become progressively worse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become progressively worse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that is deteriorating over time. Example: "The patient's health began to become progressively worse despite the treatment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Symptoms tend to become progressively worse over time.

The New York Times - Tech

It takes three hours to drive to Kimry from Moscow, on roads that become progressively worse.

The Guardian

The former Chelsea player has been struggling with a back injury that has become progressively worse.

The Guardian - Sport

Today it is forecast to start off calm and become progressively worse all day.

Independent

Without it, each attack of gout had become progressively worse, until it ended up in his spine.

The New York Times - Magazine

Then we do a drill of slow tight turns around cones, at which I become progressively worse.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

There is evidence that arterial stiffness becomes progressively worse as CKD progresses.

BMC Nephrology

The condition became progressively worse.

The New Yorker

From there, the Mets' pitching became progressively worse.

The New York Times - Sports

The disagreement became progressively worse over recent weeks.

The Guardian - Opinion

The situation becomes progressively worse in moving from the pre-combustion to the oxy-fuel stream.

Chemical Engineering Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become progressively worse" when you want to emphasize a gradual decline over a period. It's suitable for describing the worsening of conditions, symptoms, or situations in a step-by-step manner.

Common error

Avoid using "become progressively worse" in contexts where a simpler term like "worsen" suffices. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become progressively worse" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a continuous deterioration or decline. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is grammatically sound and readily usable. Examples from Ludwig show its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

32%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Reference

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "become progressively worse" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe a gradual decline or deterioration over time. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is widely accepted and applicable across various contexts, especially in News & Media, Science, and Academia. While alternatives like "gradually worsen" or "deteriorate over time" exist, "become progressively worse" is most effective when the intention is to emphasize the continuous, step-by-step nature of the negative change. Be mindful not to overuse it in simple contexts where a more direct term like "worsen" would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gradually worsen

Emphasizes the slow, incremental nature of the decline, similar to the original phrase.

deteriorate over time

This alternative suggests a gradual decline without necessarily implying a worsening condition. It is more neutral.

worsen by degrees

Indicates a measured or graduated decline.

decline steadily

Implies a continuous and consistent decrease in quality or condition.

get worse incrementally

Highlights the step-by-step nature of the deterioration.

grow increasingly bad

Uses simpler language to convey the same idea of worsening over time.

aggravate with time

Specifically implies something is being made worse or more serious with the passage of time.

degenerate gradually

Suggests a decay or decline from a former state, often used in medical contexts.

slide downhill

A more figurative expression for something getting worse, implying a loss of control.

go from bad to worse

Expresses a worsening situation, often more rapid than "become progressively worse".

FAQs

What does "become progressively worse" mean?

The phrase "become progressively worse" describes a situation or condition that is gradually deteriorating or worsening over time.

How can I use "become progressively worse" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe the deterioration of something over time, such as "The patient's condition "deteriorated over time" and "become progressively worse"."

What are some alternatives to "become progressively worse"?

Alternatives include "gradually worsen", "decline steadily", or "grow increasingly bad", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "become progressively worse"?

While grammatically correct, it might be stylistically better to use a simpler alternative like "worsen" if the context doesn't require emphasis on the gradual nature of the decline. Always consider your audience.