to be aggravated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be aggravated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being annoyed or irritated, often in response to a specific situation or action. Example: "After waiting for an hour, I began to be aggravated by the lack of communication from the staff."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

This is likely to be aggravated by the visit to Luton.

The Guardian

In particular, the dumbness would appear to be aggravated by stress.

The Economist

One of them tells him not to be aggravated by the poor public image of the AFS: "Our cities are still behind the lines.

The Guardian - Film

Bizarrely, they were worried that the 5,000-10,000 household protesters outside were likely to be aggravated by the sight of party delegates going about their business.

The Guardian - Opinion

This situation is likely to be aggravated in October when Support for mortgage interest payments for those who have lost their jobs are reduced from 6.08% to 3.09%, to match the Bank of England's average mortgage rate.

The Guardian - Money

A groin can be successful in stabilizing a beach on the updrift side, but erosion tends to be aggravated on the downdrift side, which is deprived by the groin structure of replenishment by drifting sand.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

And for years the Apulia region has grown at a healthy clip.Even so the mezzogiorno still has huge problems, which recession seems to be aggravating.

The Economist

The war appears to be aggravating a mismatch between long-term opportunities in the office leasing market and short-term thinking on the part of many space users, said Michael Colacino, the president of Julien J. Studley, a tenants' broker.

The New York Times

His plate-size paws leave muddy paw prints on our living room carpet often enough to be aggravating.

Huffington Post

Two months later, computerized tomography revealed diffuse sinusitis, which was thought to be aggravating his pulmonary disease.

Cough

When not treated, anxiety can be aggravated to more serious and complicated health problems.

Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be aggravated", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the aggravation. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "to be aggravated" when an active construction would be more direct and impactful. For instance, instead of "The problem is to be aggravated by the delay", consider "The delay will aggravate the problem."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be aggravated" functions primarily as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that a subject is experiencing a worsening condition or state, typically caused by an external factor. Ludwig's examples show its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be aggravated" is a passive verb phrase used to describe the worsening of a condition or situation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and frequently used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and encyclopedic content. While "to be aggravated" is widely understood, writers should be mindful of choosing an active voice when appropriate for directness. Alternatives such as "to be exacerbated" or "to be worsened" can be used to add nuance depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be exacerbated

Indicates that something is made worse or more severe; a more formal synonym.

to be worsened

A direct and simple way of saying something is made worse.

to be intensified

Suggests an increase in strength or degree.

to be irritated

Focuses on the emotional aspect of being annoyed or provoked.

to be inflamed

Implies a literal or figurative swelling or irritation.

to be agitated

Conveys a state of restlessness or anxiety.

to be provoked

Highlights the act of being incited or stirred up.

to be annoyed

A common term for feeling bothered or disturbed.

to be disturbed

Indicates a disruption of peace or tranquility.

to be upset

Describes a state of emotional distress or unhappiness.

FAQs

How can I use "to be aggravated" in a sentence?

You can use "to be aggravated" to describe a situation or condition that is made worse. For example, "The pain is likely "to be aggravated" by physical activity."

What's the difference between "to be aggravated" and "to be exacerbated"?

"To be aggravated" implies a worsening or intensification of a situation, while "to be exacerbated" also means to worsen but often suggests a more significant or severe increase in the problem's intensity.

Which is correct, ""to be aggravated"" or "to aggravate"?

Both are correct but have different uses. "To be aggravated" is in the passive voice, indicating something is being made worse. "To aggravate" is active, meaning to make something worse.

What are some alternatives to ""to be aggravated""?

You can use alternatives like "to be worsened", "to be exacerbated", or "to be intensified" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.