increasingly harsher

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "increasingly harsher" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct form would be "increasingly harsh" as "harsher" is a comparative adjective and should not be used with "increasingly." Example: "The weather has become increasingly harsh over the past few weeks, making it difficult for us to go outside."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Whatever your opinion of Chief Spence, there's no denying that recent media reports have sharply changed the public perception of her protest, opening her up to increasingly harsher criticism.

Vice

As more details about the attackers were made public through the day, GOP candidates – nearly all of whom spoke at a Washington forum hosted by the hawkish Republican Jewish Coalition – issued increasingly harsher attacks on what they said was the Obama administration's unwillingness to come to terms with the true threat posed by Muslim extremists.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He grew increasingly harsh toward political dissidents.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The climate becomes increasingly harsh eastward, while precipitation also diminishes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Increasingly harsh US laws "built the drug business".

The Guardian - Books

Life is increasingly harsh, too, for the peasants of Westeros.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Olympio's increasingly harsh rule and policy of fiscal austerity came to an end on January 13 , 1963

Encyclopedia Britannica

Exile groups say that much of the violence is a response to increasingly harsh policies.

The New York Times

Owners in America are putting executives under an increasingly harsh spotlight.

The Economist

In other words, he is a thinker in a world of increasingly harsh theologies.

The New Yorker

As the works of the reformers swelled in volume and tone, this censorship became increasingly harsh.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a growing severity, use "increasingly harsh" instead of "increasingly harsher" to adhere to standard English grammar. Alternatively, "progressively harsher" is grammatically correct.

Common error

Do not use comparative adjectives like "harsher" with adverbs like "increasingly". It's redundant and grammatically incorrect. Use the base adjective form "harsh" or rephrase to use "progressively harsher".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increasingly harsher" functions as an adverbial modifier intended to intensify the adjective it precedes. However, according to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "increasingly harsher" aims to convey a growing intensity or severity, primarily within news contexts. However, according to Ludwig AI, the construction is grammatically incorrect; "increasingly harsh" or "progressively harsher" are recommended alternatives. The redundancy of using a comparative adjective with "increasingly" undermines its appropriateness in formal writing. The example sentences on Ludwig demonstrate its usage in describing escalating situations, yet the grammatical inaccuracy limits its broader applicability. Therefore, while the intent is clear, adherence to standard English grammar dictates using the base adjective form or a different adverb.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increasingly severe

Emphasizes the rising intensity of something, focusing on the gravity of the situation.

progressively harsher

Highlights a gradual change, emphasizing that the harshness develops over time.

growingly severe

Similar to 'increasingly severe', but may suggest a more emotional or impactful rise in intensity.

steadily harsher

Indicates a constant and unwavering increase in the level of harshness.

ever harsher

Highlights a continuous increase in harshness, suggesting a trend that is likely to persist.

more and more harsh

Simple and direct way to convey a rising degree of harshness.

increasingly strict

Focuses on rules or regulations becoming more rigid.

increasingly stringent

Similar to 'increasingly strict', but typically used in formal or technical contexts.

escalating in severity

Describes a situation where the level of severity is climbing.

intensifying in harshness

Highlights the amplification of harsh qualities or conditions.

FAQs

Is "increasingly harsher" grammatically correct?

No, "increasingly harsher" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing is "increasingly harsh". Alternatively, you can use "progressively harsher".

What can I say instead of "increasingly harsher"?

You can use alternatives like "increasingly severe", "progressively harsher", or "growingly severe" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "increasingly harsh" or "increasingly harsher"?

"Increasingly harsh" is the correct and grammatically sound phrase. "Increasingly harsher" is redundant because "harsher" is already a comparative adjective.

How to use "increasingly harsh" in a sentence?

You can use "increasingly harsh" to describe something that is becoming more severe or difficult over time. For example: "The regulations are becoming "increasingly harsh"."