exacerbated the problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exacerbated the problem" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to make a problem worse, and can be used in any situation where a problem has been made worse by someone or something. For example, "The company's decision to close the factory exacerbated the problem of unemployment in the area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Advertising has exacerbated the problem, she says.

Independent

A 1950 industrial explosion exacerbated the problem.

The Economist

Flying might have exacerbated the problem.

The New York Times - Sports

This exacerbated the problem, she said.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Now they're not, and it's really exacerbated the problem.

The New York Times

But to some students, that only exacerbated the problem.

The New York Times

He adds that governance issues have exacerbated the problem.

The Guardian

The increase in stadium catering facilities has exacerbated the problem.

The Guardian - Sport

An injury to guard Vickie Johnson only exacerbated the problem.

The New York Times - Sports

A bad job market for recent graduates and skyrocketing education costs have greatly exacerbated the problem.

The Guardian - Opinion

The decline in air service likely has also exacerbated the problem.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exacerbated the problem", ensure that the context clearly identifies what initially caused the problem and how the exacerbating factor worsened it. This provides clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "exacerbated the problem" for minor inconveniences. This phrase is best suited for situations where a significant issue has been noticeably worsened.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exacerbated the problem" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that something has made an existing issue worse. Ludwig shows examples from diverse contexts, demonstrating its widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exacerbated the problem" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes the worsening of an existing issue. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. Analysis of example sentences reveals that it's particularly prevalent in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. While suitable for many situations, avoid using it for trivial matters, and be sure to clarify the original problem and the exacerbating factor. Alternative phrases such as "worsened the issue" or "aggravated the situation" offer similar meanings with subtle differences in tone and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Worsened the issue

Replaces "problem" with "issue" offering a slight variation in the specific matter being discussed.

Aggravated the situation

Substitutes "exacerbated" with "aggravated" and "problem" with "situation", implying a more intense worsening.

Intensified the difficulty

Replaces "exacerbated" with "intensified" and "problem" with "difficulty", focusing on the heightening of the challenge.

Made the matter worse

Offers a more direct and simpler way of expressing that the problem has been made more severe.

Compound the challenge

Implies that something has been added to the challenge, making it more complex and difficult.

Inflamed the crisis

Suggests a more volatile and urgent worsening of the problem, using "inflamed" to indicate heightened intensity.

Heightened the concern

Shifts the focus to the increase in worry or anxiety surrounding the problem.

Magnified the repercussions

Emphasizes that the negative consequences of the problem have been amplified.

Further complicated the matter

Focuses on the increased complexity of the issue at hand.

Contributed to the escalation of the problem

Highlights the contribution to the increase in severity and scope of the problem.

FAQs

How can I use "exacerbated the problem" in a sentence?

You can use "exacerbated the problem" to describe situations where an action or event made an existing issue worse. For example, "The lack of funding only exacerbated the problem of homelessness".

What's a formal alternative to "exacerbated the problem"?

A more formal alternative would be "aggravated the situation" or "compounded the difficulties". These alternatives maintain a similar meaning but sound more sophisticated.

Which is correct: "exacerbated the problem" or "aggravated the problem"?

Both phrases are correct and generally interchangeable. "Exacerbated" suggests making something already bad even worse, while "aggravated" implies making something more annoying or serious. Choose the word that best fits the context.

What can I say instead of "exacerbated the problem"?

You can use alternatives like "worsened the issue", "intensified the difficulty", or "made the matter worse" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.