this was worsened

USAGE SUMMARY

"this was worsened" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express that a situation has become worse over a period of time. For example: With the onset of winter, this was worsened by the drop in temperatures.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

This was worsened by harsh military conditions, including long periods with little food.

Wikipedia

This was worsened by the lower-than-predicted mortality by either of the outcome scores [ 25].

Critical Care

This was worsened by the global recession in 2008 and 2009 which particularly affected the urban poor.

BMC Pediatrics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

With recent "massive" rises in property values, Ms. Fincher said, this was worsening inequality.

The New York Times

If America is an essential "tough place," this is worsened by the easy availability of guns.

The New York Times

And all this is worsened by the fact that whites are historically the 'oppressor' race," he writes.

The New York Times - Books

And this is worsened by the people who are alarmed, because we talk to journalists about the potential harm, and that just feeds into it.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This is worsened at higher cutting conditions because of the significant reduction in the strength and hardness of the cutting tool.

Journal of Materials Processing Technology

This is worsened by the gradual reduction in supply from conventional gas basins and the steady increase from unconventional basins.

Chemistry Central Journal

This is worsened when the lambdoid sutures are affected.

BioMed Research International

This is worsened by the presence of many geographic barriers, the largest being the Mediterranean sea.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this was worsened" to clearly indicate that an existing negative situation has deteriorated due to a specific factor or event. Ensure the context clearly establishes the initial state and the cause of the deterioration.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "this was worsened" in highly formal writing may sound slightly awkward. Consider alternatives like "this exacerbated the issue" or "this further complicated the matter" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

This was worsened functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject experienced a decline or deterioration due to an external factor. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

22%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this was worsened" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that a situation has deteriorated, as verified by Ludwig. While relatively rare, it appears in scientific, news, and wiki contexts. For more formal settings, consider stronger alternatives like "this exacerbated the issue". Ludwig also highlights its function in expressing causality and its neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this exacerbated the issue

Emphasizes the act of making a problem more intense or serious.

this compounded the problem

Highlights how the original issue was made worse by the addition of other factors.

this aggravated the situation

Focuses on the increase in severity or unpleasantness of a given scenario.

this made matters worse

A more general way to express that something detrimental happened.

this intensified the effect

Specifically indicates that the intensity of an effect was increased.

this deteriorated the condition

Highlights that the condition has fallen to disrepair or become lower in quality.

this further complicated things

Signifies an increase in complexity and entanglement.

the situation declined further

Indicates a progressive reduction in quality or status.

this created further setbacks

Emphasizes that new obstacles or delays arose.

this added insult to injury

Highlights that a negative situation was followed by something even more unpleasant.

FAQs

How can I use "this was worsened" in a sentence?

Use "this was worsened" to indicate that a situation has deteriorated due to a specific event or factor. For instance, "The initial economic downturn was worsened by the subsequent political instability."

What are some alternatives to saying "this was worsened"?

Alternatives include "this exacerbated the issue", "this compounded the problem", or "this aggravated the situation". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "this was worsened" or "this worsened"?

"This worsened" is more concise and active. "This was worsened" is passive and places less emphasis on the actor. Choosing depends on the desired focus and sentence structure. Generally, active voice is preferred for clarity.

What is the difference between "this was worsened" and "this was made worse"?

While both convey a similar meaning, "this was made worse" is more informal. "This was worsened" is also correct, but slightly less common, as indicated by Ludwig's examples. Both express that a situation has become more negative.