grows dire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grows dire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that is becoming increasingly serious or critical. Example: "As the deadline approached, the team's situation grows dire, and they realized they needed to work overtime to complete the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

When the situation grows dire, the weaker player is expected to type "gg," meaning "Good game" — a white flag.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

But when we began to descend, our situation grew dire.

The New York Times - Travel

The beef situation had grown dire, along with the weather report.

The New Yorker

With the days getting hotter, Mr. Recchia predicted that the situation could grow dire.

The New York Times

The best song is the title track, growing dire within its restricted form, building up an eerie, cavernous bass sound.

The New York Times - Arts

It was four days before Hurricane Sandy would arrive, and trustees of the Long Island Power Authority gathered as forecasters' warnings grew dire.

The New York Times

Her situation grew dire, she recalled, when a city marshal posted a notice on the apartment door that she would be evicted the next day.

The New York Times

Dr. Becker found he could cut repeat hospital admissions by treating the sickest patients at their homes, before their medical problems grew dire.

The New York Times

But the evening belonged to Ms. Buck, who sang beautifully in the plush melodies at the start and adapted expertly to increasing angularity and high-flying acrobatics as Proserpina's plight grew dire.

The New York Times - Arts

But the situation has grown dire as the rest of the world has gotten faster and Olympic officials have restricted the number of athletes competing in the ever-growing Summer Games.

The New York Times - Sports

Meanwhile, while the stimulus and Federal Reserve interventions prevented the recession from turning to depression, the unemployment and foreclosure situations grew dire.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grows dire" when you want to emphasize the gradual worsening of a situation, often leading to a critical or dangerous state. It adds a sense of urgency and seriousness to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "grows dire" in casual or informal writing. It can sound overly dramatic or out of place. Opt for simpler, more direct language in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grows dire" functions as a descriptor of a situation's evolving state, indicating a gradual shift towards a more critical or dangerous condition. According to Ludwig, this phrase is deemed grammatically correct and is suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "grows dire" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a situation that is becoming increasingly critical or dangerous. According to Ludwig, this phrase is appropriate for use in written English, particularly in news and media contexts, but it may be less suitable for informal conversation. Alternatives such as "becomes critical" or "worsens considerably" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. The examples and analysis provided by Ludwig confirm its prevalence and appropriateness in formal and professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

becomes critical

Focuses on the turning point of a situation, emphasizing its importance and need for attention.

worsens considerably

Emphasizes the degree of deterioration in a situation.

escalates rapidly

Highlights the speed at which a situation is deteriorating or intensifying.

reaches a crisis point

Suggests the situation has arrived at a crucial and dangerous stage.

deteriorates sharply

Emphasizes a sudden and significant decline in the situation.

becomes alarming

Focuses on the worrying nature of the evolving situation.

intensifies greatly

Highlights the increasing strength or severity of a situation.

transforms into a predicament

Indicates the situation has evolved into a difficult or dangerous problem.

degenerates severely

Implies a degradation or decline to a lower, worse state.

turns into a calamity

Suggests the situation is becoming disastrous or catastrophic.

FAQs

How can I use "grows dire" in a sentence?

You can use "grows dire" to describe a situation that is gradually becoming more serious or critical. For example, "As the storm approached, the situation on the coast "grows dire"".

What are some alternatives to "grows dire"?

Alternatives to "grows dire" include phrases like "becomes critical", "worsens considerably", or "escalates rapidly", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "grows dire"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Grows" is a verb indicating a change over time, and "dire" is an adjective describing the state of the situation.

What is the difference between "grows dire" and "becomes dire"?

"Grows dire" suggests a gradual process of worsening, while "becomes dire" implies a more immediate or sudden change. The choice depends on whether the situation worsens slowly or quickly.