exacerbated the problems

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exacerbated the problems" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing situations where existing issues have been made worse or intensified. Example: "The heavy rainfall exacerbated the problems already faced by the local farmers, leading to significant crop damage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

The Brotherhood seems to have exacerbated the problems.

The New Yorker

While the Sept. 11 events exacerbated the problems, the city's precipitous fiscal slide predated the attacks.

The New York Times

He said that it exacerbated the problems of the funding formulas.

The New York Times

Critics say mismanagement and lack of investment have exacerbated the problems.

The Guardian

Instead they made choices to keep "law and order" in ways that exacerbated the problems facing low-income communities.

The Guardian - Opinion

Unemployment and underemployment have exacerbated the problems of poverty, crime, and ethnic tensions, especially in urban areas.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 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

He adds that governance issues have exacerbated the problem.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exacerbated the problems", ensure that the context clearly establishes the pre-existing issues. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "exacerbated the problems" when a simpler phrase like "worsened the situation" is more appropriate. Overusing complex vocabulary can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exacerbated the problems" functions as a verb phrase. It describes an action that intensifies or worsens existing difficulties. Ludwig AI examples shows its use in various contexts, often following a noun or clause that identifies the cause of the intensification.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exacerbated the problems" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe how something has worsened existing issues. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in various contexts, primarily appearing in news, science, and formal business domains. When writing, ensure the context clearly establishes pre-existing issues. While effective, consider simpler alternatives like "worsened the issues" in less formal settings to avoid sounding pretentious.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made matters worse

A simple and direct way of saying that something worsened the existing problems.

worsened the issues

Replaces "exacerbated" with a simpler and more common synonym, "worsened".

aggravated the situation

Uses "aggravated" to convey a similar meaning of making something worse.

compounded the difficulties

Emphasizes the additive effect of making the problems more complex.

intensified the challenges

Highlights the increase in the intensity of the problems.

heightened the concerns

Focuses on the increase in worry or anxiety related to the problems.

inflamed the crisis

Suggests a more volatile and urgent worsening of the situation.

deteriorated the conditions

Focuses on the decline in the quality or state of the existing situation.

exaggerated the difficulties

Implies that the problems are made to seem larger than they actually are.

added fuel to the fire

An idiomatic expression indicating that something made the situation much worse.

FAQs

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

Use "exacerbated the problems" to describe how a particular action or event made an existing set of issues even worse. For example, "The lack of funding "exacerbated the problems" faced by the local schools".

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

You can use alternatives like "worsened the issues", "aggravated the situation", or "compounded the difficulties" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "exacerbated the problem" or "exacerbated the problems"?

Use "exacerbated the problem" when referring to a single, overarching issue. Use "exacerbated the problems" when referring to multiple, interconnected issues. The choice depends on the specific context you're describing.

What is the difference between "exacerbated the problems" and "alleviated the problems"?

"Exacerbated the problems" means to make the problems worse, while "alleviated the problems" means to make them less severe or easier to bear. They are antonyms.