aggravated by the visit to Luton.

The Guardian

Rows about farm trade could be aggravated by next year's American farm bill.

The Economist

In particular, the dumbness would appear to be aggravated by stress.

The Economist

In particular, dyspnea may be aggravated by immersion.

Chest

This challenge will be aggravated under climate warming.

Journal of Arid Environments

Thiamine deficiency can be aggravated by infusion of glucose.

Annals of Intensive Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be aggravated" when you want to express that a situation, condition, or feeling is made worse or more intense. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is being aggravated.

Common error

Avoid using "aggravated" as a verb to describe someone's direct action. Instead of saying "He aggravated the situation", use "He worsened the situation" or "He exacerbated the situation". "Be aggravated" implies a passive state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be aggravated" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject is acted upon, resulting in a worsened state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correctly used phrase. Examples show it used to describe conditions or situations that become more severe due to external factors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

27%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be aggravated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb phrase. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it correctly expresses that a condition, situation, or feeling is made worse. It is prevalent in scientific and news contexts and can often be replaced by synonyms like "be exacerbated" or "be worsened", depending on the desired level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey. When writing, make sure "aggravated" is used in a passive voice context. Its widespread use and clear meaning make it a valuable addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be aggravated further

Adds emphasis to the existing aggravation, indicating a greater degree of annoyance.

be exacerbated

This alternative carries a more formal tone, suggesting a worsening of a condition or situation.

be made worse

A simpler and more direct way of saying something is aggravated.

be irritated

This focuses more on the feeling of annoyance rather than the worsening of a situation.

be worsened

This simply states that something has become worse.

be provoked

This suggests an external stimulus causing the annoyance.

be annoyed

A more general term for feeling bothered or disturbed.

be intensified

Focuses on the increase in severity of something, like a symptom or problem.

be heightened

Suggests an increase in intensity or degree, similar to intensified.

be inflamed

Implies a state of anger or agitation, often used in a figurative sense.

FAQs

How can I use "be aggravated" in a sentence?

You can use "be aggravated" to indicate that something is made worse or more intense. For example, "Her symptoms can "be aggravated" by stress".

What does it mean when something "can be aggravated"?

When something "can "be aggravated"", it means that its negative state or condition has the potential to worsen or intensify due to certain factors or circumstances.

What's the difference between ""be aggravated"" and "be irritated"?

"Be aggravated" typically suggests a worsening of an existing condition or situation, while "be irritated" usually refers to a feeling of annoyance or frustration.

Are there more formal alternatives to ""be aggravated""?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "be exacerbated", which also implies a worsening of a condition, or "be intensified", focusing on an increase in severity.