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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
to be deteriorated
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "to be deteriorated" is not correct in standard English usage.
A more appropriate form would be "to deteriorate" or "to be deteriorating." Example: "The old building is starting to deteriorate due to lack of maintenance."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Wiki
Alternative expressions(5)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
13 human-written examples
One mechanism is considered to be deteriorated endothelial function that is recovered by vitamin C.
Furthermore, the dimensional stability of the polyurethane foam samples was shown to be deteriorated by incorporation of nanoclay.
The pitting resistance was found to be deteriorated obviously when stainless steel phase was added to the amorphous coating.
Science
The low-velocity motion performance of servo system tends to be deteriorated greatly by friction due to its relay nonlinearity and Stribeck effect in low-velocity state.
Science
Application of wastewater as irrigation water for agriculture in urban and peri-urban areas sustainably reuses water resources but threaten the soil quality to be deteriorated, with less microbial activities, high salinity and heavy metals accumulation over time.
As for the oriented blends, however, the presence of dispersed phase in the blends, independent of phase morphology and crystallinity, always makes tensile properties to be deteriorated through reducing molecular orientation of matrix.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
46 human-written examples
Europe's economies seem to be deteriorating.
News & Media
Indeed, it seems to be deteriorating.
News & Media
Performance in general seems to be deteriorating.
News & Media
Megrahi's health, meanwhile, is said to be deteriorating fast.
News & Media
Mr. Ballmer has said recently that Yahoo's business appears to be deteriorating.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When describing the decline of something, prefer using the active verb "deteriorate" or a more descriptive alternative like "decline", "degrade", or "worsen" to enhance clarity and grammatical correctness.
Common error
Avoid using the passive construction "to be deteriorated". It's often better to use the active verb "deteriorate" (e.g., "The building will deteriorate") or a stronger, more descriptive verb to convey the intended meaning more effectively.
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "to be deteriorated" functions as a passive construction, indicating a state resulting from a process of decline. However, as Ludwig AI notes, it is not considered grammatically correct in standard English, suggesting the active form "to deteriorate" is preferable.
Frequent in
Science
76%
News & Media
21%
Wiki
3%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Reference
0%
Social Media
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "to be deteriorated" appears in various contexts, particularly in scientific and technical writing, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. It's advisable to use the active verb form "to deteriorate" or alternative phrases like "to decline in quality" for clearer and more grammatically sound writing. The phrase is mostly found in science and news sources. Using stronger verbs provides a better alternative to express the intended meaning.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
to decline in quality
Emphasizes the reduction in quality over time, differing from "to be deteriorated" which implies a completed state.
to degrade over time
Focuses on the gradual process of decay, whereas "to be deteriorated" suggests a more immediate or completed effect.
to worsen in condition
Highlights a general decline in condition, not specifically related to deterioration but conveys a similar negative change.
to fall into disrepair
Specifies a state of neglect and damage, particularly applicable to physical structures or objects.
to suffer damage
Indicates harm or injury, which can lead to deterioration but is more direct in its implication.
to become impaired
Focuses on the loss of function or effectiveness, a consequence of deterioration.
to experience decay
Emphasizes the natural process of rotting or decomposition, applicable to organic materials.
to break down
Suggests a failure of function or structure, often sudden or progressive.
to go bad
Primarily used for food or perishable items, indicating spoilage or decomposition.
to corrode over time
Specifically refers to the deterioration of metals due to chemical reactions.
FAQs
How can I use the word "deteriorate" in a sentence?
Use "deteriorate" to describe something that is getting worse over time. For example, "The patient's condition began to deteriorate rapidly" or "The roads deteriorate due to lack of maintenance".
What's the difference between "to deteriorate" and "to degrade"?
"To deteriorate" generally refers to a decline in quality or condition, while "to degrade" often implies a loss of respect or moral standing, or the breakdown of a substance. You can use alternatives such as "to decline in quality" or "to worsen".
Is it better to use "deteriorate" or "worsen" in formal writing?
Both "deteriorate" and "worsen" are suitable for formal writing, but "deteriorate" may sound slightly more sophisticated in certain contexts, especially when describing physical conditions. Alternatives are "to decline" or "to degrade over time".
What are some synonyms for "deteriorate" that I can use to avoid repetition?
To avoid repetition, you can use synonyms such as "to decline", "to degrade", "to worsen", "to decay", or "to crumble" depending on the specific context.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested