increasingly acute

USAGE SUMMARY

"increasingly acute" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a situation, feeling, or problem that is becoming more intense or severe over time. For example, "The debate over climate change has become increasingly acute in recent years." Alternative expressions include "growing intensity" and "sharply rising."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Pissarro's financial struggles were also increasingly acute.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The need for such protection is increasingly acute.

The Guardian

But public criticism of the refineries is becoming increasingly acute.

The New York Times

And the way to make these differences increasingly acute is to apply American soft and hard power.

The New York Times

But, with the angle increasingly acute, he can only pass the ball onto the outside of the post.

The Guardian - Sport

"The increasingly acute imbalance between supply and demand is causing prices to rise at a robust pace.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Concern for improving STEM education in many nations continues to grow as demand for STEM skills to meet economic challenges increasingly becomes acute (English 2016; Marginson et al. 2013; NAE and NRC 2014).

International Journal of STEM Education

Given the similar genetic background and similar pathogenicity in the chinchilla, CC199 strains of serotype 15B/C may increasingly cause acute otitis media in children.

Plosone

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is an increasingly recognized acute syndrome with similar symptoms to AMI.

BioMed Research International

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is increasingly used in acute respiratory failure, for instance in patients with exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or acute heart failure [ 1- 3].

Critical Care

The old man has acute, increasingly uncontrollable diarrhea that spills onto his body and the floor and the furniture.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "increasingly acute" to describe situations where a problem or condition is not only serious but also becoming more severe over time. This emphasizes the urgency and growing importance of addressing the issue.

Common error

Avoid using "increasingly acute" for problems that are already at their peak severity. The phrase implies a progression, so it's less effective if the problem isn't actually worsening.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increasingly acute" functions as an adverb-adjective combination that modifies a noun, describing a situation, feeling, or problem that is becoming more intense or severe over time. Ludwig's examples showcase its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "increasingly acute" is a commonly used phrase that describes a situation or condition that is growing more severe over time. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in neutral to professional contexts, particularly in news, media and scientific writing. When using the phrase, ensure that the described situation is indeed worsening and not already at its peak. Consider alternatives like "steadily worsening" or "growing more severe" for nuanced meanings. The high frequency and authoritative sources featuring this phrase confirm its widespread acceptance and utility in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

growing more severe

Highlights the increasing intensity of something negative, like a problem or symptom.

increasingly critical

Similar to "becoming ever more critical" and has the same meaning of approaching a point of crisis.

steadily worsening

Focuses on the gradual decline in condition or quality, emphasizing the continuous nature of the deterioration.

progressively intensifying

Emphasizes the gradual and relentless increase in strength or impact.

becoming ever more critical

Indicates that a situation is approaching a point of crisis or extreme importance.

rapidly worsening

Similar to sharply escalating but focuses only on deterioration.

sharply escalating

Suggests a rapid and dramatic increase in severity or danger.

heightening steadily

Implies an increase in emotional intensity or tension.

becoming more pronounced

Highlights the increasing visibility or obviousness of something.

on the rise

A more general phrase indicating an upward trend, often used for abstract concepts like costs or popularity.

FAQs

How can I use "increasingly acute" in a sentence?

The phrase "increasingly acute" is used to describe something that is becoming more severe or intense. For instance, "The labor shortage is becoming "increasingly acute"."

What are some synonyms for "increasingly acute"?

Alternatives to "increasingly acute" include "steadily worsening", "growing more severe", or "progressively intensifying".

Is it correct to say 'acutely increasing' instead of "increasingly acute"?

While 'acutely increasing' isn't grammatically incorrect, ""increasingly acute"" is the more common and natural-sounding phrase.

What does "increasingly acute" imply about a situation?

It suggests that a problem or condition is not only serious, but that its severity is escalating, demanding more urgent attention.