increase the suffering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "increase the suffering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the amplification of pain, distress, or hardship, often in a metaphorical or literal sense. Example: "The new policies are likely to increase the suffering of those already in vulnerable situations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Their actions will only increase the suffering".

The New York Times

We cannot be part of a process that will increase the suffering of our nation.

The Guardian

An autopsy cannot increase the suffering of someone who is dead.

The New York Times - Health

"Military intervention must not increase the suffering of the Iraqi people," she will say.

The Guardian

Shortchanging these efforts would increase the suffering and chaos of our world, undercut our long-term security and dull the conscience of our country.

The New York Times

"This is a continuation of hasty decisions," he added, "that will increase the suffering of the Palestinian people and provide cover for the Israeli occupation".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

"That has probably sensitized me to the complications involved with that particular kind of illness, and how people are slow to get treatment because of the shame, and how that increases the suffering".

The New York Times

These advocates point to mistakes like toxic chemotherapy with bone marrow transplants in breast cancer, which in the 1980s and 1990s increased the suffering of nearly 30,000 women before studies finally showed that it was ineffective.

The New York Times - Health

"The new escalation in fighting and insecurity along the Kenya-Somalia border risks increasing the suffering for civilians already devastated by drought and conflict," another aid organization, Oxfam, said last month in a statement.

The New York Times

Failure of critical infrastructure such as bridges, harbour docks, hospitals and communication systems delayed search and rescue operations and relief efforts, which increased the suffering of the survivors.

Engineering Structures

"Appalling conditions only increases the suffering of these people, posing even more of a risk".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "increase the suffering", ensure the context clearly identifies the cause or action leading to the increased suffering. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "increase the suffering" without specifying who or what is causing the suffering. Vague attribution weakens the statement and reduces its credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increase the suffering" functions as a verb phrase with a direct object. It describes an action that intensifies pain, distress, or hardship. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used to express the act of making suffering greater. The phrase follows standard grammatical rules.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "increase the suffering" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a verb phrase with a direct object, typically employed to express concern or criticism regarding actions that intensify hardship. Its neutral register allows for versatile application across various contexts, predominantly in news and media, scientific publications, and formal business settings. Related phrases include "exacerbate the pain" and "intensify the hardship". When using the phrase, ensure clear attribution of the cause to enhance clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exacerbate the pain

Focuses specifically on making pain worse.

amplify the pain

Stresses the increase of intensity of the pain

intensify the hardship

Emphasizes making difficult circumstances even more severe.

aggravate the distress

Highlights worsening emotional or mental anguish.

escalate the anguish

Highlights the increase in intensity of the anguish.

heighten the misery

Stresses making a state of unhappiness even more pronounced.

compound the agony

Implies adding to existing feelings of intense suffering.

worsen the plight

Focuses on making a difficult or unfortunate situation even worse.

deepen the sorrow

Emphasizes intensifying feelings of sadness or grief.

magnify the torment

Highlights amplifying feelings of severe physical or mental suffering.

FAQs

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

You can use "increase the suffering" to describe actions or situations that exacerbate pain, hardship, or distress. For example, "The new policies will likely "increase the suffering" of the poor."

What are some alternatives to "increase the suffering"?

Alternatives include "exacerbate the pain", "intensify the hardship", or "aggravate the distress" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "increase the suffering" or "worsen the suffering"?

Both "increase the suffering" and "worsen the suffering" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The best choice depends on the desired tone and emphasis. "Increase" suggests a gradual build-up, while "worsen" implies a decline in condition.

What is the difference between "increase the suffering" and "prolong the suffering"?

"Increase the suffering" implies making the experience of suffering more intense, while "prolong the suffering" means extending the duration of the suffering. For example, a war might "increase the suffering" through violence and displacement, and "prolong the suffering" by lasting many years.