intensifying

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'intensifying' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is becoming more intense. For example: "The wind was intensifying as the storm grew closer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

The Economist

The Guardian

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A technical default, intensifying the squeeze on Greek banks, might lead to the Greek government paying pensions in IOUs and wages in cheques drawn on Greek banks that lack funds.

The Guardian - Business

But by late afternoon, the arguments were intensifying and Jeanetta was talking about harming herself.

The Guardian

Another paper published this year by Simon Wang and colleagues similarly concluded that human-caused global warming is changing conditions in the Pacific Ocean that make these high-pressure ridges off the coast stronger, thus intensifying droughts in California.

The Guardian

He recommended that the US military "Gitmo-ize" Abu Ghraib, intensifying interrogations there.

The Guardian

With the Savile-Newsnight story intensifying every day, it may seem a bit puritan to ask for a sense of perspective.

The Guardian - Opinion

After renewing expressions of condolences for the lives lost due to tornadoes and flooding in Texas and Oklahoma this month, the president mentioned climate change as a factor in intensifying severe weather.

The Guardian

Rubio denied an assertion by Rose that his intensifying proximity as a presidential candidate to mega-donors such as Sheldon Adelson, the staunch supporter of Israel and opponent of a two-state solution, had pulled him in a hawkish direction.

The Guardian

The investigation comes at a time when political scrutiny of the sector is intensifying.

The Guardian - Business

"The wariness about Europe is intensifying everywhere.

The Guardian

But Israel feels as if it is under intensifying diplomatic siege.Some outsiders hope that a bit of pressure will spur Mr Netanyahu to adjust his right-wing coalition, bringing Labour into the government with Mr Herzog as foreign minister.

The Economist

His figure is no doubt much inflated, but the government estimate of 2m is also suspect, especially in the light of the ferocity of its counter-attack.By intensifying its campaign, the authorities are acknowledging that the group is in fact a force to be reckoned with.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "intensifying", ensure the context clearly indicates what is becoming more intense. For example, "The competition is intensifying" is clear, but specifying 'competition in the tech sector is intensifying' provides more clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "intensifying" with vague or unclear subjects. Instead of saying "Things are intensifying", specify what aspects are becoming more intense to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The term "intensifying" primarily functions as a present participle, often used to describe an ongoing process of becoming stronger or more extreme. As Ludwig shows, it modifies nouns, depicting a state of active escalation or heightening.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

The Economist

20%

The Guardian

15%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, “intensifying” is a versatile and grammatically sound present participle used to describe a process of becoming stronger or more extreme. As per Ludwig AI analysis, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts, maintaining a neutral tone suitable for a variety of communication styles. For clarity, ensure the subject of "intensifying" is well-defined and the context clearly indicates what is becoming more intense. Consider alternatives such as "escalating" or "heightening" to fine-tune the specific meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

escalating

This term often implies a rapid and potentially dangerous increase.

heightening

This suggests an increase in intensity, often of an emotional or sensory experience.

aggravating

This implies making something worse or more serious.

exacerbating

Similar to aggravating, but often used in more formal or medical contexts.

amplifying

This suggests increasing the magnitude or effect of something.

strengthening

This indicates making something stronger or more powerful.

deepening

Suggests making something more profound or intense, often related to feelings or understanding.

worsening

Indicates a decline in condition or quality.

building up

This suggests a gradual increase over time.

stepping up

Implies an increase in effort or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "intensifying" in a sentence?

"Intensifying" is used to describe something that is becoming stronger or more extreme. For example: "The pressure on the team was intensifying as the deadline approached."

What are some alternatives to "intensifying"?

You can use alternatives such as "escalating", "heightening", or "worsening" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the situation is intensifying"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. However, it's often better to be more specific. For example, "The political tensions are intensifying" provides more clarity.

What is the difference between "intensifying" and "intensified"?

"Intensifying" is the present participle, indicating an ongoing process, while "intensified" is the past participle, indicating that the process has already occurred. For example, "The storm is intensifying" vs. "The storm intensified overnight."