exacerbate the difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exacerbate the difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing situations that make a problem or challenge worse. Example: "The lack of resources will only exacerbate the difficulty of completing the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

There is broad agreement that the unprecedented size of the Fed's portfolio has complicated its ability to control the pace of inflation, and that additional purchases would exacerbate the difficulty.

The New York Times

Increasingly complex technologies can exacerbate the difficulty of identifying who or what is 'responsible'responsible

SEP

Attentional engagement with negative thought content is likely to contribute to the onset of worry (see Hirsch et al., 2011) while delayed disengagement may exacerbate the difficulty of stopping a worry episode once it has begun.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The existence of such enclaves adds to the fiscal imbalance of neighbouring localities and can exacerbate the difficulties faced by older areas.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Rachel Jones, a principal research scientist with the Guttmacher Institute, says the closure would exacerbate the difficulties for Mississippi residents seeking an abortion; already, nearly two-thirds of those women travel outside the state for their procedures.

The Guardian

Such properties exacerbate the difficulties in spatiotemporal modeling of streamflow data.

Geoscience Letters

When damage begins, localized propagation of delamination cracks, which may lead to catastrophic failures, exacerbate the difficulties.

Dynamic Deformation, Damage and Fracture in Composite Materials and Structures

Punitive approaches can exacerbate the difficulties the individual may be experiencing.

Huffington Post

However, when individuals and populations of different races and regions are compared using the whole genome approach, a large proportion of the redundant and recombining regions exacerbate the difficulties encountered in exploring evolutionary relationships, common traits and disease susceptibilities between populations.

Plosone

This will only exacerbate the difficulties faced by displaced families and their children inside Syria".

Unicef

Gene tree estimation errors may further exacerbate the difficulties of species tree estimation.

Algorithms for Molecular Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exacerbate the difficulty", ensure you clearly identify the cause or factor that is making the difficulty worse. This provides context and strengthens your argument.

Common error

While "exacerbate the difficulty" is a valid phrase, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation or informal writing. Consider simpler alternatives like "make things harder" or "worsen the problem" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exacerbate the difficulty" functions as a verb phrase, where "exacerbate" is the verb indicating the action of making something worse, and "the difficulty" is the object, specifying what is being worsened. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exacerbate the difficulty" is a grammatically sound and readily usable expression that effectively describes the act of worsening an existing problem or challenge. According to Ludwig AI, its use is appropriate for written English, particularly in contexts where a formal or professional tone is desired. While "exacerbate the difficulty" appears less frequently than simpler alternatives, its precision and impact make it valuable in various fields, including science, news, and encyclopedic writing. Understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate register will allow writers to leverage its power effectively. Consider alternatives like "worsen the difficulty" or "aggravate the difficulty" for similar meanings, but remember to choose the expression that best suits your intended audience and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worsen the difficulty

Changes "exacerbate" to a simpler synonym, "worsen".

aggravate the difficulty

Replaces "exacerbate" with "aggravate", another synonym indicating a worsening effect.

intensify the difficulty

Uses "intensify" to convey a stronger degree of making the difficulty more severe.

compound the difficulty

Emphasizes the additive effect of making the difficulty greater.

heighten the difficulty

Highlights an increase in the level or intensity of the difficulty.

add to the difficulty

Indicates an additional factor contributing to the existing difficulty.

magnify the difficulty

Suggests an increase in the perceived size or importance of the difficulty.

increase the severity of the difficulty

Specifically points out that the seriousness of the difficulty is increased.

make the difficulty worse

Expresses the idea in a simpler, more direct manner.

amplify the difficulty

Implies an increase in the intensity or effect of the difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "exacerbate the difficulty" in a sentence?

You can use "exacerbate the difficulty" to describe situations where a particular action or event makes an existing problem or challenge even more difficult to resolve. For example: "The lack of funding will only exacerbate the difficulty of completing the project on time."

What phrases are similar to "exacerbate the difficulty"?

Alternatives to "exacerbate the difficulty" include "worsen the difficulty", "aggravate the difficulty", or "intensify the difficulty".

Is it better to use "exacerbate the difficulty" or "make the difficulty worse"?

"Exacerbate the difficulty" is more formal. "Make the difficulty worse" is simpler and suitable for informal contexts. The best choice depends on the tone and audience of your writing.

What does "exacerbate" mean?

"Exacerbate" means to make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse. Therefore, "exacerbate the difficulty" means to make an existing difficulty even more challenging or problematic.