got progressively worse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "got progressively worse" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a gradual worsening of something over time, such as a person's health or a situation. For example: "The drought in the region got progressively worse over the summer, with no sign of relief."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's just got progressively worse and I've progressed to this point where I am such a bad person that even the prisons can't handle me".

BBC

It got progressively worse".

The New York Times - Sports

Wolford got progressively worse.

The Washington Post

"It got progressively worse," he said.

The New York Times

In fact, she got progressively worse.

The New York Times - Magazine

"The hazing got progressively worse," Ms. Howard said.

The New York Times

It got progressively worse the next couple of days".

The Guardian - Sport

"And then it got progressively worse from there".

The New York Times

I started to gain some weight, and things got progressively worse".

The New York Times

Fleury's frustration got progressively worse during the trip and reached a peak on Saturday.

The New York Times - Sports

The last time they were in power, the housing crisis got progressively worse.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the progression of a negative situation, use "got progressively worse" to clearly indicate a gradual decline. For example, "The economic situation got progressively worse after the new policies were implemented."

Common error

While "got progressively worse" is a valid expression, overuse can make your writing repetitive. Consider synonyms like "deteriorated steadily" or "worsened over time" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got progressively worse" functions as a descriptive element indicating a gradual decline or deterioration over time. It's used to illustrate a negative trend, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Academia

13%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "got progressively worse" effectively describes a gradual decline over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used. The analysis of its function reveals it serves to illustrate negative trends across diverse fields, notably in news and media, academic research, and scientific discourse. While prevalent, varying word choice avoids repetition. The frequency of use is very common, with reliable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employing the phrase. To add precision, related phrases such as "deteriorated steadily" or "worsened over time" may sometimes be preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

went from bad to worse

Stresses the worsening condition relative to an already undesirable state.

worsened over time

Emphasizes the increase in severity as time passes.

became increasingly bad

Uses simpler language to express the worsening condition.

deteriorated steadily

Focuses on the consistent decline in quality or condition.

declined gradually

Highlights the slow pace of the negative change.

took a turn for the worse

Indicates a distinct shift toward negative development.

degenerated bit by bit

Implies a loss of positive qualities piece by piece.

slid into disrepair

Implies a lack of maintenance or care, leading to a decline.

suffered increasing setbacks

Highlights obstacles that contribute to decline.

spiraled downward

Suggests a fast, uncontrolled decline.

FAQs

How can I use "got progressively worse" in a sentence?

You can use "got progressively worse" to describe how something deteriorated over time. For example: "The patient's condition "got progressively worse" despite the treatment.".

What are some alternatives to "got progressively worse"?

Alternatives include "deteriorated steadily", "worsened over time", or "declined gradually". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "got progressively worse"?

Yes, "got progressively worse" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure and is commonly used to indicate a gradual decline.

What's the difference between "got worse" and "got progressively worse"?

"Got worse" implies a general decline, while ""got progressively worse"" emphasizes that the decline was gradual and continuous over time.