intensification

USAGE SUMMARY

'intensification' is an acceptable and commonly used word in written English.
It is an action noun that is used to describe the action of increasing intensity, either of a feeling, activity, or process. Example Sentence: The intensification of the heat wave necessitated that people take extra precautions to stay cool and hydrated.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In an intensification of Cameron's warnings about the danger of a post-election deal between Labour and the SNP, the prime minister questioned the legitimacy of a Miliband government that relied on the support of the nationalists.

The Guardian

In a significant intensification of British involvement in the Iraq crisis, the foreign secretary, Philip Hammond, will tell his EU counterparts in Brussels on Friday that Britain is prepared to join France in arming the Kurds.

The Guardian

Conservationists criticise the intensification of grouse shooting and argue that hen harriers are only killed because grouse shooters want to bag so many birds.

The Guardian

The early morning assault marked a further intensification of the fighting that has flared up over the past week, with shelling reported near central Donetsk, which has remained mostly unscathed.

The Guardian

Agroecological intensification aims at improving productivity and efficiency through better farm management, improved stability and diversity of yields and enhanced use of local resources.

The Guardian

"Are we merely witnessing the calm before the storm, to be unleashed by an intensification of the economic crisis in the European and the Balkan economies, and that at a time when one factor that was meant to stabilise the Balkans, the EU, is in the midst of its own crisis?" asks the EIU.

The Economist

But Mr Wood's own crisis is a microcosm of that one, an intensification of it even, for his scepticism is inalienable and it travels with him to his new literary home.

The Economist

But with Mr Mbeki himself speaking of conspiracy, it was all too apparent that the senior reaches of the ANC were in disarray.The other embarrassment concerned the intensification of long-running accusations of corruption.

The Economist

The result of putting more carbon into the atmosphere than can be taken out of it is a warmer climate, a melting Arctic, higher sea levels, improvements in the photosynthetic efficiency of many plants, an intensification of the hydrologic cycle of evaporation and precipitation, and new ocean chemistry.All of these have knock-on effects both on people and on the processes of the planet.

The Economist

The cabinet had ordered "incessant and relentless intensification of the military pressure".

The Economist

Iran has been lobbing missiles into President Hussein's home town of Takrit, and Iraq has been firing on Qom, the Iranian holy city associated with Ayatollah Khomeini.Iraq is presumably hoping that its intensification of the war will remind the great powers of the ceasefire plan laid down in last July's United Nations Security Council Resolution 598.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intensification" to describe a gradual process where something becomes stronger or more pronounced over time. For example, "the intensification of their training regime prepared them for the marathon".

Common error

Avoid using "intensification" to describe an instantaneous change. "Intensification" implies a process, not a sudden occurrence. Instead of saying "the intensification of the earthquake caused immediate destruction", consider "the earthquake's immediate impact caused widespread destruction".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "intensification" is as a noun, specifically a gerund or action noun. It represents the process or act of making something more intense. Ludwig examples illustrate its role in describing the escalation of various phenomena.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "intensification" functions as a noun describing the process of something becoming more intense. According to Ludwig, it is a grammatically correct and frequently used term across various domains. While applicable in neutral and formal registers, its primary usage appears in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science. Remember to use "intensification" to describe gradual processes rather than sudden events and choose synonyms like "escalation" or "heightening" to add precision. The provided examples and guidance are useful for improving clarity and avoiding common errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

escalation

Refers specifically to an increase in intensity, often in a conflict or dispute.

heightening

Suggests a rise to a higher degree or level of intensity.

strengthening

Implies reinforcing or making something more robust, thus increasing its intensity.

augmentation

Signifies an increase in size, amount, or degree.

magnification

Indicates making something appear larger or more significant, akin to increasing intensity.

amplification

Focuses on increasing the amplitude or magnitude, often used in technical contexts.

aggravation

Implies making something worse or more severe, thus intensifying its negative impact.

deepening

Suggests making something more profound or intense, especially in emotional or abstract contexts.

exacerbation

Similar to aggravation, indicating a worsening or intensification of a negative condition.

stepping up

Refers to increasing the pace or level of an activity or effort.

FAQs

How is "intensification" typically used in a sentence?

"Intensification" is used to describe the process of something becoming more intense or stronger. For example, "The "intensification of efforts" led to a breakthrough".

What are some words or phrases similar to "intensification"?

Alternatives to "intensification" include "escalation", "heightening", or "strengthening", depending on the context.

Is "intensification" a formal or informal word?

"Intensification" is generally considered a formal word, suitable for academic, professional, or news-related contexts. In more casual settings, simpler terms might be preferred.

How does "intensification" differ from "increase"?

"Intensification" implies a change in the degree of something already present, often with an emotional or qualitative aspect, while "increase" simply means a rise in quantity or amount. For instance, "the "intensification of anxiety"" suggests a growing feeling, whereas "an increase in sales" refers to a numerical rise.