compounding the situation

USAGE SUMMARY

"compounding the situation" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that becomes increasingly worse or more complicated due to additional factors. For example, "The pandemic combined with the resulting economic recession was compounding the situation for many families."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Compounding the situation is the need for a new stadium.

The New York Times - Sports

Compounding the situation is the different grade boundaries from January to June.

The Guardian

Compounding the situation, the industry's young employees – who are mostly under 30 – work the permanent night shift.

The Guardian - Opinion

Merkel has been blamed for compounding the situation by insisting that southern European economies balance their books rather than spend money on job-creating policies.

The Guardian

Compounding the situation is the fact that crowded, uneven pavements discourage walking and there are no jogging tracks or public-access playgrounds.

The New York Times

Compounding the situation, officials said, is that many students, for reasons varying from emotional distress to military obligations, have indicated that they will not return to school.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Expensive childcare and inflexible work patterns compound the situation.

The Guardian

But other bad news has compounded the situation.

The New York Times

Having my children in the car only compounds the situation.

The Washington Post

In Northern California, the gradual spread of Silicon Valley into less congested cities has compounded the situation.

The New York Times

"Was that the sole cause, or was there a technical problem, which compounded the situation?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "compounding the situation" to introduce an additional factor that negatively impacts an already problematic scenario. It effectively highlights the worsening aspect of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "compounding the situation" when a simpler phrase like "adding to the problem" would suffice. This phrase is most effective when describing complex or significantly deteriorating scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "compounding the situation" functions as a transitional phrase, typically used to introduce an additional factor that makes an existing problem or difficult situation worse. It often appears at the beginning of a sentence or clause to connect new information to the existing context. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of the use.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Reference

4%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "compounding the situation" is a grammatically correct phrase commonly used to denote the worsening of an existing problem by the addition of new factors. It is versatile across various registers, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. Ludwig AI validates that. When writing, use it to clearly indicate that a situation is not only problematic but is actively becoming more difficult due to additional circumstances. Consider alternatives like "worsening matters" or "exacerbating the problem" for variety, but ensure that the selected phrase accurately reflects the intended meaning and intensity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worsening matters

Focuses on making things worse, emphasizing the negative impact.

exacerbating the problem

Highlights the intensification of an existing problem.

aggravating the circumstances

Emphasizes the worsening of specific circumstances.

complicating things further

Indicates an increase in complexity, adding more layers to a difficult situation.

making matters worse

A general phrase for worsening a situation.

further complicating the issue

Focuses on making the issue more complex.

inflaming the crisis

Implies a rapid and intense worsening of a crisis.

adding fuel to the fire

Suggests actions that intensify an already volatile situation.

deepening the crisis

Highlights the intensification and severity of an existing crisis.

heightening the tension

Focuses on increasing stress or strain within a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "compounding the situation" in a sentence?

Use "compounding the situation" to introduce additional factors that worsen an existing issue. For example, "The economic downturn, "compounding the situation", led to widespread job losses."

What are some alternatives to "compounding the situation"?

You can use alternatives such as "worsening matters", "exacerbating the problem", or "making matters worse" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "compounding the situation" or "complicating the situation"?

While both phrases indicate adding to an existing problem, "compounding the situation" implies a worsening effect, whereas "complicating the situation" simply means making it more complex without necessarily making it worse. Use the phrase that most accurately reflects the context.

What is the difference between "aggravating the situation" and "compounding the situation"?

"Aggravating the situation" suggests making a bad situation even more annoying or troublesome. "Compounding the situation" implies adding more weight or complexity, typically worsening the overall outcome. The slight nuance is in the effect; aggravation means increased annoyance, compounding means increased severity.