intensify the problem

USAGE SUMMARY

"intensify the problem" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a situation that is worsening or becoming more difficult. For example, "The lack of resources in the region only served to intensify the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Future climatic conditions and population growth are expected to intensify the problem.

Journal of Hydrology

To this, most of us add a host of factors -- starting with daily baths -- that can intensify the problem.

The New York Times - Health

A child who is experiencing mental health discrimination is such a delicate issue that approaching it clumsily or ignoring it all together can intensify the problem.

The Guardian

"And as we have the baby boomer group maturing, there are going to be more older people with fewer children to be informal caregivers for them, which is going to intensify the problem even more".

The New York Times - Health

Progress against nutrient pollution has included a drop of 6 million pounds annually in phosphorus and 42 million pounds in nitrogen, but has come with a warning that expected population growth will intensify the problem.

The New York Times

Protesters defied pleas to stay off the streets and called on their leadership to drop its diplomatic approach, a prospect that the church leaders made clear would not happen because it would — in the end — only intensify the problem, church officials said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Still, because buyers wait longer to get their money, these annuities intensify the problems of liquidity and longevity risk.

The New York Times

In effect, as France's blunt minister of the interior, Nicolas Sarkozy, argued, the law would only intensify the problems it is trying to resolve.

The New York Times

With tech workers come tech salaries, however and there are fears that a sudden influx of highly paid tech professionals could intensify the problems facing Vancouver's already strained housing and rental markets.

Vice

A warming climate is intensifying the problem, he said.

The New York Times

Intensifying the problem, Swain added, was the schedule of shifts on the patch.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intensify the problem" to highlight factors contributing to the worsening of a situation. It's most effective when you can clearly link the action to the outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "intensify the problem" for minor inconveniences. This phrase is best reserved for situations with significant consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intensify the problem" functions as a verb phrase acting as a predicate, expressing an action that directly affects the noun phrase "the problem". Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "intensify the problem" is a valid and useful expression for describing how a situation or action is worsening an existing issue. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. While alternatives like "exacerbate the issue" or "aggravate the situation" offer similar meanings, the choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. It's important to reserve this phrase for significant issues to avoid diluting its impact, as overuse in trivial contexts can diminish its effectiveness. With a neutral register and frequent use in news and scientific sources, "intensify the problem" effectively communicates the growing severity of a situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exacerbate the issue

Replaces 'problem' with 'issue' and uses 'exacerbate' to convey a worsening effect.

aggravate the situation

Substitutes 'problem' with 'situation' and 'intensify' with 'aggravate', implying an increase in severity.

compound the difficulty

Replaces 'problem' with 'difficulty' and uses 'compound' to suggest an additive worsening effect.

worsen the predicament

Uses 'worsen' as a direct synonym for 'intensify' and replaces 'problem' with 'predicament'.

heighten the challenge

Replaces 'problem' with 'challenge' and 'intensify' with 'heighten', indicating an increase in the intensity.

magnify the crisis

Substitutes 'problem' with 'crisis' and 'intensify' with 'magnify', suggesting an increase in scale or importance.

escalate the conflict

Replaces 'problem' with 'conflict' and 'intensify' with 'escalate', implying a rapid increase in intensity.

deepen the crisis

Uses 'deepen' to convey making the 'crisis' more profound or serious.

amplify the effect

Replaces 'problem' with 'effect' and 'intensify' with 'amplify' suggesting a greater impact.

fuel the debate

Uses 'fuel' to suggest adding energy or intensity to a 'debate', making it more active or heated.

FAQs

How can I use "intensify the problem" in a sentence?

Use "intensify the problem" when you want to describe how a specific action or situation is making an existing problem worse. For example, 'Ignoring the early warning signs will only "intensify the problem"'.

What are some alternatives to "intensify the problem"?

You can use alternatives like "exacerbate the issue", "aggravate the situation", or "worsen the predicament" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it more appropriate to say "intensify the problem" or "exacerbate the problem"?

"Intensify the problem" and "exacerbate the problem" are often interchangeable, but "exacerbate" suggests making something already bad even worse, while "intensify" simply means to make it stronger or more acute. Choose the word that best fits the nuance you want to convey.

What kind of problems can "intensify the problem" describe?

The phrase "intensify the problem" can describe a wide range of problems, from environmental issues and social conflicts to personal struggles and technical difficulties. The key is that the problem is becoming more severe or pronounced due to a specific factor.