degrade further

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "degrade further" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a decline in quality, status, or condition, indicating that something is deteriorating beyond its current state. Example: "If we do not address the issue soon, the situation will degrade further, leading to more significant problems."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Conversely, if we let the hot spots degrade further, we're going to lose a large proportion of global biodiversity regardless of how successful we are elsewhere".

The New York Times - Science

The air he breathes is expected to degrade further as oil prices rebound and drilling picks up in the Eagle Ford.

The Guardian

These moves may save money in the short run, but they will leave the university awash in obsolete technologies and also degrade further the environment of learning in public universities.

University of California, Berkeley

Of course, the line between web and desktop is already blurry, and it'll degrade further.

TechCrunch

For that reason, short-term fairness becomes almost independent of the network size for sufficiently large topologies, i.e., short-term fairness does not degrade further once the network size becomes sufficiently large.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

It is anticipated that site conditions will degrade further in the future if the groundwater depletion intensifies and if climate change leads to higher temperatures and lower precipitation as projected (NW-FVA, Nordwestdeutsche Forstliche Versuchsanstalt Hrsg. [2013]): p. 40 ff).. Already the Rhine-Main region is one of driest and warmest regions in Hessen.

Forest Ecosystems

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

However, HQ could not be degraded further by strain JS443 and therefore it was suggested to be a degradation byproduct and/or dead-end degradation product (Jain et al. 1994).

AMB Express

The products of are glucose 1-phosphate and chains of sugar molecules shortened by one unit; the chains are degraded further by repetition of step.

Britannica

Since 2003, 450,000 people in Inner Mongolia have been moved off land to prevent it degrading further.

The Economist

In this case, the products of fermentation need not act as "hydrogen sinks," in which the energy in the molecule is lost when they leave the cell; instead, the products of fermentation can be degraded further, during phase III of catabolism, and all the usable chemical energy of the nutrient can be transformed into ATP.

Britannica

Moreover, each time these materials are downcycled, the quality degrades further leaving behind material with less and less useful value.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "degrade further" when you want to emphasize that something is not just bad, but is actively getting worse.

Common error

While "degrade further" is acceptable, consider more precise synonyms like "deteriorate" or "decline" in formal or scientific contexts for enhanced clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "degrade further" functions as a verb phrase followed by an adverb, indicating a continuing process of decline or deterioration. It specifies that something is not just in a state of degradation but is actively becoming worse. Ludwig AI confirms that this is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

37%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "degrade further" signifies a continuing decline in quality or condition and is grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While its frequency is uncommon, it appears in diverse contexts, particularly science and news media. It's generally used to express concern about something worsening and to prompt action. When writing, ensure the tone matches the context, considering synonyms like "deteriorate more" for more formal situations. While versatile, it's essential to employ it thoughtfully to convey the intended meaning clearly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deteriorate more

Focuses specifically on the process of something becoming worse over time.

worsen further

A more general term for something becoming bad to a greater extent.

decline further

Emphasizes a downward trend or reduction in quality or condition.

fall into disrepair

Implies a state of neglect leading to damage and deterioration.

go downhill

An idiomatic expression suggesting a rapid decline in quality or condition.

become more impaired

Highlights the reduction in function or ability.

degenerate further

Suggests a loss of positive qualities or characteristics.

exacerbate

Implies the worsening of an already negative situation.

intensify

Focuses on the increase in strength or severity of a negative condition.

aggravate

Highlights making a situation worse or more serious.

FAQs

How can I use "degrade further" in a sentence?

You can use "degrade further" to describe a decline in quality or condition. For example, "If we don't address the pollution, the environment will "degrade further"".

What are some alternatives to "degrade further"?

Alternatives include "deteriorate more", "worsen further", or "decline further", depending on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "degrade further" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "degrade further" might sound less formal. In highly formal or scientific writing, consider using "deteriorate more" or a more specific term.

What's the difference between "degrade further" and "deteriorate further"?

"Degrade further" generally implies a reduction in quality or moral standing, while "deteriorate further" usually refers to a decline in physical condition or functionality. However, they are often used interchangeably.