deteriorated

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "deteriorated" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when referring to something that has changed for the worse over time, e.g., "The condition of the building had deteriorated significantly over the past decade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nevertheless, my health has deteriorated to the point that only 20% of my lungs now work and my lung capacity has shrunk to less than the size of two Coke cans.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Their final game, at home to Manchester United, was Jimmy Armfield's last too, his 569th for the club; he was given a guard of honour by both teams, after which things deteriorated.

The Guardian - Sport

Their relationship deteriorated when he was a teenager, but they eventually reconciled.

The Guardian

His physical problems deteriorated further after he was out campaigning for a Cornish parliament in south-west England when the bus he was sitting on swerved and he hit his head on a metal rail.

The Guardian

It is true that some panels will still be operating after 2030, although we have heard many stories of poorly-performing systems and I have had the personal experience of discarding some panels that were about 10 years old because they had badly deteriorated.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Pauline's condition has deteriorated to a critical state, although she stabilised yesterday and continues to receive the best possible care," he said.

The Guardian

But in 2012, German-Russian relations deteriorated after Berlin's criticism of Russia's presidential election and crackdown on the opposition, and ties have soured even further over the Ukraine crisis.

The Guardian

His physical problems deteriorated further after he was out campaigning in south-west England for a Cornish parliament when he was sitting on a bus which swerved and caused his head to hit a metal rail.

The Guardian

AWH's financial position deteriorated as Sydney Water questioned the value of the expenses being charged to it and for a time AWH could not pay the superannuation of its employees or its tax bill.

The Guardian

The hospital issued a statement on Saturday afternoon saying that her condition had deteriorated over the previous two days and that the volunteer nurse was now in a critical condition.

The Guardian

At Leicester, student satisfaction deteriorated, while at Aston value-added scores worsened, particularly in the area of English and creative writing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deteriorated", ensure that the subject and context clearly indicate what has declined or worsened. Provide specific details to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "deteriorated" with overly abstract subjects that lack tangible qualities. For instance, instead of saying "Happiness deteriorated", consider specifying what factors contributed to the decline in happiness for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "deteriorated" functions primarily as a verb in the past tense or as a past participle. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It is used to indicate that something has declined in quality, condition, or value, as showcased in many examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

29%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deteriorated" is a grammatically correct and versatile verb used to describe a decline in quality, condition, or value. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English and finds frequent application across diverse contexts, notably in news, formal business communication, and scientific reporting. While alternatives like "worsened" or "declined" may be appropriate depending on the specific context, "deteriorated" serves as a generally applicable term for describing a negative change. When writing, ensure the subject is concrete and the context clear to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

declined

Focuses on a downward trend or decrease in quality or condition.

worsened

Emphasizes the aggravation or intensification of a negative situation.

degenerated

Implies a decline to a lower or corrupt state.

regressed

Suggests a return to a previous, less developed state.

slipped

Indicates a gradual decline or loss of position.

fallen

Emphasizes a drop in status or quality.

diminished

Highlights a reduction in size, extent, or importance.

decayed

Focuses on gradual decomposition or decline, often in physical terms.

crumbled

Suggests a collapse or breakdown, often in a figurative sense.

atrophied

Implies a wasting away or decline due to disuse or neglect.

FAQs

How can I use "deteriorated" in a sentence?

Use "deteriorated" to describe a decline in condition or quality. For example, "The building's condition "deteriorated" rapidly after the flood".

What can I say instead of "deteriorated"?

You can use alternatives like "worsened", "declined", or "degenerated" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "deteriorated" or "deteriorating"?

"Deteriorated" is the past tense and past participle of "deteriorate", used to describe something that has already declined. "Deteriorating" is the present participle, used for ongoing decline. Choose based on the timing of the decline.

What's the difference between "deteriorated" and "decayed"?

"Decayed" often implies a natural process of decomposition, while ""deteriorated"" is a more general term for decline in quality or condition, not necessarily due to natural causes.