things are deteriorating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "things are deteriorating" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that is worsening or declining in quality or condition. Example: "The team's performance has been concerning lately; it seems that things are deteriorating."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Things are deteriorating and there are no decisions, no consultations".

The New York Times

He can tell by the way some things are deteriorating around here.

The New York Times - Science

He said the buyouts and recent layoffs "are a sure sign that things are deteriorating for the industry".

The New York Times

"We are barely getting our daily food, we are besieged everywhere and things are deteriorating for the people," he said.

The Guardian

Ms. Fine was less pessimistic about February, saying, "I don't think things are deteriorating at that rapid a pace".

The New York Times

"The question is whether things are deteriorating rapidly or whether it's a few isolated companies not doing so well on their quality control," she said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

But things were deteriorating in Shapiro's eyes.

The New Yorker

I had begun graduate school at Columbia that August—my mother was by then on a targeted drug treatment called Tarceva that had somewhat stabilized her tumor, and she insisted that I go when I got a call from my sister telling me that things were deteriorating rapidly, and that I should get on a plane back.

The New Yorker

"Wasn't there for him when he was down, haven't stood by my commitments, been too involved in my own dramas to notice that things were deteriorating between us.

Huffington Post

The main one was the bad relationship my mom and I had with my dad, because he was an alcoholic and really aggressive," Martinez told VICE, "but also things were deteriorating as a whole over there so we wanted a better opportunity".

Vice

Things all around us are deteriorating daily: There is a shortage of food, there is no work, foreign aid is being withdrawn or placed on hold, the government is losing money, the economy is on the verge of collapse.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "things are deteriorating" when you want to convey a sense of ongoing decline or worsening conditions across multiple aspects of a situation. Be specific in subsequent sentences to clarify which "things" are deteriorating.

Common error

Avoid using "things are deteriorating" as a standalone statement without providing context. Explain what is deteriorating to give your statement more impact and clarity. For instance, instead of just saying, "Things are deteriorating," specify, "The team's morale and performance are deteriorating."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things are deteriorating" functions as a statement expressing a negative trend or decline. It's typically used to describe a situation that is getting worse over time. Ludwig AI confirms this is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "things are deteriorating" effectively conveys a sense of ongoing decline and is deemed grammatically correct by Ludwig. It's commonly used in news and media to describe worsening situations. While versatile, it's best practice to provide specific details about what is deteriorating to enhance clarity and impact. Consider alternatives like "conditions are worsening" or "the situation is declining" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conditions are worsening

Focuses on the state of affairs becoming worse.

the situation is declining

Emphasizes a downward trend in the overall state.

matters are declining

Similar to 'situation declining', but slightly more formal.

the state is degrading

Highlights the reduction in quality or condition of something.

the outlook is bleak

Focuses on a pessimistic forecast or expectation.

circumstances are declining

Focuses on specific events and their deterioration.

the trend is downward

Highlights the negative progression or direction of something.

the prognosis is poor

Emphasizes a negative prediction, typically in health or recovery contexts.

the downfall is imminent

Highlights a severe decline soon to occur.

the decline is accelerating

Focuses on a quickening rate of decline.

FAQs

How can I use "things are deteriorating" in a sentence?

You can use "things are deteriorating" to describe a situation that is getting worse. For example, "Due to budget cuts, "things are deteriorating" rapidly in the local school system."

What are some alternatives to saying "things are deteriorating"?

Alternatives include "conditions are worsening", "the situation is declining", or "the state is degrading" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "things are deteriorating"?

Yes, "things are deteriorating" is grammatically correct. The subject "things" is plural, so the plural verb "are" is appropriate. "Deteriorating" is the present participle of the verb "deteriorate", indicating an ongoing process.

When is it best to use the phrase "things are deteriorating"?

Use "things are deteriorating" when referring to a situation involving multiple elements or aspects that are all experiencing a decline or worsening. It's most effective when you follow up with specific examples of what is declining.