be compounded by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be compounded by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is made more complex or severe by the addition of another factor or issue. Example: "The challenges faced by the project team were compounded by a lack of resources and tight deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Such chronic pain can be compounded by hopelessness and anxiety.

Britannica

This negligence will now be compounded by mendacity.

The Guardian - Opinion

This could then be compounded by the potentially toxic effects of coal dust.

The Guardian - Business

At the moment, one problem seems to be compounded by another," said McCarthy.

The Guardian - Sport

That task will be compounded by the worst drought in 50 to 100 years.

The New York Times

These can be compounded by a dearth of English-speaking managers familiar with working outside China.

The Economist

Growing friendlessness at home will be compounded by increasing loneliness abroad.

The Economist

But their lack of interest may be compounded by his lack of English.

The Economist

Her misery may be compounded by another ruling soon, this time from the anti-corruption commission.

The Economist

This can be compounded by spending more time in poorly lit indoor areas like homes, offices, and classrooms.

Columbia University

But next time, it will be compounded by sea level rise, creating an even more severe disaster.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be compounded by" to clearly indicate that a situation is not only bad but is also made worse by an additional factor. This helps in emphasizing the complexity of the issue.

Common error

Avoid using "be compounded by" in simple sentences where a more direct and straightforward expression would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex and unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be compounded by" functions as a passive construction indicating that a situation or problem is made worse or more complex by the addition of another factor. Ludwig shows its frequent use in connecting a primary issue with a secondary contributing factor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

38%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be compounded by" is a versatile expression used to indicate that a situation is made worse or more complex by an additional factor. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and highlights its prevalence in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When writing, use this phrase to emphasize the intensifying effect of a secondary issue on a primary problem. While common, avoid overuse in simple sentences where a more direct expression would suffice to maintain clarity and conciseness. Remember that alternatives like "exacerbated by" or "intensified by" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Overall, "be compounded by" is a valuable tool for expressing complex relationships between events and conditions, especially when aiming for a neutral to formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be exacerbated by

Focuses on the worsening or aggravation of an existing problem.

be intensified by

Highlights the increase in strength or degree of something.

be aggravated by

Similar to exacerbated, suggesting an increase in severity.

be heightened by

Emphasizes an increase in awareness or sensitivity.

be worsened by

Directly indicates a decline in quality or condition.

be magnified by

Suggests an increase in size, effect, or importance.

be complicated by

Focuses on the introduction of new complexities or difficulties.

be fueled by

Implies that something is encouraged or stimulated to increase.

be inflated by

Suggests an artificial or unwarranted increase.

be amplified by

Similar to intensified, but often used in a more technical context.

FAQs

How can I use "be compounded by" in a sentence?

Use "be compounded by" to indicate that a situation is worsened or intensified by an additional factor. For example, "The problem was "be compounded by" a lack of resources."

What are some alternatives to "be compounded by"?

Alternatives include "be exacerbated by", "be intensified by", or "be aggravated by", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "compounded by" formal or informal?

"Compounded by" is generally considered neutral to formal and is suitable for academic, professional, and journalistic contexts. It's less common in informal conversation.

What's the difference between "be compounded by" and "be exacerbated by"?

While both indicate a worsening situation, ""be compounded by"" suggests that something is added to make it worse, whereas ""be exacerbated by"" implies that an existing condition is made more severe.