compounds the uncertainty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "compounds the uncertainty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations or factors that increase or add to existing uncertainty or confusion. Example: "The lack of clear communication from management compounds the uncertainty among employees regarding the company's future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Sinai's instability compounds the uncertainty.

The Economist

For the EU as a whole, the prospect of "Brixit" compounds the uncertainty of the euro crisis.

The Economist

And so the heavy-lifters are struggling to keep the voters' faith -- change compounds the uncertainty, the typical process of compromise and favor-trading stirs resentment, and the constant din of fear-mongering stokes... well, fear.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

That has compounded the uncertainty for the roughly 1,200 companies that adopted such plans from 1999 to 2005.

The New York Times

Earlier doubts about whether the Italian prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, and his finance minister, Giulio Tremonti, would agree on new austerity measures compounded the uncertainty.

The New York Times

Otherwise, colorful as they are, lawsuits like the red sole case are likely to compound the uncertainty that results from the absence of statutory delineation of fashion design protection — and invite more lawsuits.

The New York Times

The bloodshed in the Middle East and the tumult on Wall Street have only compounded the uncertainty, with strategists saying the contest has been buffeted by events that could enhance or harm the prospects of either candidate -- or have no impact at all.

The New York Times

Not only was he still making terrific saves; he was distributing the ball as well as ever and reassuring his defenders while There has been little sign of Zieler seems to have compounded the uncertainty of defenders already adapting their approach to take account of referees' new vigilance for grappling in the box.

The Guardian - Sport

To compound the uncertainty, Scotland were caught cold by a Gibraltar break upfield and the visitors scored their first goal in a qualifying match, to level the score at 1-1.

BBC

Just to compound the uncertainty hanging over them, it is unclear whether or not they would receive the enhanced redundancy terms they had been expecting, or merely the basic statutory payments.

BBC

And then the stress of business, of my mom; it all compounded the uncertainty and anxiety.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "compounds the uncertainty" when you want to emphasize that a specific factor is making an already uncertain situation even more unpredictable or confusing. It's suitable for describing how new elements add to existing unknowns.

Common error

Avoid using "compounds the uncertainty" in situations where the uncertainty is already adequately described. Reserve it for cases where there's a clear, escalating effect from an additional factor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "compounds the uncertainty" functions as a verb phrase where "compounds" acts as a transitive verb, taking "the uncertainty" as its direct object. It describes an action that increases or intensifies an existing state of uncertainty. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "compounds the uncertainty" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe situations where an additional factor exacerbates an existing state of uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides real-world examples. While relatively rare, it appears most frequently in news and media and science contexts. When writing, use it to emphasize the increasing complexity or severity of an uncertain situation. Alternatives include "exacerbates the uncertainty" and "increases the uncertainty".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exacerbates the uncertainty

Focuses on making the existing uncertainty worse.

increases the uncertainty

Directly indicates a rise in the level of uncertainty.

worsens the uncertainty

Highlights the deterioration of the situation regarding uncertainty.

adds to the uncertainty

Implies that more elements are contributing to the existing uncertainty.

magnifies the uncertainty

Suggests that uncertainty is being amplified or made more significant.

deepens the uncertainty

Indicates that the uncertainty is becoming more profound or entrenched.

heightens the uncertainty

Implies that the level of uncertainty is rising or becoming more intense.

intensifies the uncertainty

Focuses on making the uncertainty stronger or more acute.

fuels the uncertainty

Suggests that something is actively causing the uncertainty to grow.

aggravates the uncertainty

Highlights the irritation and worsening of the state of uncertainty.

FAQs

How can I use "compounds the uncertainty" in a sentence?

Use "compounds the uncertainty" to describe a situation where an additional factor increases the level of unpredictability or confusion. For instance, "The lack of clear communication from the company compounds the uncertainty among employees."

What are some alternatives to "compounds the uncertainty"?

You can use alternatives like "exacerbates the uncertainty", "increases the uncertainty", or "adds to the uncertainty" depending on the context.

Is "compounds the uncertainty" grammatically correct?

Yes, "compounds the uncertainty" is grammatically correct. It uses the verb "compounds" in the third-person singular form, agreeing with an implied singular subject (e.g., a specific factor or event) and correctly uses the definite article "the" before "uncertainty".

What's the difference between "compounds the uncertainty" and "increases the uncertainty"?

"Compounds the uncertainty" suggests that something is being added to an already uncertain situation, making it more complex or severe. "Increases the uncertainty" ("increases the uncertainty") simply indicates that the level of uncertainty is rising.