has worsened

USAGE SUMMARY

"has worsened" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation that has become increasingly worse over a period of time. For example, "The traffic problem in the city has worsened since the new highway was built."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The killing has worsened.

The New York Times

Corruption has worsened.

The Economist

Over time, corruption has worsened.

The New York Times

That conflict has worsened.

The New York Times

Traffic, too, has worsened.

The New York Times

The heart murmur has worsened.

The New York Times

Recently, the situation has worsened.

The Guardian - Books

The bureaucratic culture has worsened.

The Guardian - Opinion

The violence has worsened lately.

The New York Times

Groundwater quality also has worsened.

The New York Times

Mr. Bastehnegar's diabetes has worsened.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has worsened", clearly specify what is worsening and provide context for the decline. For instance, instead of just saying "the situation has worsened", specify "the economic situation has worsened due to rising inflation."

Common error

Avoid using "has worsened" without providing sufficient context. Readers need to understand the baseline from which the situation deteriorated. Instead of a vague statement, offer specific details about the decline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has worsened" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect tense. It's used to describe a state or condition that has deteriorated or become more severe over time. According to Ludwig, this phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has worsened" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the deterioration of a condition or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous real-world examples of its usage. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts and carries a neutral tone, suitable for both formal and informal communication. When employing this phrase, ensure you provide adequate context to specify what exactly "has worsened". While alternatives like ""has deteriorated"" or ""has declined"" exist, "has worsened" remains a direct and effective way to express a negative change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has deteriorated

Focuses on the process of decay or decline, implying a gradual worsening.

has declined

Emphasizes a downward trend in quality, quantity, or condition.

has degraded

Highlights a reduction in quality or moral status.

has regressed

Suggests a return to a previous, less desirable state.

has gone downhill

An idiomatic expression indicating a rapid decline in condition or quality.

has taken a turn for the worse

Indicates a sudden and negative change in circumstances.

has fallen apart

Implies a complete breakdown or disintegration.

has soured

Focuses on a relationship or situation becoming unpleasant or negative.

has exacerbated

Highlights that something has been made more severe.

has compounded

Emphasizes that something has become more serious because of additional factors.

FAQs

How can I use "has worsened" in a sentence?

You can use "has worsened" to describe how a situation, condition, or problem has deteriorated over time. For example, "Since the new policy was implemented, employee morale "has worsened"".

What are some alternatives to "has worsened"?

Alternatives to "has worsened" include "has deteriorated", "has declined", and "has degraded". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "has worsen" instead of "has worsened"?

No, "has worsen" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "has worsened", which uses the past participle of the verb 'worsen'.

What's the difference between "has worsened" and "worsened"?

"Has worsened" is in the present perfect tense, indicating that the worsening occurred at some unspecified time in the past and continues to the present. "Worsened" is in the simple past tense, indicating that the worsening occurred and concluded in the past.