become more acute

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become more acute" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, feeling, or perception that is intensifying or becoming sharper in focus. Example: "As the deadline approached, the pressure to perform began to become more acute."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Cheating in chess is becoming a serious problem, and it will become more acute as technology progresses.

The Guardian - Tech

And the crunch could become more acute.

The Economist

Now its pain has become more acute.

The New York Times - Tech

Since the surgery, Keating's curiosity has only become more acute.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

If it didn't, the Brexit standoff would become more acute.

The Guardian

The fragmentation has become more acute in recent decades.

The Economist

When that happens, all the drawbacks of the post-reform primary system become more acute.

The New Yorker

The Yankees were interested in him before Wang's injury, and their need has become more acute.

The New York Times - Sports

He predicted voters will soon see those divisions become more acute.

The Guardian

The crisis will become more acute after 2020 unless ministers raise housing benefit levels, it says.

The Guardian

This tension will become more acute in the 12 months ahead.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become more acute" when you want to describe a situation or feeling that is not only worsening but also becoming more sharply defined or noticeable. It's suitable for contexts where the intensification also brings a clearer focus to the problem.

Common error

While "become more acute" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or dramatic in everyday conversation. In informal settings, consider using simpler alternatives like "get worse" or "become more intense" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become more acute" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often acting as a predicate in a sentence. It describes a process of intensification or worsening of a condition, feeling, or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

11%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "become more acute" is a versatile expression used to describe the intensification of a situation, feeling, or perception. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread usage, particularly in formal contexts like news reporting and academic writing. While alternatives such as "become more intense" or "become more severe" may sometimes be suitable, "become more acute" uniquely conveys an increasing sharpness and focus to the problem. Its frequency is very common, making it a readily understandable phrase for conveying increasing intensity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become more intense

Emphasizes a heightened level of strength or feeling.

become more severe

Highlights the seriousness or gravity of a situation.

become more serious

Emphasizes the increased level of concern or danger.

become more pronounced

Focuses on the increased visibility or noticeability of something.

become more critical

Highlights the urgency or importance of a situation.

become more aggravated

Suggests an increase in annoyance or irritation.

become more exacerbated

Indicates a worsening of an already bad situation.

become more heightened

Indicates an elevated state of awareness or emotion.

grow more pressing

Focuses on the increasing urgency and importance of a matter.

escalate

Implies a rapid increase in intensity or severity, often in a conflict or crisis.

FAQs

How can I use "become more acute" in a sentence?

You can use "become more acute" to describe situations where a problem or feeling is intensifying. For example, "As the deadline approached, the pressure to perform "began to become more acute"."

What are some alternatives to "become more acute"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "become more intense", "become more severe", or "become more pronounced".

Is it better to say "become more acute" or "become more severe"?

The choice depends on the context. "Become more acute" suggests a sharper focus and intensification, while "become more severe" emphasizes the gravity or seriousness of the situation.

What does "become more acute" imply about the situation?

It suggests that the situation is not only worsening but also becoming more sharply defined or noticeable. The problem is intensifying and demanding greater attention.