increase the problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "increase the problem" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where an action or decision exacerbates an existing issue. Example: "The new policy may inadvertently increase the problem of employee dissatisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Opponents, who say legalization would increase the problem of gambling addiction, have vowed to put up a strong fight.

The New York Times

The projected increase of dry spells due to climate change will further increase the problem of water limited crop yields.

Science of The Total Environment

For example, the authors also confess that one system already in place as a result of attention to medical error, the reduction of work hours for physicians in training, may paradoxically increase the problem of mistakes -- at least temporarily.

The New York Times - Health

Reg Henning said that, "by giving them more money, you are giving them the opportunity to purchase more arms and weapons and that would just increase the problem because they would be in the position to snatch more hostages".

The Guardian

The United Nations AIDS agency has joined the chorus of politicians and activists critical of Pope Benedict XVI for saying as he embarked on a tour of Africa this week that condoms "increase the problem" of the disease.

The New York Times

Rather than stopping ID theft, ID cards are, in fact, likely to increase the problem, because this single unified and trusted identifier will be something that is really worth forging.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

She worries that expanding the area will only increase the problems.

The New York Times

Will it lead, for instance, to greater differentiation, which will increase the problems of achieving integration?

Harvard Business Review

This, he says, will inevitably increase the problems bound up with people just passing through, and the estate's dwindling community spirit.

The Guardian

But, unplanned uses of DG units may increase the problems.

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

Otherwise, SHI may increase the problems of governing the health system rather than improving healthcare provision [ 36, 37].

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "increase the problem", ensure that it is clear what action or situation is causing the problem to worsen. Providing specific context helps the reader understand the relationship between the cause and effect.

Common error

Avoid using "increase the problem" in vague statements. Always specify how the action increases the problem; otherwise, the statement lacks impact and can be confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increase the problem" functions as a verb phrase where "increase" acts as a transitive verb, taking "the problem" as its direct object. Ludwig AI suggests that this construction is grammatically sound and readily usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "increase the problem" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the worsening of an existing issue. As supported by Ludwig AI, its meaning is clear and consistently used across various contexts, including News & Media and Science. While alternative phrases like "exacerbate the problem" or "worsen the problem" exist, "increase the problem" offers a direct and easily understandable way to express this idea. To use this phrase effectively, ensure to specify what is causing the problem to worsen, providing clear context for your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exacerbate the problem

Implies making a problem more severe or bitter.

worsen the problem

A more general term for making the problem worse.

aggravate the problem

Suggests making the problem more annoying or troublesome.

compound the problem

Indicates adding to the existing problem, making it more complex.

magnify the problem

Implies enlarging the perceived size or importance of the problem.

intensify the problem

Suggests making the problem stronger or more acute.

escalate the problem

Implies a rapid increase in the severity or extent of the problem.

fuel the problem

Suggests providing something that sustains or worsens the problem.

heighten the problem

Indicates raising the intensity or degree of the problem.

amplify the problem

Similar to magnify, suggesting an increase in the problem's impact or noticeability.

FAQs

How can I use "increase the problem" in a sentence?

You can use "increase the problem" to describe actions or situations that worsen an existing issue. For example: "Ignoring the warning signs will only "exacerbate the problem"." or "Cutting funding for education will "aggravate the problem" of inequality."

What's a good alternative to "increase the problem"?

Alternatives include "worsen the problem", "exacerbate the problem", or "aggravate the problem". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to "increase the problem"?

Yes, "increase the problem" carries a negative connotation, indicating that something is making an existing issue worse. There's no positive or neutral context for this phrase.

What is the difference between "increase the problem" and "address the problem"?

"Increase the problem" means to make a problem worse, while "address the problem" means to take steps to solve or mitigate it. They are opposite in meaning.