increasing desperation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "increasing desperation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a growing sense of hopelessness or urgency in a situation. Example: "As the deadline approached, the team's increasing desperation was evident in their frantic efforts to complete the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Why? Why?" with increasing desperation.

The New York Times

Flail away at remote and door handles in increasing desperation.

The Guardian - Tech

Even though he petitioned repeatedly, with increasing desperation, to get them a visa.

Stanford University

The women's increasing militancy is a mark of their increasing desperation to be heard.

Independent

For the rest of the film Balestrero struggles with increasing desperation to prove his innocence.

The Guardian

What's changed other than the administration's increasing desperation to get a deal?

The Washington Post

The Irish, with increasing desperation, tried to push the pace in the second half.

The New York Times - Sports

/ I say it Runs In The Family" she explains, with increasing desperation.

The Guardian - Music

Arsenal's increasing desperation showed as Mattéo Guendouzi was booked for diving (a third for simulation in the game).

The Guardian - Sport

Diana was my sister-in-law". And, with increasing desperation, "You've heard of the Queen of England, have you?

The Guardian

And then one afternoon in November, in the midst of that increasing desperation, Rita just walked on to the page.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "increasing desperation" to vividly depict a situation where individuals or groups are experiencing a growing sense of hopelessness, urgency, or panic. It's particularly effective in narratives, reports, and analyses where you want to emphasize the deteriorating circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "increasing desperation" without clearly indicating what is causing this desperation. The phrase is most impactful when the source or reason behind the growing despair is evident or explicitly stated, providing context and depth to the description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increasing desperation" functions primarily as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. It describes a state that is intensifying over time. Ludwig AI confirms this, showing examples where the phrase is used to depict escalating feelings of hopelessness across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Formal & Business

14%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "increasing desperation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes an escalating state of hopelessness or urgency. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it appears most commonly in news and media contexts, serving to emphasize the deteriorating aspects of a situation. When using this phrase, ensure that the cause of the desperation is clear to maximize its impact. Alternatives include "growing despair" and "mounting anxiety", which offer slightly different nuances. The phrase is deemed correct and usable in written English, offering a vivid way to portray intensifying distress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accelerating desperation

Highlights how the desperation feeling grows at a faster rate.

rising hopelessness

Directly points to the growing lack of hope as a prominent emotion.

growing despair

Emphasizes the emotional state of hopelessness rather than the active feeling of desperation.

mounting anxiety

Focuses on the escalating worry and unease, highlighting the psychological aspect.

deepening anxiety

Focuses on the intensifying level of worry and apprehension.

surging anxiety

Describes how the anxiety increases abruptly.

escalating crisis

Shifts the focus to the critical situation causing the desperation, rather than the feeling itself.

heightening urgency

Highlights the increasing need for immediate action due to the critical nature of the situation.

intensifying panic

Emphasizes the extreme fear and disarray associated with the situation.

growing sense of doom

Emphasizes an impending sense of inevitable negative outcome.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "increasing desperation" in a sentence?

To effectively use "increasing desperation", ensure the context clearly establishes the reason for the growing despair. For instance, "The team's "increasing desperation" was palpable as the deadline rapidly approached."

What are some alternatives to "increasing desperation"?

Alternatives to "increasing desperation" include "growing despair", "mounting anxiety", or "escalating crisis", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "increasing desperation"?

Yes, "increasing desperation" is grammatically correct. "Increasing" functions as an adjective modifying "desperation", effectively describing a growing sense of despair or urgency.

How does "increasing desperation" differ from "utter desperation"?

"Increasing desperation" describes a gradual escalation of despair, whereas "utter desperation" suggests a state of complete and profound hopelessness at a particular moment. The former emphasizes a process, while the latter highlights a condition.