compound the problem

USAGE SUMMARY

"compound the problem" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it in any context to refer to making a problem worse. For example: "John's mistake only compounded the problem" or "The government's inaction only compounded the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Keeping WorldCom on life support now would compound the problem.

The New York Times

But widely varying state laws compound the problem.

The New York Times

Climate change will only compound the problem, Dr. Baptiste said.

The New York Times

A collapsing oil price will compound the problem.

The Economist

To compound the problem, Christians find it easier to emigrate.

The Economist

According to the research, some teachers are unsympathetic and teaching methods may compound the problem.

The Guardian

The latest advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence may compound the problem.

The New York Times - Tech

The lack of new antibiotics in development threatens to compound the problem, Davies adds.

The Guardian

To compound the problem, I hit some bad shots after that".

The New York Times - Sports

Inequality in Stop and Search practices only play into these feelings and compound the problem.

Independent

When Timmy emerges from his bedroom, his attempts to placate each parent only compound the problem.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "compound the problem", ensure that the context clearly establishes the initial problem being worsened. Providing specific details about how the problem is being compounded will strengthen your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "compound the problem" in situations where simpler vocabulary suffices. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound pretentious or unnecessarily complex. Sometimes, "worsen the problem" is a better choice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "compound the problem" functions as a verb phrase, where "compound" acts as a transitive verb taking "the problem" as its direct object. Ludwig AI confirms it's correct. It describes the action of making an existing problem worse.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "compound the problem" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to indicate the worsening of an existing issue. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, this phrase conveys a neutral tone and highlights the detrimental impact of certain factors on an already problematic situation. While alternatives like "worsen the problem" and "exacerbate the situation" exist, the choice depends on the desired level of formality and specificity. Effective use involves clearly establishing the initial problem and illustrating how it is being intensified, avoiding overuse in situations where simpler vocabulary would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exacerbate the situation

Replaces "compound" with "exacerbate" and "problem" with "situation", maintaining the meaning of worsening a negative situation. The meaning is almost identical.

exacerbate the difficulty

Uses "exacerbate" and "difficulty" to replace "compound" and "problem" respectively, maintaining a formal tone. Close synonymy.

worsen the problem

Uses a more straightforward verb "worsen" instead of "compound", keeping the core meaning intact. Simpler word choice.

aggravate the issue

Substitutes "compound" with "aggravate" and "problem" with "issue", conveying a similar sense of making something worse. Slight difference in tone.

make matters worse

A common expression indicating that something is making a situation more difficult or problematic. General expression.

add fuel to the fire

An idiomatic expression that means to make a bad situation worse, similar to compounding the problem. Metaphorical language.

deepen the crisis

Focuses on intensifying a crisis, suggesting a more severe escalation of the problem. Stronger negative implication.

magnify the difficulty

Magnify suggests increasing the impact of a difficulty.

intensify the matter

Uses intensify which relates to increasing the severity or intensity.

add insult to injury

An idiomatic expression meaning to make a bad situation even worse, often by adding something that is offensive or disrespectful. More specific scenario.

FAQs

How can I use "compound the problem" in a sentence?

You can use "compound the problem" to describe actions or events that worsen an existing issue. For example, "His lack of experience only compounded the problem".

What are some alternatives to "compound the problem"?

Alternatives include "worsen the problem", "exacerbate the situation", or "aggravate the issue", depending on the specific context and desired tone.

Is it better to say "compound the problem" or "worsen the problem"?

"Compound the problem" is more formal and suggests a significant increase in severity. "Worsen the problem" is simpler and more direct. The choice depends on the context and the desired level of formality.

What does it mean to "add fuel to the fire" instead of saying "compound the problem"?

"Add fuel to the fire" is an idiomatic expression similar to "compound the problem", but it often implies that someone is intentionally or unintentionally making a situation worse, especially in a conflict or argument. It's a more vivid and figurative way to describe exacerbating a problem.