is spiralling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is spiralling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that is rapidly worsening or becoming uncontrollable. Example: "The project's budget is spiralling out of control, and we need to address the issue immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The economy is sagging and deflation is spiralling.

The Economist

The epidemic, Obama says, is "spiralling out of control".

The Guardian

The whole region is spiralling out of control.

The Guardian - Opinion

Becoming the world's biggest exporter will be of little comfort if global trade is spiralling downwards.

The Economist

"I feel like this world is spiralling into self-absorption, isolation and disconnection," Sharp says.

Independent

The unemployment rate is about thirty per cent and the crime rate is spiralling upward.

The New Yorker

This legal action comes as Kenya's wealth gap is spiralling out of control.

The Guardian

But already there are concerns that the craze is spiralling out of control.

The Guardian

Hollande's biggest problem is spiralling unemployment, a symptom of France's economic decay and zero growth.

The Guardian

"Argentina is spiralling into chaos," writes Hal Singer, managing director at Navigant Economics, in Forbes this week.

Independent

After the surge of 30,000 American reinforcements into the Taliban's southern stronghold this year, the conflict is spiralling.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is spiralling" to convey a sense of rapid, often uncontrolled, increase or decrease. It's particularly effective when describing abstract concepts like debt, prices, or emotions.

Common error

Ensure the context clearly indicates whether the "spiralling" is upwards (increasing) or downwards (decreasing). Without clear context, the reader might misinterpret the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "is spiralling" is as a present continuous verb phrase. It indicates an ongoing action or process that is rapidly changing. Ludwig examples show it often describes situations moving towards an undesirable outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is spiralling" is a versatile verb phrase used to depict a situation undergoing rapid change, often with negative connotations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use, particularly within news and media contexts. While the phrase itself is neutral, it typically conveys concern and urgency, highlighting potential deterioration. Remember to ensure directional clarity when using "is spiralling" to avoid misinterpretation. Alternatives such as "is escalating" or "is getting out of hand" can offer nuanced variations depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is spinning out of control

Very similar to "is spiralling out of control", but with a slightly different emphasis on rotation.

is escalating

Replaces "spiralling" with a more general term for increasing rapidly, often in intensity or severity.

is getting out of hand

Indicates a loss of control, emphasizing the difficulty in managing the situation.

is worsening rapidly

Focuses on the quick decline or deterioration of a situation.

is deteriorating quickly

Similar to "worsening rapidly", but emphasizes the decay or decline of something.

is sliding into chaos

Highlights the descent into disorder and confusion.

is plunging downward

Emphasizes a rapid and uncontrolled fall or decline.

is running amok

Suggests unrestrained and chaotic behavior or development.

is snowballing

Implies that a situation is growing exponentially, like a snowball rolling downhill.

is taking a nosedive

Suggests a sudden and dramatic fall, often in a financial or economic context.

FAQs

How can I use "is spiralling" in a sentence?

You can use "is spiralling" to describe something that's rapidly increasing or decreasing, often out of control. For example, "The country's debt "is spiralling"." or "The situation "is spiralling out of control"."

What does it mean when something "is spiralling"?

When something "is spiralling", it means it's rapidly changing, usually in a negative way, and potentially out of control. It suggests a continuous and accelerating movement, either upwards or downwards.

What can I say instead of "is spiralling"?

You can use alternatives like "is escalating", "is worsening rapidly", or "is getting out of hand" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "is spiralling out of control"?

Yes, "is spiralling out of control" is a common and correct expression. It emphasizes that a situation is not only changing rapidly but is also becoming unmanageable. It is a more emphatic version of simply saying that something ""is spiralling"".