exacerbated the situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exacerbated the situation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing how an action or event has worsened a particular circumstance or problem. Example: "The lack of communication between the departments exacerbated the situation, leading to further misunderstandings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Sabotage and power outages exacerbated the situation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Garden jitters may have exacerbated the situation.

The New York Times - Sports

Well, at least exacerbated the situation there.

The New Yorker

Iggy Pop's dependency on heroin further exacerbated the situation.

The Guardian - Music

Every move since then has exacerbated the situation.

The New York Times - Sports

The hysteria of stranger danger has exacerbated the situation.

The Guardian

He was struggling with his swing, which exacerbated the situation.

The New York Times - Sports

The impact of austerity cuts exacerbated the situation.

The Guardian

The economic downturn has exacerbated the situation, industry analysts say.

The Washington Post

This delay had a serious consequence as it exacerbated the situation of bank run.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Drought was not the only factor but the fact that 1.5 million people were displaced exacerbated [the situation].

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exacerbated the situation" when you want to emphasize that something specific made a pre-existing problem worse. Avoid using it as a general substitute for "worsened" if the nuance of pre-existing conditions isn't relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "exacerbated the situation" when a simpler term like "worsened" or "aggravated" would suffice. Overusing complex vocabulary can make your writing sound pretentious. Opt for clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exacerbated the situation" functions as a verb phrase, where "exacerbated" is a transitive verb taking "the situation" as its direct object. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exacerbated the situation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to describe how something has worsened a pre-existing problem. Predominantly found in News & Media, Academic, and Formal & Business contexts, it carries a neutral to formal tone. For alternatives, consider "aggravated the situation", "worsened the situation", or "intensified the situation". When writing, remember that while the phrase is versatile, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate in less formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aggravated the situation

Similar in meaning, but slightly more common and implies making something worse or more serious.

worsened the situation

A more general term for making something worse; less formal than "exacerbated".

intensified the situation

Focuses on the increase in intensity of a situation, often implying a heightening of emotions or conflict.

complicated the situation

Highlights the added complexity and difficulty resulting from an action or event.

inflamed the situation

Suggests an increase in anger or hostility, often used in contexts of conflict or disagreement.

deteriorated the situation

Emphasizes the decline or decay of a situation, suggesting a loss of quality or condition.

escalated the situation

Indicates a rapid increase in intensity or severity, often used in contexts of conflict or crisis.

compounded the problem

Similar to "exacerbated the situation", but directly refers to compounding a problem instead of the overall state of affairs.

magnified the issue

Suggests an increase in the apparent size or importance of an issue.

heightened the tension

Implies an increase in stress, strain, or anxiety within a given scenario.

FAQs

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

The phrase "exacerbated the situation" is used to describe an action or event that made a bad situation even worse. For example, "The lack of communication "exacerbated the situation", leading to further misunderstandings."

What are some alternatives to "exacerbated the situation"?

You can use alternatives such as "aggravated the situation", "worsened the situation", or "intensified the situation" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "exacerbated the situation" instead of "worsened the situation"?

"Exacerbated the situation" is more appropriate when referring to something that made an already bad situation demonstrably worse. "Worsened the situation" is a more general term and can be used more broadly.

Is "exacerbated the situation" formal or informal?

The phrase "exacerbated the situation" is generally considered to be more formal than alternatives like "worsened the situation". It's suitable for academic, professional, and news contexts.