be heightened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be heightened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an increase or intensification of a particular quality or state. Example: "The tension in the room seemed to be heightened as the deadline approached."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Security forces' sensitivities may be heightened at this time," it said.

The New York Times

This situation may be heightened if they are financially reliant on their partner.

The Guardian - Opinion

The early streak probably caused those expectations to be heightened — temporarily.

The New York Times - Sports

"But we do know the pressure will be heightened and all the eyes are on us.

Independent

Further complicating the market calculus, volatility will most likely be heightened on Friday.

The New York Times

There will be heightened excitement and there will be a certain hush.

Independent

There will have to be heightened border checks within the rest of the EU.

Independent

Both online and offline efforts need to be heightened to counter this propaganda.

Independent

"The paranoia," he said, "is going to be heightened now because of Donaghy".

The New York Times - Sports

This effect will be heightened by the extension of the glass high above the roof line.

The New York Times - Arts

The drama of sports, like the lure of love, can be heightened by distance.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be heightened" when you want to express an increase in a specific quality, feeling, or state. It's particularly effective when describing abstract concepts like awareness, sensitivity, or tension.

Common error

Avoid using "be heightened" in situations where a simpler word like "increase" or "rise" would suffice. Overusing sophisticated language can make your writing sound pretentious. Prefer simpler expression instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be heightened" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that something is being made more intense or elevated. It is used to describe how a certain quality or state is increased. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be heightened" is a versatile and grammatically correct passive verb phrase used to describe the intensification of a quality, state, or feeling. Ludwig AI validates its usage across various sources, with a strong presence in news and scientific contexts. While it's generally appropriate for neutral to formal registers, it's important to avoid overuse in simple contexts where more direct language would suffice. Alternatives like "be intensified" or "be amplified" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Remembering these points will help ensure that your use of "be heightened" is both accurate and effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be intensified

Emphasizes the increase in intensity of something.

be amplified

Suggests an increase in magnitude or strength.

be increased

A general term for becoming greater in size, amount, or degree.

be augmented

Implies that something has been added to increase its effect.

be escalated

Suggests a rapid increase, often in the context of conflict or urgency.

be magnified

Indicates an increase in apparent size or importance.

be exacerbated

Implies that something has been made worse or more severe.

be boosted

Suggests an increase in power or effectiveness.

be elevated

Implies being raised to a higher position or level.

be reinforced

Indicates strengthening or supporting something.

FAQs

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

You can use "be heightened" to describe an increase or intensification of a particular quality or state. For example: "Security measures will "be heightened" during the event", or "The tension in the room seemed to "be heightened" as the deadline approached."

What phrases are similar to "be heightened"?

Similar phrases include "be intensified", "be amplified", or "be increased", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each alternative carries a slightly different connotation related to the type of increase.

When is it appropriate to use "be heightened" in writing?

"Be heightened" is appropriate when describing the intensification of abstract concepts, emotions, or qualities. It suggests a noticeable increase or elevation in something intangible, such as awareness, sensitivity, or pressure.

Is there a difference between "be heightened" and "be increased"?

While both phrases indicate an increase, "be heightened" often implies a more qualitative or abstract increase, whereas "be increased" is more general and can refer to quantitative increases as well. For example, "awareness can "be heightened"", but "the volume can "be increased"".