progressively worse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "progressively worse" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation that is getting worse over time. For example: "The weather got progressively worse as we drove north up the coast."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There has been no progress there — only progressively worse".

The New York Times

It got progressively worse".

The New York Times - Sports

Wolford got progressively worse.

The Washington Post

The condition became progressively worse.

The New Yorker

The news grew progressively worse.

The Guardian - Books

"It got progressively worse," he said.

The New York Times

In fact, she got progressively worse.

The New York Times - Magazine

And it seems it's gotten progressively worse".

The New York Times

And then it gets progressively worse.

The New York Times - Sports

"This problem is getting progressively worse.

The Guardian

"But I think it's getting progressively worse".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "progressively worse", ensure the context clearly establishes a timeline or a sequence of events where the deterioration is evident. For example: "The company's financial situation became progressively worse after the merger."

Common error

Avoid using "progressively worse" when describing a sudden or immediate change. The phrase implies a gradual and continuous decline, not an abrupt shift. For instance, instead of saying "The accident made his condition progressively worse", use "The accident significantly worsened his condition".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "progressively worse" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the manner in which a situation, condition, or state is changing. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it indicates that something is deteriorating gradually over time. It is often used to emphasize the continuous and escalating nature of the decline.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

10%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "progressively worse" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a situation that is deteriorating over time. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent use across diverse sources. It is particularly prevalent in news and media, science, and academic contexts. When using "progressively worse", ensure a timeline is apparent and avoid using it for sudden changes. Alternatives like "steadily declining" or "gradually deteriorating" can add nuance to your writing. Remember that consistency and accuracy make your writing more impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

getting worse over time

This explicitly states the temporal aspect of the decline, making it a more descriptive alternative.

gradually deteriorating

This highlights the slow degradation of something, substituting "progressively" with "gradually" and "worse" with "deteriorating".

continually worsening

This stresses the uninterrupted nature of the decline, using "continually" instead of "progressively".

deteriorating more and more

This emphasizes the increasing degree of deterioration, repeating the concept for emphasis.

steadily declining

This emphasizes a gradual decrease, replacing "progressively" with "steadily" and "worse" with "declining".

declining in quality

This focuses on the loss of quality as the situation worsens, providing a specific aspect of decline.

going from bad to worse

This common expression indicates a worsening situation, focusing on the transition from one negative state to another.

increasingly bad

This is a more straightforward way of saying something is getting worse, using simpler vocabulary.

spiraling downward

Similar to "on a downward spiral" but with a different verb, emphasizing the spiraling motion.

on a downward spiral

This idiom suggests a rapidly declining situation, offering a more figurative alternative.

FAQs

How can I use "progressively worse" in a sentence?

Use "progressively worse" to describe a situation that is gradually deteriorating over time. For example, "Her health became progressively worse despite medical treatment".

What are some alternatives to "progressively worse"?

You can use alternatives such as "steadily declining", "gradually deteriorating", or "increasingly bad" to express a similar idea.

Is it redundant to say "progressively worse and worse"?

While not grammatically incorrect, saying "progressively worse and worse" can be redundant. The word "progressively" already implies a continuous worsening, so adding "and worse" may not be necessary.

How does "progressively worse" differ from "immediately worse"?

"Progressively worse" indicates a gradual decline over time, while "immediately worse" describes a sudden and abrupt deterioration. The former suggests a slow process, whereas the latter implies an instantaneous change.