exacerbating the problem

USAGE SUMMARY

"exacerbating the problem" is correct and can be used in written English.
You might use it in a sentence like this: "The recent budget cuts are only exacerbating the problem of homelessness in the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Waxes in the oil can also solidify, exacerbating the problem.

MIT Technology Review

Government spending more and more in excess of its revenue is exacerbating the problem.

University of California, Berkeley

Exacerbating the problem is the fact that the costs of research and training increase every year.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Rapid urbanization and expansion of intensive irrigation are also exacerbating the problem.

Columbia University

When we continually talk about women stalling in their careers, are we actually exacerbating the problem?

The Guardian

Out in the Sonoran desert, Younglas explains, increased border patrols are exacerbating the problem.

The Guardian

"We are seeing this repeated displacement of civilians, which is exacerbating the problem.

The Economist

"My position is that it is highly likely that we are exacerbating the problem.

Independent

And some of the programs he's putting forward are exacerbating the problem".

The New York Times

Not surprisingly, American officials reject the claim that current policy is exacerbating the problem.

The New York Times

But a perfect storm of problems is exacerbating the problem to potentially deadly levels.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "worsening", "aggravating", or "compounding" to add variety to your writing, especially if you use "exacerbating the problem" frequently.

Common error

Avoid using "exacerbating the problem" without clearly establishing what the problem is. Without context, the phrase becomes vague and loses its impact. Always ensure the reader understands the initial issue before you describe how something is making it worse.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exacerbating the problem" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a larger sentence to describe how a particular action or situation is worsening an existing issue. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

27%

Science

21%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exacerbating the problem" is a commonly used phrase that effectively conveys the idea of something worsening an existing issue. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It is found most frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines the problem and how the action worsens it. Consider synonyms like "worsening", "aggravating", or "compounding" to enhance your writing. According to the data, the phrase sees use in both formal and neutral contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worsening the issue

This alternative directly replaces "problem" with "issue" and "exacerbating" with "worsening", maintaining a high degree of semantic similarity.

aggravating the situation

This alternative replaces "problem" with "situation" and "exacerbating" with "aggravating", indicating a comparable effect on the overall scenario.

compounding the difficulty

This alternative uses "compounding" in place of "exacerbating" and "difficulty" instead of "problem", suggesting an increase in the complexity of the issue.

intensifying the crisis

This alternative uses "intensifying" and "crisis" to convey a heightened sense of urgency and severity, which aligns with the negative connotation of "exacerbating".

heightening the challenge

This alternative replaces "problem" with "challenge" and uses "heightening", suggesting that the difficulty is increasing.

further complicating matters

This alternative uses a more descriptive phrasing to indicate that the issue is becoming more intricate and difficult to manage.

adding fuel to the fire

This idiomatic expression indicates that something is making a bad situation even worse, similar to "exacerbating the problem".

making matters worse

A straightforward alternative that directly conveys the idea of a situation deteriorating.

inflaming the tensions

This alternative is more specific, referring to an increase in tension or conflict.

magnifying the impact

This alternative suggests the problem is becoming more visible or influential, similar to it getting worse.

FAQs

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

You can use "exacerbating the problem" to describe actions or factors that are making an existing problem worse. For example, "The lack of funding is exacerbating the problem of homelessness."

What are some alternatives to saying "exacerbating the problem"?

You can use alternatives like "worsening the issue", "aggravating the situation", or "compounding the difficulty" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "exacerbating the issue" instead of "exacerbating the problem"?

Yes, "exacerbating the issue" is a correct and commonly used alternative. The choice between "problem" and "issue" often depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

What's the difference between "exacerbating the problem" and "solving the problem"?

"Exacerbating the problem" means making the problem worse, while "solving the problem" means finding a solution to eliminate the problem. They are opposite in meaning.