might be exacerbated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "might be exacerbated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you're describing a situation that could be made worse by some outside factor. For example, "The current housing crisis might be exacerbated if interest rates continue to rise."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Decreased functional kidney mass contributes to renal osteodystrophy, which might be exacerbated by certain drug therapies.

Clinical Therapeutics

These effects might be exacerbated if these stressors are not met by sufficient material resources19,23.

Nature

All the symptoms that afflicted Adam are signs of autism that might be exacerbated by the hormonal shifts of adolescence.

The New Yorker

It is thought the impact of the strike might be exacerbated by Royal Mail staff refusing to cross picket lines to collect mail from post offices.

The Guardian

She said tensions might be exacerbated by the death of Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah and the call by Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu for more sanctions on Iran.

The Guardian

Any sell-off might be exacerbated because liquidity in the market has declined; market-makers have lower inventory than they used to.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Even if flexible scheduling could be granted without bias, evidence from a study in Germany suggests that it might be exacerbating the gender wage gap.

Harvard Business Review

The proliferation of apps that deliver all kinds of on-demand services in urban areas – from laundry to restaurant food – just might be exacerbating the gentrification of certain neighbourhoods in many western cities.

The Guardian

Psychotherapy, meanwhile, may help the affected individual to relieve feelings of helplessness and isolation, reinforce healthy or positive tendencies, distinguish psychotic perceptions from reality, and explore any underlying emotional conflicts that might be exacerbating the condition.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The stigma might be exacerbating the problem, but it is not its root cause.

Forbes

While Rosen talked about Twitter wanting "every person around the world to easily express themselves on Twitter", there was no specific discussion about how Twitter's 140 constraint might be exacerbating problematic speech in the public domain.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "might be exacerbated", ensure the sentence clearly identifies the factor that could worsen the situation. This provides context and strengthens the argument.

Common error

Avoid using "might be exacerbated" in excessively long or convoluted sentences. Complex sentences can obscure the meaning and weaken the impact of the phrase. Simplify your sentence structure for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "might be exacerbated" functions as a passive construction, indicating a potential worsening of a condition or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It suggests a possibility, rather than a certainty, that something will become more severe.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

63%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "might be exacerbated" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate the potential for a situation or condition to worsen, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in scientific and news media contexts, it carries a neutral to formal tone and serves to caution about possible negative developments. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating the factors that could intensify the situation. Alternatives like "could be intensified" or "may be aggravated" can offer slight variations in meaning. Avoiding overuse in complex sentences ensures the message remains clear and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be intensified

Replaces "might be exacerbated" with "could be intensified", suggesting a potential increase in intensity.

may be aggravated

Substitutes "exacerbated" with "aggravated", implying a worsening of a situation.

could be made worse

Uses a more straightforward phrasing to express the potential for a situation to deteriorate.

may be compounded

Replaces "exacerbated" with "compounded", suggesting that the problem is added to or increased.

could be amplified

Suggests an increase in effect or intensity, similar to "exacerbated".

may be heightened

Focuses on the increase in degree or intensity of something.

could be further complicated

Emphasizes the increased complexity of a situation.

may deteriorate further

Focuses on the decline or worsening of a condition or situation.

might become more severe

Indicates an increase in the seriousness or intensity of something.

could potentially worsen

Highlights the potential for a situation to degrade or decline.

FAQs

How can I use "might be exacerbated" in a sentence?

Use "might be exacerbated" to describe a condition or situation that could potentially worsen due to a specific factor. For example, "The economic recession "might be exacerbated" by rising unemployment rates."

What are some alternatives to "might be exacerbated"?

Alternatives include "could be intensified", "may be aggravated", or "could be made worse", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to use "might be exacerbated" or "could be made worse"?

"Might be exacerbated" is generally considered more formal than "could be made worse". The former is often found in academic and professional writing, while the latter is suitable for more casual contexts.

What's the difference between "exacerbate" and "aggravate"?

"Exacerbate" typically refers to making a problem or situation worse, while "aggravate" can refer to both worsening a situation and annoying someone. In the context of "might be," exacerbate is often the more precise choice when describing a situation becoming worse.