continue to inflame

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "continue to inflame" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation or action that exacerbates or intensifies a conflict, emotion, or issue. Example: "The media coverage of the event continues to inflame tensions between the two communities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The chances of further taxes will rise if bonuses continue to inflame tempers.

The Economist

"Ethnic Serb rhetoric about seceding from Bosnia will continue to inflame passions," he reported.

The Guardian

The struggle for control over the area is one of the many disputes that continue to inflame Kurdish-Arab tensions.

The New York Times

Until this month, however, the authorities seemed more than happy to allow government opponents to leave rather than have them continue to inflame opinion within the country.

The New York Times

With national elections set for January, Mr. Maliki must quickly decide whether he intends to provide national leadership or continue to inflame sectarian tensions.

The New York Times

The pace of the CIA drone campaign in Pakistan has slowed considerably this year, but the intermittent strikes continue to inflame anti-American sentiment across the country.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

But, left to smoulder, Yemen risks continuing to inflame the region for years, if not decades to come.

The Guardian - Opinion

There are other issues, like oxytocin overuse, that have continued to inflame pain politics and often sharpened the liberal-conservative divide.

Princeton University

Even as leaders of Cyprus's north and Greek south begin peace talks this week, the dispute over protected status for cheese continues to inflame relations.

Independent

Gradually this pan-Arabism gave way to state-centered interests in countries like Egypt, Iraq and Syria, although the rhetoric of pan-Arabism continues to inflame politics in the Middle East.

The New York Times

So despite his apologies, some critics say the bishop continues to inflame a subject he says he is trying to resolve.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "continue to inflame", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being exacerbated. Specificity enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "continue to inflame" in contexts that don't involve conflict, tension, or negative emotions. This phrase carries a strong connotation of negativity and is inappropriate for neutral or positive situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "continue to inflame" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe actions or situations that exacerbate existing negative conditions. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is correct and usable in written English. The examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "continue to inflame" is a grammatically sound and usable verb phrase that describes the ongoing exacerbation of a situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, serving to express concern or criticism about actions that worsen conflicts or tensions. While appropriate for formal writing, careful consideration should be given to avoid overuse in neutral situations. Alternatives like ""continue to aggravate"" or ""persist in exacerbating"" may provide nuanced alternatives depending on the intended meaning. The provided examples from Ludwig further illustrate its utility in highlighting the detrimental impact of continuous negative actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue to aggravate

This alternative suggests making a situation worse over time, similar to "continue to inflame" but with a slightly weaker connotation.

persist in exacerbating

This implies a deliberate and ongoing effort to worsen a situation, highlighting the persistence of the action.

continue to worsen

This focuses on the gradual decline of a situation, indicating a negative trend that is ongoing.

keep fueling

This suggests that something continues to add energy and strength to a conflict. It is similar to "continue to inflame" but more metaphorical.

sustain the fire

This alternative utilizes a fire metaphor to describe continuing to encourage conflict or disagreement.

maintain the intensity

This expresses the idea of upholding a determined high level of something. It's related to the meaning of "continue to inflame" but with a focus on the level of the action.

perpetuate the tension

This emphasizes the ongoing creation and sustainment of unease and strain.

prolong the conflict

This directly highlights the extension of a disagreement over time, emphasizing the element of continuation.

keep fanning the flames

This metaphorical alternative highlights the action of constantly stirring a negative situation or conflict.

continue to incite

This alternative places more emphasis on provoking a negative reaction or encouraging discord. It implies a more active role in stirring up trouble.

FAQs

How can I use "continue to inflame" in a sentence?

You can use "continue to inflame" to describe actions or words that exacerbate a conflict or negative situation, such as, "The politician's remarks "continue to inflame" tensions in the region".

What are some alternatives to "continue to inflame"?

Alternatives to "continue to inflame" include "continue to aggravate", "persist in exacerbating", or "keep fueling" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to use "continue to inflame" in formal writing?

Yes, "continue to inflame" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when discussing conflicts, tensions, or negative situations. However, consider the specific context and whether a more neutral phrase might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "continue to inflame" and "continue to incite"?

"Continue to inflame" suggests an ongoing exacerbation of an existing situation, while "continue to incite" implies actively provoking or stirring up trouble. The former focuses on intensifying a problem, while the latter focuses on actively causing one.