getting heightened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "getting heightened" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used in contexts where you want to describe an increase in intensity or awareness, but it is better to use more conventional expressions. Example: "As the deadline approached, the tension in the room was getting heightened."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The new science complex now under construction in Allston across the river from the Cambridge, Massachusetts, campus is getting heightened scrutiny given the economic slowdown.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I was by a big glass wall at the time and everything gets heightened.

Independent

But in switching all that up, audiences will be kept on their toes and the jeopardy will get heightened.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Long-term relationships are striving for equilibrium, to balance things out, and I think the impulse to do that gets heightened with kids," Ms. Cholodenko said.

The New York Times

Hackett said of today's challenge: "When you get into the playoffs, and for all intents and purposes this is the start of the playoffs for us, everything gets heightened and put on the quarterback.

The New York Times - Sports

To intuit it, and recognize that the story-germ has some inherent mystery in it, and sort of midwife that mystery into the story in such a way that it isn't damaged in the process, and may even get heightened or refined.

The New Yorker

As with the Holocaust and other historical events that eventually moved from painful reality to memorials and then to museums and academic scholarship, the importance of the civil rights movement gets heightened as the last of the participants begin to die.

The New York Times

(Some laws — those that single out or especially affect people of different races or genders, for example — can get "heightened scrutiny"; the Court has not yet found that gays and lesbians, as a class, can ask for that, but there's a possibility they may find so in Obergefell).

The New Yorker

The level of systemic risk that arises from a bank's activities is significantly influenced by its size, and as size itself can render the challenge of effectively managing a big universal bank near-impossible, that means that systemic risks get heightened even further in such banks.

The New York Times

"The littlest thing gets heightened when you mix ultra-endurance with a lack of sleep and a lack of energy," says Ian Lahart at the University of Wolverhampton in the UK.

BBC

Safety has gotten heightened attention from many principal investigators (PIs) since 2011, when the Los Angeles district attorney brought against Harran the first-ever criminal proceedings in an academic safety case.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "getting heightened", ensure the context clearly indicates an increase in intensity or awareness. However, consider using more conventional alternatives like "increasing", "intensifying", or "receiving increased attention" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "getting heightened" in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "increasing in intensity" or "becoming amplified" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "getting heightened" functions as part of a verb phrase, indicating a process of intensification. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase may sound awkward. The examples show it describing an increase in scrutiny, jeopardy, or attention.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "getting heightened" describes a process of intensification or increased awareness. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, it's not a standard phrase in formal English and can sound awkward. While used in various contexts like News & Media and Science, it's generally better to opt for more formal alternatives such as "increasing in intensity" or "becoming amplified". The phrase might be suitable in informal settings, but in formal writing, precision and clarity are prioritized. Key sources include The New York Times and The Guardian, but usage remains relatively rare.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increasing in intensity

This phrase is more formal and directly refers to the rise in strength or degree.

becoming intensified

Implies a process of making something stronger or more extreme, similar to the original.

becoming amplified

This alternative implies a greater increase in intensity than the original phrase.

becoming more pronounced

Suggests that something is becoming more noticeable or distinct.

becoming more acute

Suggests that something is becoming sharper or more severe.

experiencing heightened awareness

Emphasizes the consciousness or perception aspect.

receiving increased attention

Focuses on the attention aspect rather than the characteristic itself becoming more intense.

receiving more focus

Indicates a concentration of attention on a specific item.

increasingly sensitive

Implies a growing responsiveness or vulnerability.

undergoing greater scrutiny

Highlights the aspect of being examined more closely.

FAQs

What does "getting heightened" mean?

The phrase "getting heightened" generally means that something is increasing in intensity, awareness, or scrutiny. However, it's not a standard phrase in formal English.

What can I say instead of "getting heightened"?

You can use alternatives like "becoming amplified", "increasing in intensity", or "receiving increased attention" depending on the specific context.

Is "getting heightened" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "getting heightened" is not considered standard grammatical English. It's often better to use more formal and widely accepted alternatives.

In what contexts is "getting heightened" appropriate?

The phrase "getting heightened" might be acceptable in informal conversation or creative writing where a less formal tone is desired. However, it's generally avoided in formal or professional contexts.