gets more serious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gets more serious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation or topic that is escalating in intensity or importance. Example: "As the deadline approaches, the project gets more serious, and we need to focus on our tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"Each time he's hospitalised it gets more serious.

Independent

"Imagine what will happen if the selling gets more serious".

The New York Times

The tear-jerking gets more serious when it comes to how poignantly divorced men can miss their families.

The New York Times - Books

But it gets more serious when essential public services, such as the criminal justice system, are to be crippled.

The Guardian

"Research shows that it is underreported – 50% of people wait until it gets more serious before they consider reporting and instead they tend to normalise incidents.

The Guardian

And, hold the front page, there are new LED lamps at the back… Inside, the refresh gets more serious – almost a rethink.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Are they getting more serious?

The New Yorker

Amit got more serious.

The New York Times - Health

Google's smartwatch ambitions get more serious.

The New York Times

She decided to get more serious.

The Guardian

Soon it will get more serious.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gets more serious" to clearly indicate an escalating situation, ensuring the context emphasizes increasing severity or importance. For example: "As the investigation continued, the evidence gets more serious."

Common error

While "gets more serious" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in overly formal writing where more precise or sophisticated language might be preferable. Consider alternatives like "becomes critical" or "intensifies considerably" for a stronger impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gets more serious" functions as a verb phrase, typically acting as the predicate of a clause. It indicates a change in state, specifically an increase in the severity, importance, or intensity of a situation. Ludwig provides examples illustrating its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gets more serious" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate the escalation of a situation. Ludwig examples show its prevalence across various contexts, especially in news and media. While it's generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "becomes critical" or "intensifies considerably" might be preferred in certain settings. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase serves to effectively communicate an increase in severity or importance, making it a versatile option for conveying escalating circumstances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

becomes critical

Suggests the situation has reached a crucial or dangerous stage.

becomes grave

Emphasizes the somber or critical nature of the situation.

intensifies considerably

Focuses on a significant increase in intensity.

escalates rapidly

Highlights the speed at which a situation intensifies.

takes a turn for the worse

Indicates a negative shift in the condition or situation.

deepens considerably

Implies a significant increase in depth or complexity.

assumes greater importance

Highlights the growing significance of something.

grows acute

Emphasizes a sharp or sudden increase in intensity.

hardens into

Implies that a negative or difficult state is becoming more solid or fixed

moves up a gear

Suggests an increase in intensity or effort, much like shifting gears in a car

FAQs

How can I rephrase "gets more serious"?

You can use alternatives like "becomes critical", "intensifies considerably", or "escalates rapidly" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean when a situation "gets more serious"?

It means that the situation is escalating in severity, importance, or potential consequences. It implies a shift from a less critical state to one that demands greater attention and concern.

Is "gets more serious" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "gets more serious" might be too informal for certain formal contexts. Consider using stronger alternatives such as "becomes increasingly critical" or "assumes greater importance" for enhanced impact.

When is it best to use "gets more serious" over other alternatives?

Use "gets more serious" when you want to clearly and directly indicate that a situation is escalating without necessarily emphasizing a specific type of escalation (e.g., speed, depth, or negativity). It's a versatile phrase suitable for many general contexts.