it will escalate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it will escalate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a situation is likely to become more intense or serious over time. Example: "If we don't address the issue now, it will escalate into a larger conflict."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Iran has said it will escalate its nuclear activities if the deal falls apart, and Shamkhani said Tuesday that Tehran would consider any move by the U.S. to pull out of or modify the agreement as a "collapse" of the deal.

Vice

First in Georgia and now in Ukraine, Russia has shown it will escalate to extremes to assert its hold over its neighbours and convince the West that intervention is pointless.

The Economist

"If one male doesn't get the message, it will escalate into a physical fight".

The New York Times - Science

But he added: "I don't think it will escalate into anything much more serious".

The Guardian

It is a step toward the militarization of space and society, he added, and it will escalate the arms race.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

5.32pm BST One substantial risk of escalating the Syrian conflict is that it will escalate further, producing perhaps an attack on Israel's northern border.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Ironically, global warming, which scientists say will affect the Aleutian Islands long before it does regions, will escalate the risks and rewards of wind power there.

Forbes

If he stubbornly deletes the comment, you may or may not want to re-post it; if it looks like the situation will escalate, don't push things.

WikiHow

If systemic reforms are not carried out, it says, public dissatisfaction will escalate to a "critical point" and the country will "fall into the turmoil and chaos of violent revolution".

The Economist

He wrote: "If Europe does not demonstrate to Putin now that it is taking it seriously then the problem will escalate and we will have the costs of war to worry about, not just the economy.

The Guardian

The loan cost him $100 in fees, and that will escalate if it goes unpaid.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it will escalate", consider the specific aspect of escalation you want to emphasize. For example, do you want to highlight the increase in intensity, the negative consequences, or the potential for loss of control?

Common error

While "it will escalate" is grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound too informal for certain formal contexts, such as academic papers or business reports. In these situations, consider using a more formal alternative like "it will intensify" or "the situation is expected to worsen".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it will escalate" functions as a predictive statement, indicating a future increase in intensity or seriousness. This usage is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. It often implies a negative progression, as seen in examples related to conflict or worsening situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it will escalate" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable way to express that a situation is expected to become more intense or serious. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for general use, though more formal alternatives like "it will intensify" might be preferred in academic or professional settings. Its communicative purpose is typically to warn or express concern about a worsening situation, and it is frequently found in news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it will become more serious

Simple shift on focusing escalation on the fact that something is concerning.

it is going to intensify

Focuses on the growing intensity of a situation.

it is set to worsen

Emphasizes the negative outcome of the escalation.

it will take a turn for the worse

Stresses more the negative change from this escalation.

it is projected to worsen

The focus is to point out the projections of a negative outcome.

it's likely to spiral out of control

Highlights the potential for loss of control.

it's expected to amplify

Highlights expectation of increasing in strength.

it's poised to amplify

Stresses the growing magnitude of the problem.

it is due to intensify

The focus is on making reference that there is a schedule to intensify.

it will gain momentum

Focuses on growing speed and increasing power.

FAQs

How can I use "it will escalate" in a sentence?

You can use "it will escalate" to indicate that a situation is likely to become more intense or serious. For example: "If we don't address the issue now, "it will escalate" into a larger conflict."

What are some alternatives to "it will escalate"?

You can use alternatives like "it will intensify", "it will worsen", or "it will become more serious" depending on the context.

Is "it will escalate" formal or informal?

"It will escalate" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives may be preferred in some situations.

What's the difference between "it will escalate" and "it will intensify"?

While both phrases indicate an increase in intensity, "it will intensify" may be perceived as slightly more formal and suitable for certain professional contexts compared to "it will escalate".