had been aggravated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been aggravated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something has been made worse or intensified over a period of time in the past. Example: "The patient's condition had been aggravated by the lack of proper treatment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The burden of taxation had been aggravated by the Ottoman debt burden.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Drysdale said Freefourracing's injury had been aggravated by a glue-on shoe she was wearing.

The New York Times - Sports

Other institutional weaknesses — the secrecy, the resistance to working with others — had been aggravated by decades of oppression.

The New Yorker

Even as a teen-ager, I sensed that his social awkwardness and sensitivities had been aggravated by not serving.

The New Yorker

He said the problem had been aggravated by Johnson & Johnson's failure to supply all the appropriate sizes of device.

The New York Times

The company said that the slowdown in the United States had spread globally and that its impact had been aggravated by a strong dollar.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Obama has been aggravated by friction among his advisers.

The New York Times - Magazine

Tensions have been aggravated by the presence of Kurdish troops in parts of the contested areas.

The New York Times

An exception has been aggravated assault, where the incidence has remained steady.

The New York Times

It has been aggravated by the most severe economic crisis in a generation.

The Economist

The situation has been aggravated in recent weeks by accusations of sodomy against Anwar.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been aggravated" when you want to emphasize that a situation or condition worsened over a period of time before a specific point in the past. It is suitable for describing the progression of negative developments.

Common error

While "had been aggravated" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak or indirect. Consider rewriting the sentence in active voice if it improves clarity and impact. For example, instead of "The problem had been aggravated by neglect", try "Neglect had aggravated the problem".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been aggravated" functions as a past perfect passive construction. It describes a state that resulted from a prior action (aggravation) completed before a specific point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with examples from various sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been aggravated" is a grammatically correct and commonly used past perfect passive construction. It signifies that a condition or situation worsened over time before a specific past event. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it is most frequently found in news media, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts, reflecting a neutral to formal register. While grammatically sound, consider the potential overuse of passive voice and explore active alternatives for more direct writing. The phrase is effective for emphasizing the progressive worsening of a situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been worsened

A direct synonym, simply replacing "aggravated" with "worsened" to indicate a decline in condition.

had been exacerbated

Similar to "aggravated", but often implies a more significant or intense increase in severity.

had been intensified

Focuses on the increase in intensity or strength of something negative.

had been compounded

Suggests that something has been added to an existing problem, making it worse.

had been amplified

Indicates that something has been made louder or more pronounced, often in a figurative sense.

had been escalated

Implies that a situation has become more serious or dangerous.

had been inflamed

Suggests that something has become more heated or agitated, often used in emotional contexts.

had been augmented

Indicates an increase in size, amount, or degree, contributing to the negative impact.

had deteriorated

Focuses on the decline in quality or condition, rather than the direct worsening.

had been magnified

Implies that something has been made to appear larger or more significant than it actually is.

FAQs

How is "had been aggravated" used in a sentence?

The phrase "had been aggravated" indicates that a situation or condition worsened over time before a specific point in the past. For instance, "The injury "had been aggravated" by continued use without rest."

What are some alternatives to "had been aggravated"?

You can use alternatives such as "had been worsened", "had been exacerbated", or "had been intensified" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "had been aggravated" formal or informal?

The phrase "had been aggravated" is generally considered formal and suitable for academic, professional, or news-related writing. It's less common in casual conversation.

What's the difference between "had been aggravated" and "was aggravated"?

"Had been aggravated" indicates that the aggravation occurred over a period of time before a specific past event. "Was aggravated" simply indicates that it was made worse at some point in the past, without specifying the duration or preceding context.