exacerbates the issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exacerbates the issue" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a situation or action that makes a problem worse or more severe. Example: "The lack of communication between departments exacerbates the issue of project delays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"This rhetoric exacerbates the issue at hand and in essence is a further attack on those we aim to defend".

The Guardian

The Yankees continued their conquest of the rest of the major leagues, which only exacerbates the issue of payroll disparity.

The New York Times - Sports

According to the NSPCC, online bullying is quickly becoming the main type of bullying that children and young people contact ChildLine about, and the 24/7 nature of social media only exacerbates the issue.

The Guardian

What exacerbates the issue is that my son's school is oversubscribed (it's very good) so his classes run from 12pm to 6pm – junior classes have the building in the morning.

The Guardian

The availability of low-nutrient, high-calorie foods and beverages to students via vending machines further exacerbates the issue of childhood obesity.

Public Health

Now, this problem does not only become a national concern and cause public panic in China (Li 2012a), but also exacerbates the issue of inequity in relation to the long-term development of ECE and the stability of the Chinese society.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Competition has exacerbated the issue.

The Guardian

Delaying these vital decisions will only exacerbate the issue".

Independent

So presumably sportswomen -wearing thongs only serve to exacerbate the issue.

The Guardian - Sport

But critics charge his solutions are likely to exacerbate the issue.

The Guardian - Tech

The ruling Zanu-PF's party policies have also exacerbated the issue.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exacerbates the issue", ensure the context clearly defines the original issue and how the action or situation makes it worse. Strong verbs paired with this phrase can enhance the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "exacerbates the issue" when the situation simply maintains the status quo or has no effect on the problem. Ensure that the described action actively worsens the existing problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exacerbates the issue" functions as a verb phrase that typically follows a noun or clause, indicating that something is making a problem worse. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Examples show it used to describe how various factors worsen existing problems.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exacerbates the issue" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that worsens a problem or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and its usage is most common in news, media, and scientific writing. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the original issue and how the action intensifies it. Related alternatives include "worsens the problem" and "aggravates the matter". Avoid using the phrase if the action doesn't actively worsen the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worsens the problem

This alternative directly replaces "exacerbates" with "worsens" maintaining a high degree of semantic similarity.

makes the situation worse

A straightforward and less formal way of expressing the same meaning.

aggravates the matter

This phrase uses "aggravates" instead of "exacerbates" and "matter" instead of "issue", providing a slightly more formal tone.

compounds the problem

Using "compounds" shifts the focus to the additive effect of making the problem worse.

intensifies the difficulty

This alternative replaces "exacerbates" with "intensifies" and "issue" with "difficulty", slightly changing the emphasis.

deepens the crisis

This alternative emphasizes the deepening of a critical situation.

heightens the concern

This alternative focuses on increasing worry or apprehension about the issue.

adds fuel to the fire

This idiomatic expression conveys the idea of making a bad situation even worse.

complicates the situation

This suggests the issue is made more intricate or complex.

magnifies the challenge

This alternative implies that the challenge becomes larger or more significant.

FAQs

How can I use "exacerbates the issue" in a sentence?

Use "exacerbates the issue" to describe something that makes a problem worse. For example: "The lack of funding exacerbates the issue of homelessness."

What can I say instead of "exacerbates the issue"?

Alternatives include "worsens the problem", "aggravates the matter", or "compounds the problem", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "exacerbates the situation" instead of "exacerbates the issue"?

Yes, "exacerbates the situation" is a grammatically correct and semantically similar alternative. Both phrases convey the idea of making something worse.

What's the difference between "exacerbates the issue" and "addresses the issue"?

"Exacerbates the issue" means to make a problem worse, while "addresses the issue" means to deal with or try to solve a problem. They have opposite meanings.