it exacerbated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it exacerbated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation or condition that has worsened due to a specific factor or event. Example: "The lack of communication during the crisis exacerbated the already tense situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

It exacerbated divisions in our society and politics.

The Guardian

He said that it exacerbated the problems of the funding formulas.

The New York Times

Others said it exacerbated jitters left by the explosions at the Boston Marathon in April.

The New York Times

The issue I had with it, primarily, was that it exacerbated negative stereotypes about particular students from particular backgrounds".

The Guardian

And while that allayed concerns about militant-led attacks, it exacerbated fears that some people would be unable to move past the region's violence.

The New York Times

Barcelona 1992 did a lot to turn the city into a global destination of choice (though in doing so it exacerbated the tensions between Catalonia and the rest of Spain, which continue to bedevil Spanish politics).

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

However, its role remains unclear, whether it is protective or it exacerbates vascular complication.

Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy

Does PNMS induce asthma, does it exacerbate the disease, or does it speed up its progression?

BioMed Research International

It exacerbates inequalities in financing.

The New York Times

Social science suggests it exacerbates the problem.

The New York Times

Second, it exacerbates Obamacare's political challenge.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it exacerbated" when you want to emphasize that a specific factor made a situation noticeably worse, rather than just maintaining its current state. This can add a layer of cause and effect to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "it exacerbated" in contexts where simpler terms like "worsened" or "increased" would suffice. Using a more complex phrase in simple situations can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it exacerbated" functions as a causal connector, indicating that a preceding event or condition has worsened a subsequent situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression effectively highlights a cause-and-effect relationship, emphasizing that something has made an existing issue more severe.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it exacerbated" is a phrase used to indicate that something has made a situation worse. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and functions as a causal connector. It is commonly found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. While not overly formal, it adds emphasis and clarity to your writing. When using the phrase, consider simpler alternatives like "it worsened" if the context doesn't require the added emphasis on causation. Remember to use "it exacerbated" to highlight a direct cause-and-effect relationship, and avoid overusing it in simple contexts where more common terms would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it worsened

Replaces "exacerbated" with a simpler, more direct term.

it aggravated

Suggests making a bad situation even more irritating or serious.

it intensified

Focuses on increasing the strength or severity of something.

it compounded

Emphasizes the addition of more problems to an existing situation.

it amplified

Highlights the increase in magnitude or effect.

it heightened

Indicates an increase in the degree or intensity.

it inflamed

Implies an increase in anger or hostility in a situation.

it augmented

Focuses on adding to something already present, making it worse.

it fueled

Suggests that something added energy or impetus to an existing negative situation.

it triggered

Implies something initiated or set off a chain of negative events.

FAQs

How can I use "it exacerbated" in a sentence?

Use "it exacerbated" to indicate that a particular action or event made an existing negative situation worse. For example, "The lack of communication "it exacerbated" the tensions between the teams".

What are some alternatives to "it exacerbated"?

You can use alternatives like "it worsened", "it aggravated", or "it intensified" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it exacerbated the problem"?

Yes, "it exacerbated the problem" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express that something made a problem worse.

What's the difference between "it worsened" and "it exacerbated"?

"It worsened" is a more general term for something becoming worse. "It exacerbated" implies that a specific factor actively increased the severity of an already bad situation.