continue to worsen

USAGE SUMMARY

"continue to worsen" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is getting worse over time, or that the pace of a worsening situation has not slowed down. For example: "Experts warn that the global climate crisis will continue to worsen without urgent action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Investors fear banks' losses on loans will continue to worsen, particularly if unemployment keeps rising.

The New York Times

The fallout would continue to worsen if the inaction and stalemate continue into late January.

The New York Times

Her liver would continue to worsen, and at some point she would die without a transplant.

The New York Times

And I think, if the economic reports continue to worsen, that it's going to drive investment in those areas.

The New York Times

Until this problem is effectively addressed, our high-cost, low-quality medical system will continue to worsen.

The New Yorker

Many – including one of the dogs – are seasick as the weather and the seas continue to worsen.

The Guardian

While demand for these twin-engine planes could flag if airline economic conditions continue to worsen, current orders are robust.

The New York Times

Fukuyama's conclusion is pessimistic: There are a lot of reasons to think that inequality will continue to worsen.

The New York Times

If things continue to worsen, and late winter and spring showers fail to materialize, the city would declare a drought emergency.

The New York Times

As long as a few rich countries have the power to set the rules to their own advantage, inequality will continue to worsen.

The Guardian

However Britain's public sector finances continue to worsen, with the country borrowing £11.8bn in September, 15% more than a year ago.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "continue to worsen", ensure that the context clearly establishes the initial negative state. This provides a stronger sense of the ongoing deterioration.

Common error

Avoid using "continue to worsen" in situations where a more nuanced or descriptive phrase would be appropriate. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly dramatic or repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "continue to worsen" functions as a verb phrase indicating an ongoing deterioration. It emphasizes that a negative condition is not only present but is also actively becoming more severe, as Ludwig's examples illustrate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "continue to worsen" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe an ongoing deterioration. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples from reputable sources spanning News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. While versatile, it's best employed when emphasizing the persistence of a negative trend and should be used judiciously to avoid melodrama. Alternatives like "deteriorate further" or "become progressively worse" offer similar meanings, but the best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become progressively worse

Stresses the step-by-step nature of the decline.

deteriorate further

Focuses specifically on the process of decline.

decline steadily

Emphasizes the constant and gradual nature of the worsening condition.

exacerbate further

Highlights the act of making something already bad even worse.

grow more critical

Implies a turning point where the situation is increasingly dangerous.

go from bad to worse

Highlights the transition from an already unfavorable state to an even more unfavorable one.

degenerate further

Similar to deteriorate, but can imply a loss of positive qualities.

intensify steadily

Highlights an ongoing, continuous increase in intensity of the negative condition.

spiral downward

Indicates a rapid and uncontrolled worsening.

take a turn for the worse

Implies a specific event that initiated the worsening.

FAQs

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

You can use "continue to worsen" to describe a situation, condition, or trend that is progressively deteriorating. For example, "If we don't address climate change, the effects will continue to worsen."

What are some alternatives to "continue to worsen"?

Some alternatives include "deteriorate further", "become progressively worse", or "exacerbate further", depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "continue to worsen"?

While the word "worsen" already implies a continuation of a negative trend, using "continue to worsen" can emphasize the ongoing nature of the deterioration and reinforce the urgency of the situation.

What is the register of the phrase "continue to worsen"?

The phrase "continue to worsen" is generally neutral in register and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more common in news reports and analytical writing.