have been aggravated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have 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. Example: "The ongoing delays have been aggravated by the recent weather conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The root causes haven't gone away, if anything they have been aggravated.

The Guardian

Their fears have been aggravated of late by bureaucratic bickering at the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The Economist

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

The New York Times

Insurers also say losses have been aggravated by a spate of mold-related lawsuits.

The New York Times

Morocco's systemic problems — corruption, unemployment, shocking inequality — remain, and have been aggravated by the global economic crisis.

The New York Times

Administration officials have been aggravated with reporters for focusing on the President's contrite comments about past American actions here.

The New York Times

Drought often sparks battles over water and pasture.Such spats have been aggravated by a new ideology of Arab supremacism.

The Economist

Problems of access, purity and misuse have been aggravated, the exhibition suggests, by the very innovations meant to ameliorate them.

The New York Times - Arts

People with asthma, allergies, sinus problems and related conditions report that their troubles have been aggravated by the vog.

The New York Times

The government's fiscal woes have been aggravated by a 14% drop in tax revenue in the year to September—the result of a deep recession.

The Economist

But his condition could also have been aggravated by the long-term effects of the head injuries he'd incurred, on and off the football field.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been aggravated" to describe how a situation or condition has been made worse over time by specific factors. Ensure the context clearly identifies what is being aggravated and what is causing the aggravation.

Common error

Avoid using "have been aggravated" without specifying who or what is doing the aggravating. In passive voice constructions, ensure the agent causing the aggravation is clear or implied to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been aggravated" functions as a passive construction within a verb phrase. It indicates that a subject has experienced a worsening condition or situation due to an external factor. Ludwig's examples confirm its common usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been aggravated" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that describes the worsening of a condition or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business communication. While alternatives like "have been exacerbated" or "have been worsened" exist, "have been aggravated" maintains a neutral tone suitable for diverse audiences. To ensure clarity, specify what has caused the aggravation, avoiding vague passive constructions. This expression serves as an effective tool for conveying deterioration or increased severity in various forms of written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been exacerbated

This alternative is very close in meaning but uses a more formal vocabulary.

have been worsened

This is a more straightforward and commonly used alternative, suitable for general contexts.

have been intensified

This alternative emphasizes the increase in strength or severity of something.

have been compounded

This suggests that something has been added to make the situation worse.

have been inflamed

This alternative implies an increase in emotional intensity or conflict.

have been augmented

This suggests an increase in magnitude, potentially by external factors.

have been amplified

This emphasizes an increase in the magnitude of the effect or impact.

have been escalated

This suggests a rapid increase in intensity or severity, often in conflict situations.

have been deteriorated

This alternative refers to a decline in quality or condition, often gradual.

have been magnified

This alternative emphasizes the problems which might become bigger than they are

FAQs

How can I use "have been aggravated" in a sentence?

Use "have been aggravated" to indicate that a situation or condition has become worse or more intense. For instance, "The patient's symptoms "have been aggravated" by the new medication" or "Tensions "have been aggravated" by recent events".

What are some alternatives to "have been aggravated"?

Alternatives include "have been exacerbated", "have been worsened", and "have been intensified". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "have been aggravated" or "have been exacerbated"?

Both phrases are correct, but "have been exacerbated" is more formal and often used in academic or professional contexts, while "have been aggravated" is more common in general usage. The best choice depends on the tone and audience. You can also use "have been worsened" or "have been intensified".

What does it mean when something is described as "have been aggravated"?

When something is described as "have been aggravated", it means that it has become worse or more severe due to certain factors. For example, "His injuries "have been aggravated" by his continued activity" means his injuries are now more severe because he didn't rest.