exacerbating their problems

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exacerbating their problems" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations or actions that worsen existing issues or difficulties. Example: "The lack of communication among team members is exacerbating their problems and hindering project progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In the end, prison was clearly exacerbating their problems and confirming their view of themselves as criminals.

The Guardian

Inadvertently what hospitals often do is they decompensate, not intentionally but by the very nature of caring for people we're actually sometimes, in many cases, exacerbating their problems.

BBC

Inadvertently what hospitals often do is they decompensate, not intentionally but by the very nature of caring for people we are actually sometimes, in many cases, exacerbating their problems.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Men are less willing to talk about depression, and their misery expresses itself in ways that exacerbate their problems, such as drinking and drug-taking.

The Economist

The austerity approach has come under fire because countries grappling with shrinking economies stand to exacerbate their problems by cutting spending and raising taxes.

The New York Times

But what we ended up with at the peak of the cycle was a bunch of naive entrepreneurs, and the economic downturn has only exacerbated their problems". Although the good and bad of gentrification may always be in dispute, all agree that the process has halted, at least for the time being.

The New York Times

A recent downgrading of American monoline insurers by rating agencies has also exacerbated their problems.

Forbes

Reversing recent efforts to discipline spending, the government's package raises concerns about excessive investment and "may only ultimately exacerbate their problems," Belchere said.

Forbes

Were the Obama administration really to give the states flexibility we could see an extension of the current trends: Many blue states, riddled with debt, high taxes and fleeing populations, would likely pass costly new health care laws that only exacerbate their problems.

Forbes

Over the last five years I've encountered several examples where people with mental health difficulties have formed online groups that seem to exacerbate their problems.

Vice

Many from Syria's internally displaced population were also economically disadvantaged prior to the conflict, which exacerbated their problems once they were forced to flee.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone of your writing. "Exacerbating" is a more formal term; if a less formal tone is desired, alternatives such as "worsening" or "aggravating" may be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "exacerbating their problems" when introducing a new problem. This phrase is specifically for situations where existing problems are being made worse, not for creating new ones.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exacerbating their problems" functions as a verbal phrase, where "exacerbating" acts as a present participle modifying "their problems." This indicates an ongoing action that is worsening a pre-existing situation. The Ludwig examples showcase various contexts where this phrase is used to describe the worsening of existing difficulties.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66.66%

Science

33.33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exacerbating their problems" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of worsening existing difficulties. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its frequency is relatively rare. It's commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity in defining the original issues and how they are intensified. Consider alternatives like "worsening their difficulties" for a less formal approach. Ensure you are using "exacerbating their problems" when you want to highlight the negative impact of a particular action. Be careful not to use it when you are introducing a new problem. Remember to check the frequency when you want to use this word.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worsening their difficulties

Replaces "exacerbating" with "worsening", a more common synonym. The overall meaning remains the same, but the tone is slightly less formal.

aggravating their issues

Substitutes "exacerbating" with "aggravating" and "problems" with "issues", making the phrase slightly less severe in tone.

intensifying their challenges

Replaces "exacerbating" with "intensifying" and "problems" with "challenges", providing a more formal and nuanced alternative.

compounding their troubles

Uses "compounding" to indicate that the problems are increasing or becoming more complex, which is more dramatic compared to "exacerbating".

heightening their concerns

Shifts the focus to "concerns" rather than "problems", implying a more emotional or psychological impact.

fueling their crises

Uses "fueling" to suggest that the problems are actively being made worse, adding a sense of urgency.

deepening their woes

Replaces "exacerbating" with "deepening" and "problems" with "woes", creating a more somber and emphatic tone.

worsening their situation

Uses "worsening" which is a more direct and less formal synonym for "exacerbating", and situation in place of problems for a less specific feel.

complicating their lives

Substitutes "problems" with "lives", indicating that the difficulties are having a broader impact on their overall well-being.

magnifying their difficulties

Replaces "exacerbating" with "magnifying", suggesting that the problems are being made to seem larger or more significant.

FAQs

What does "exacerbating their problems" mean?

It means to make existing problems worse or more severe. It implies that the situation was already difficult, and something is now intensifying those difficulties.

When is it appropriate to use "exacerbating their problems" in writing?

Use it when you want to emphasize that a particular action or situation is actively worsening an already challenging scenario. It's suitable for formal writing where precision is important.

What are some alternatives to "exacerbating their problems"?

You can use alternatives like "worsening their difficulties", "aggravating their issues", or "intensifying their challenges" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "exacerbating their problems" a grammatically correct phrase?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Exacerbating" is a verb form used as a participle modifying the noun phrase "their problems".