intensified around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intensified around" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or feeling that has become stronger or more pronounced in a specific context or timeframe. Example: "The tension in the room intensified around the time the announcement was made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

More recently they have faced thousands of Sunni Islamist tribesmen, as fighting has intensified around a Salafist institute in the town of Dammaj.

The Economist

Others said they fled in general panic as the fighting intensified around their villages and refugee camps as recently as four days ago.

The New York Times

Fighting intensified around the presidential vote in August, and 51 American soldiers died that month — the deadliest for American forces in the eight-year war.

The New York Times

As the Algerian civil war and Islamist terrorist attacks intensified around them in the mid-1990s, they were warned that their lives were at risk, but chose, after much collective agonising, to stay.

The Economist

But as the debate intensified around the lifting of working restrictions for Romanians and Bulgarians on 1 January, many medics who had lived and worked in the UK for years, have experienced an upturn in hostility.

The Guardian

The war games on Monday came as the conflict intensified around Donetsk, a city of a million people held by the pro-Russian rebels who have been fighting Kiev government forces since April.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Coalition building between Latino groups is intensifying around immigration reform, but not around Puerto Rican Statehood.

Huffington Post

In recent days, its spending with Facebook has intensified to around $10,000 per day for "digital media production/placement".

The Guardian

The pressure on applicants is intensified because around 2,000 students from the UK and the EC have also applied to the universities because tuition fees of £3,465 in Northern Ireland are cheaper than in Britain.

The Guardian

The instability is greatly intensified at around unity Richardson number, when the two vortices are comparably strong.

Combustion and Flame

For providers, the potential market is huge, even if the competition is intensifying around the world.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intensified around" to describe a situation where an activity, feeling, or condition becomes more pronounced in a specific location or context. For example, "Security intensified around the airport after the threat was announced."

Common error

Avoid using "intensified around" to describe purely abstract concepts without a clear contextual reference. It's better to avoid a sentence like "The discussion intensified around philosophical concepts" because it lacks a specific setting or event to anchor the intensification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intensified around" functions as a verb phrase that describes an action (intensified) occurring in relation to a specific location or context (around). Ludwig AI confirms its usability in describing situations becoming stronger.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "intensified around" is a versatile expression used to describe situations where something becomes stronger or more pronounced in relation to a specific location or context. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in "News & Media" and "Science" sources, it serves to highlight escalation and is employed in neutral registers. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what and where the intensification occurs, avoiding abstract usages. Consider alternatives such as "escalated near" or "heightened in the region of" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

escalated near

Replaces "intensified" with "escalated", implying a rapid increase in intensity, and "around" with "near", focusing on proximity.

increased in the vicinity of

Substitutes "intensified" with "increased" and uses the more formal "vicinity of" instead of "around", suggesting a rise in something within a specific area.

heightened in the region of

"Heightened" replaces "intensified", indicating an elevation in degree, and "in the region of" is used instead of "around", giving a broader geographical sense.

sharpened in proximity to

"Sharpened" is used metaphorically to mean increased intensity, with "in proximity to" replacing "around" to emphasize closeness.

concentrated close to

Replaces "intensified" with "concentrated" suggesting a focusing of activity or elements, while "close to" substitutes "around" to indicate nearness.

grew stronger in the area surrounding

Emphasizes the gradual increase in strength, replacing "intensified" with "grew stronger" and specifying the "area surrounding" instead of a simple "around".

became more acute in relation to

"Became more acute" denotes a sharp increase, and "in relation to" replaces "around" to show a connection or association with something.

peaked in the neighborhood of

"Peaked" indicates reaching a maximum intensity, and "in the neighborhood of" is a less direct way of saying "around".

surged within the perimeter of

"Surged" implies a sudden and powerful increase, with "within the perimeter of" offering a more defined spatial boundary than "around".

amplified in the surroundings of

"Amplified" suggests an increase in magnitude, and "in the surroundings of" is a more descriptive substitute for "around".

FAQs

How can I use "intensified around" in a sentence?

You can use "intensified around" to describe a situation where something becomes more active, severe, or noticeable in a particular area or time. For example, "Fighting "intensified around" the city center" or "Concerns "intensified around" the environmental impact".

What are some alternatives to saying "intensified around"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "escalated near", "increased in the vicinity of", or "heightened in the region of" to replace ""intensified around"".

Is it correct to say "the situation intensified around the issue"?

While grammatically correct, it's better to specify what intensified and where it intensified. Instead, consider "The debate "intensified around" the issue of funding" for clarity.

What's the difference between "intensified around" and "intensified within"?

"Intensified around" suggests a broader, more general area, while "intensified within" implies the intensification occurred specifically inside a defined boundary or space. For example, "Security intensified around the building" versus "Security intensified within the building".