getting ever worse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "getting ever worse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that is continuously deteriorating over time. Example: "The weather conditions have been getting ever worse, making it difficult for us to travel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Today there are 71,000 NATO troops in Afghanistan, yet things are getting ever worse.

The New York Times

"Our performances are getting ever worse," the fencer Imke Duplitzer told Bild, "because the system is in a shambles.

The Guardian - Sport

As an instinctive green and a former member of Greenpeace, he was surprised to find that the world's environment is not, in fact, getting ever worse.

The Economist

The traffic is getting ever worse (a working metro is due only in 2020) but even so it is easier to stroll around this city centre that those of Bangkok or Jakarta.

The Economist

As the forum heard repeatedly, Japan's economic prospects are getting ever worse; and, although there are signs of a pick-up in Europe, it hardly looks like an engine for global growth.A capacity glut, especially in Asia, is exporting deflationary pressures to the United States.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

But in recent days things appear to have gotten ever worse.

The New Yorker

Garbage lies uncollected, unlicensed venders jam the barrio's narrow streets and stairways, and crime gets ever worse.

The New Yorker

People also worry that the ratio will get ever worse, deteriorating towards Chinese levels (which are even more extreme: on a comparable basis, China's sex ratio at birth is about 833).

The Economist

Miliband turns his attentions to poll dancing Ed Miliband's staff say he is staying calm and focused on the long term as his position in the opinion polls gets ever worse.

Independent

He eventually dropped his opposition to the larger plan, as the Bush administration did.Will either allow further nationalisations if the banking system again comes under threat?These opposite starting positions will matter if the crisis gets ever worse.

The Economist

Updated at 11.40am BST 11.22am BST Greek jobless crisis tipped to worsen Over to Greece where our correspondent Helena Smith says ahead of the hotly anticipated ECB head's speech today, the economic indicators get ever worse in the country that triggered the euro zone crisis.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "getting ever worse" to describe a situation that is not only bad but is also continuously deteriorating. It is suitable for expressing concern or frustration about ongoing negative trends.

Common error

While acceptable, "getting ever worse" can sound less formal. In highly professional documents, consider alternatives like "steadily deteriorating" or "consistently worsening" to maintain a more objective and serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "getting ever worse" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating a continuous decline or deterioration of a situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and understandable expression. It's often used to express concern or frustration about ongoing negative trends.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "getting ever worse" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a situation that is continuously deteriorating. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While it effectively conveys a sense of ongoing decline, writers should consider using more formal alternatives like "steadily deteriorating" in professional or academic settings. Overall, the phrase is a useful and understandable way to express concern or frustration about negative trends.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consistently worsening

Focuses on the lack of improvement and the reliable decline.

steadily deteriorating

Highlights the gradual and consistent nature of the worsening situation.

progressively declining

Similar to continuously declining, but may imply a more measurable decline.

continuously declining

Emphasizes an ongoing downward trend, focusing on the continuous aspect of the decline.

declining more and more

Highlights the increasing intensity of the decline over time.

going from bad to worse

Idiomatic expression indicating a clear worsening of circumstances.

increasingly bad

A simpler alternative that directly conveys the growing negativity.

spiraling downward

Suggests a rapid and uncontrolled decline.

on a downward spiral

Similar to spiraling downward, but emphasizes the continuous nature of the decline.

taking a turn for the worse

Indicates a specific point where the situation started to decline.

FAQs

How can I use "getting ever worse" in a sentence?

You can use "getting ever worse" to describe a situation that is continuously deteriorating, such as "The traffic in the city is "getting ever worse", making commutes longer".

What's a more formal alternative to "getting ever worse"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "steadily deteriorating", "progressively declining", or "consistently worsening".

Is "getting ever worse" grammatically correct?

Yes, "getting ever worse" is grammatically correct and understandable in English. It's a common way to express that something is continuously declining.

What situations are appropriate for using "getting ever worse"?

"Getting ever worse" is appropriate for situations where there is a clear and ongoing decline, like "The economic situation is "getting ever worse" due to the ongoing recession".