things got worse

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "things got worse" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a situation that is deteriorating or declining. For example: "The economy has been in a recession for months, and things got worse when the government enacted more austerity measures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

There things got worse.

The New York Times

But things got worse.

Independent

Then things got worse.

The New York Times - Sports

Things got worse after that.

The New York Times - Sports

Incredibly, things got worse.

The Guardian

In 1999, things got worse.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In fact, things got worse.

The New York Times

She did, but things got worse.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Later, things get worse.

The New York Times - Books

Then things get worse.

The New York Times

Things get worse.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "things got worse" to clearly and concisely indicate a decline in circumstances, ensuring the context is well-established beforehand to provide a frame of reference for the worsening situation.

Common error

Avoid starting narratives abruptly with "things got worse" without first establishing the initial situation. Always provide context to show what "things" are referring to and what the baseline was before the decline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things got worse" functions as a concise way to express a deterioration or decline in circumstances. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and widely used. It typically acts as a statement within a narrative or explanation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "things got worse" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to denote a decline or deterioration in a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across diverse contexts. While it's generally neutral in register, providing context is key to ensure clarity. The phrase sees frequent usage in news and media, but is also present in formal business and scientific writing. When seeking alternatives, consider options like "the situation deteriorated" or "it went downhill", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the situation worsened

A more formal and direct synonym for "things got worse".

the situation deteriorated

Emphasizes the gradual worsening of a specific situation.

the circumstances declined

Focuses on the decline in the overall conditions or circumstances.

matters took a turn for the worse

Highlights a distinct change towards a more negative state.

the problem escalated

Indicates an increase in the severity or intensity of a problem.

the crisis deepened

Emphasizes the increasing intensity of a crisis.

it went downhill

An informal idiom indicating a rapid decline.

the downturn intensified

Focuses on the strengthening of a negative trend or downturn.

the outlook dimmed

Suggests a decrease in positive expectations or future prospects.

affairs spiraled downward

Conveys a sense of uncontrolled and rapid decline.

FAQs

How can I use "things got worse" in a sentence?

You can use "things got worse" to indicate a decline or deterioration in a situation. For example, "After the initial setback, "things got worse" when the company lost its biggest client."

What's a more formal way to say "things got worse"?

More formal alternatives to "things got worse" include "the situation deteriorated" or "the circumstances declined". These phrases are suitable for professional or academic writing.

What can I say instead of "things got worse" to emphasize the speed of decline?

If you want to emphasize the speed of the decline, you could use phrases like "it went downhill" or "affairs spiraled downward".

Is it grammatically correct to say "things get worse" instead of "things got worse"?

Yes, "things get worse" is grammatically correct, but it implies a present or future trend, whereas ""things got worse"" refers to a past event or period.