can be aggravated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be aggravated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that may worsen or become more severe due to certain factors or actions. Example: "The patient's symptoms can be aggravated by stress and lack of sleep."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some people are genetically susceptible, and the problem can be aggravated by smoking, taking certain medications, stress and other factors.

The New York Times - Health

*Would the public be culpable in electing someone with an ailment that can be aggravated, possibly fatally, by the stress.

The New York Times - Health

It is not a psychosomatic disorder, although its symptoms can be aggravated by stress, anxiety, depression or emotional trauma.

The New York Times - Health

Asthma can be a killer and can be aggravated by many of the same things that cause hay fever.

The New York Times - Tech

Depression has been shown to be a condition that can be aggravated or brought on by adjustment to life in a new country.

The New York Times

Edwards said early in the week that the Jets would be very conservative in handling the injury because it was so early in training camp and sprained thumbs can be aggravated by the repeated beating of a snapped ball.

The New York Times - Sports

"Ninety percent of people who kill themselves have a mental disorder at the time of their death," which can be aggravated by drug and alcohol abuse, Dr. Clayton said.

The New York Times

Furthermore, the situation can be aggravated due to the improper gel-breaking process.

Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering

When not treated, anxiety can be aggravated to more serious and complicated health problems.

Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice

Headache can be aggravated by exertion, movement, straining, coughing or bending [45].

The Journal of Headache and Pain

The risk can be aggravated by steep slopes, high rainfall and poor conservation practices.

Environmental Systems Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can be aggravated", clearly state what factors contribute to the aggravation. For instance, "Symptoms can be aggravated by stress or lack of sleep" provides a specific cause-and-effect relationship.

Common error

Avoid using "can be aggravated" vaguely without mentioning what exactly causes the aggravation. Instead of saying "the situation can be aggravated", specify "the situation can be aggravated by poor planning".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be aggravated" functions as a passive construction indicating potential for worsening. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it's used to describe conditions, symptoms, or situations that are susceptible to becoming more severe due to specific factors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can be aggravated" is a versatile phrase used to express the potential worsening of a condition or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, especially in scientific and news domains. When using this phrase, it's crucial to clearly specify the factors causing the aggravation to provide clarity and actionable information. Remember to avoid vagueness and consider alternatives like ""may be exacerbated"" or "could be intensified" for subtle variations in meaning. Proper usage ensures effective communication about potential risks and sensitivities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may be exacerbated

Replaces "aggravated" with "exacerbated", implying a more intense worsening.

could be intensified

Substitutes "aggravated" with "intensified", suggesting a strengthening of negative effects.

might be worsened

Uses "worsened" as a direct synonym for "aggravated", indicating a decline in condition.

can be made worse

Rephrases the passive construction with a more direct and simpler wording.

may be complicated

Emphasizes the entanglement and difficulty added to a situation.

could be heightened

Replaces "aggravated" with "heightened", suggesting an increase in intensity or awareness.

might be compounded

Uses "compounded" to indicate that the problem is added to or increased by something else.

can be amplified

Suggests the effects are made larger or more significant.

may be inflamed

Specifically suggests that a condition becomes more inflamed or irritated.

could be triggered

Indicates that something may initiate a negative reaction or response.

FAQs

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

When something "can be aggravated", it means that its negative aspects or symptoms "may be worsened" or intensified by certain actions, conditions, or factors. It implies a potential for decline or increased severity.

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

Use "can be aggravated" to indicate that a condition or situation is susceptible to becoming worse. For example, "His anxiety "may be exacerbated" by caffeine consumption."

What can I say instead of "can be aggravated"?

You can use alternatives like ""may be worsened"", "could be intensified", or "might be exacerbated" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "can be aggravated" and "can be damaged"?

"Can be aggravated" implies a worsening of an existing condition or situation, while "can be damaged" suggests that something can be harmed or broken. Aggravation refers to intensity; damage refers to physical harm.