heightens

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heightens" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an increase in intensity, degree, or level of something, such as emotions, experiences, or situations. Example: "The suspense in the movie heightens as the plot unfolds, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the pool stages Francois Ratier's side held England to a 13-13 drawhileine in the semi-final Magali Harvey proved one of the stand-out performers in a tight game against Six Nations champions and hosts France, ultimately winning 18-16 "The fact that we drew against them in the pool heightens the tension a little bit," says Waterman.

The Guardian - Sport

It heightens the sense that the characters can never be alone and will always be linked.

The Guardian - Film

You have no idea what you'll eat next and the sensory deprivation really heightens the senses.

The Guardian - Travel

In Breaking the Spell, Dennett quotes Pascal Boyer, who suggests that music is a supernormal stimulus which mimics and heightens the effects of speech, and that we make symmetrical patterns with textiles, buildings, gadgets to deliberately "overstimulate [our] visual cortex".

The Guardian - Tech

"You are quite emotional at that time, and a tennis match heightens all that".

The Guardian - Sport

The concentration of the industry into the "Big Four" accountancy firms Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young and KPMG that now audit the lion's share of the world's large, public firms heightens these concerns (see article).

The Economist

But it heightens the impression of a rush to complete the proceedings before an election due at the end of the year.

The Economist

This heightens many Americans' sense of insecurity and stiffens opposition to globalisation.

The Economist

The revelation in the Washington Post that the CIA maintains a string of jails, where it can keep people indefinitely and in secret, only heightens the suspicion that Mr Cheney wants the agency to keep using "enhanced interrogation techniques".

The Economist

That forces travellers to pass through customs and security twice, which disrupts slumber time, heightens stress levels, and might necessitate visa purchases.

The Economist

So far, the Russians do not seem remotely tempted to sign a stance which only heightens fears within the EU that one day Russian gas may become a political weapon.EU countries could respond by importing more liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heightens" to describe an increase in the intensity, degree, or level of an emotion, sensation, or situation. For example: "The music heightens the emotional impact of the scene."

Common error

Avoid using "heightens" with nouns that do not represent a process or state that can be intensified. For example, it's incorrect to say "heightens the table" because a table cannot be intensified.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "heightens" is as a verb, specifically the third-person singular present tense form. It indicates that something is actively increasing or intensifying something else, like the examples provided by Ludwig demonstrating the increase of tension or emotional impact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "heightens" is a grammatically sound verb used to describe an increase in intensity or degree. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is considered correct and readily usable in various contexts, especially in news and media. While there are no common grammatical errors associated with "heightens", it's important to ensure that it's used with nouns representing a process or state that can be intensified. Alternatives like "intensifies", "amplifies", and "enhances" can be used to add nuance. Overall, "heightens" is a versatile and valuable word in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intensifies

Focuses on the increasing of intensity.

amplifies

Implies an increase in magnitude or effect.

enhances

Indicates an improvement or augmentation of something.

exacerbates

Refers to making something worse or more severe.

deepens

Suggests making something more profound or intense.

augments

Suggests adding to something to increase its size or value.

sharpens

Indicates an increase in clarity or intensity.

magnifies

Emphasizes making something appear larger or more significant.

escalates

Focuses on a gradual increase in intensity or severity.

aggravates

Implies making a situation or condition more serious.

FAQs

How can I use "heightens" in a sentence?

You can use "heightens" to describe an increase in intensity or degree. For example, "The dramatic music "heightens" the suspense in the film."

What are some alternatives to "heightens"?

You can use alternatives such as "intensifies", "amplifies", or "enhances" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "heightens" and "increases"?

"Heightens" typically refers to an increase in intensity or effect, while "increases" generally refers to a rise in quantity or amount. For example, tension "heightens", but volume increases.

Is it correct to use "heightens" to describe a physical object getting taller?

While "heightens" can metaphorically describe an increase, it's more common to use "increases" or "raises" when referring to the literal physical height of an object. For example, the platform raises the statue.