compounded the issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "compounded the issue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where a problem has been made worse or more complex by additional factors. Example: "The lack of communication between departments compounded the issue, leading to further delays in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Later in the day, he compounded the issue.

The Guardian

Arkansas's trouble executing an efficient half-court offense has further compounded the issue.

The New York Times - Sports

"What compounded the issue," he added, "was people relocating to Houston after Hurricane Katrina and staying in hotels.

The New York Times

The civil war in the north, which has lasted more than 21 years, has compounded the issue in the east.

The Guardian

Harbaugh's actions did not indicate a high level of confidence in Akers, who only compounded the issue when his kick against Atlanta struck the upright.

The New York Times - Sports

Portnow compounded the issue when he said women artists needed to "step up" if they wanted to be recognised, comments he said he later regretted.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Long said the early struggles and the losses compounded the issues for the hitters.

The New York Times - Sports

The difficulties surrounding the broadcast rights for the FA Cup – when Setanta went under ESPN stepped in, only to exit the market itself when it lost its Premier League package – have compounded the issues involved in maintaining its relevancy.

The Guardian

Compounding the issue for Stroud was the all-white jury.

The Guardian

"Language and cultural differences often compound the issue," says Hinds.

Harvard Business Review

That this revenue instead goes to line the pockets of criminals compounds the issue.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "compounded the issue" when you want to emphasize that a situation was made worse by a specific action or event. It's useful for highlighting causality and the escalation of problems.

Common error

Avoid using "compounded the issue" when the subsequent event is merely correlated and doesn't directly worsen the original problem. Ensure a clear causal link for accurate usage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "compounded the issue" functions as a causal connector, indicating that a preceding action or event has worsened an existing problem. As evidenced by Ludwig, it clearly establishes that one action has exacerbated the current problem.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "compounded the issue" serves as a causal connector, highlighting how a specific action or event exacerbated an existing problem. Ludwig AI indicates that its grammatical status is correct and that it's commonly used, especially in news, sports, and business contexts. Alternatives include "aggravated the problem" and "exacerbated the situation". It's crucial to use this phrase accurately, ensuring a clear causal link between the action and the worsening of the problem. Understanding the appropriate context and avoiding common mistakes will enhance clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aggravated the problem

Focuses on making the problem more severe or intense.

exacerbated the situation

Highlights the worsening of the overall circumstances.

worsened the matter

Emphasizes a negative change in the state of affairs.

complicated the matter further

Highlights an increase in complexity of the current problem.

further complicated the situation

Highlights the increase in complexity of the circumstances.

added fuel to the fire

Implies actions that intensify an already volatile situation.

made matters worse

A general expression for worsening a situation.

deepened the crisis

Specifically refers to making a crisis more profound.

magnified the difficulty

Emphasizes the increase in the scale of an issue.

added to the problem

Suggests that a problem has been made larger.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "compounded the issue" in a sentence?

Use "compounded the issue" to indicate that a particular action or event made an existing problem worse. For example: "The lack of communication "aggravated the problem"."

What are some alternative phrases to "compounded the issue"?

Alternatives include "aggravated the problem", "exacerbated the situation", or "worsened the matter", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "compounded the issue" or should I use another similar phrase?

"Compounded the issue" is grammatically correct and widely used. However, phrases like "aggravated the problem" or "exacerbated the situation" can be used for variety or to emphasize different aspects of the situation.

What's the difference between "compounded the issue" and "complicated the issue"?

"Compounded the issue" implies that something made a problem worse, while "complicated the issue" simply means something made it more complex. While increased complexity can sometimes worsen a problem, the two phrases aren't always interchangeable. For example: a new regulation could "complicated the matter further", but not necessarily "made matters worse".