substantially worse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantially worse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that is significantly more negative or unfavorable compared to another. Example: "The new policy has made the working conditions substantially worse for employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Human viewers fared substantially worse.

The New Yorker

But without serious security measures it could get substantially worse.

The Guardian - Tech

In the admittedly improbable scenario that you want my advice, you could do substantially worse.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The financial system looks substantially worse now than it did a month ago.

The New York Times

"The state of the Iraqi police is substantially worse than that of the Iraq army".

The Guardian

"The expansion was a bit better than they thought, and the recession was substantially worse".

The New York Times

If that's the approach, outsiders will naturally assume this scandal could become substantially worse.

The Guardian - Business

Moreover, Ireland's longer-term prospects for recovery would be substantially worse were she not now in the Eurozone.

The Guardian - Opinion

The PlayBook isn't substantially worse than many of the 7in Android tablets out there, apart from having even fewer apps.

The Guardian - Tech

Those who do not may be substantially worse off, and require much longer to make the adjustments.

The Guardian - Sport

Then again, if you concede that everything these days sounds a bit like something else, there are substantially worse people to model yourself on.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two situations, ensure the context is clear. Instead of saying "the situation is substantially worse", specify what it is worse than: "the financial situation is substantially worse than last year."

Common error

Avoid using "substantially worse" in situations where a more nuanced description is appropriate. Overusing intensifiers can dilute the impact of your writing; consider whether "slightly worse" or "noticeably worse" might be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantially worse" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a significant degree of negativity or decline. As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes a condition that is considerably more unfavorable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

48%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "substantially worse" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something has significantly deteriorated or is considerably more negative than something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely used in both News & Media and Science contexts. To ensure clarity, it’s best to specify what is "substantially worse" than what. While "substantially worse" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse and dramatic contexts where a more nuanced description is appropriate. Alternatives like "considerably inferior" or "significantly poorer" may sometimes be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerably inferior

Implies a marked difference in quality or condition, making it notably poorer.

significantly poorer

Highlights a notable decline in wealth, quality, or condition.

markedly deteriorated

Focuses on the process of worsening, emphasizing a noticeable decline in condition.

noticeably declined

Emphasizes a visible or easily observed reduction or worsening.

appreciably declined

Stresses that the worsening is sufficient to be easily perceived or measured.

distinctly suboptimal

Indicates a clear divergence from what is considered ideal or satisfactory.

plainly inadequate

Conveys that something is clearly insufficient or not up to the required standard.

severely compromised

Suggests that something has been weakened or damaged to a great extent.

heavily impaired

Indicates a significant reduction in functionality or effectiveness.

badly affected

Highlights the negative impact on something, leading to a worse state.

FAQs

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

You can use "substantially worse" to describe a situation that has significantly deteriorated compared to a previous state or another situation. For example, "The economic forecast is "substantially worse" than projected earlier this year."

What are some alternatives to "substantially worse"?

Alternatives to "substantially worse" include "significantly poorer", "considerably inferior", or "markedly deteriorated". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "things are substantially worse now than before"?

Yes, the phrase "things are substantially worse now than before" is grammatically correct and conveys that the current situation is significantly more negative than it was previously.

What's the difference between "slightly worse" and "substantially worse"?

"Slightly worse" indicates a minor negative difference, while "substantially worse" indicates a significant and noticeable decline or deterioration. The choice depends on the degree of difference you want to emphasize.