to be heightened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be heightened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an increase or intensification of a particular quality or state. Example: "The tension in the room seemed to be heightened as the deadline approached."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

The early streak probably caused those expectations to be heightened — temporarily.

The New York Times - Sports

There will have to be heightened border checks within the rest of the EU.

Independent

Both online and offline efforts need to be heightened to counter this propaganda.

Independent

"The paranoia," he said, "is going to be heightened now because of Donaghy".

The New York Times - Sports

But pragmatically the situations are going to be heightened, there's going to be more drama attached to them.

The New York Times

Government forces blocked roads leading to the military hospital, but security did not appear to be heightened around the presidential palace or other official buildings, witnesses said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Moreover, there are also large regional discrepancies in where nurses are concentrated — and those discrepancies appear to be heightening over time.

The New Yorker

The tension between Israel and Iran appears to be heightening.

Huffington Post

UNICEF priorities Emergency preparedness will be heightened to allow UNICEF to effectively and appropriately respond to emergencies.

Unicef

Its expression therefore may be heightened to set off adverse consequences upon chronic inflammation and infection.

Plosone

Without Staal and Callahan, there will be heightened pressure to win, the veteran center Dominic Moore said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be heightened" when you want to emphasize an increase in intensity or degree of something, particularly in situations where there's already an existing state or condition. For instance, "Security measures are to be heightened during the event."

Common error

Avoid using "to be heightened" when a simpler term like "increased" or "raised" would suffice. Using "to be heightened" in contexts that don't require a sense of existing intensity can sound overly formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be heightened" functions as a passive construction indicating that something is undergoing an increase in intensity or degree. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. For instance, "Tension is likely to to be heightened," as exemplified in the provided contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

24%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be heightened" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to describe an increase in intensity or degree. Ludwig AI's analysis, supported by numerous examples, confirms its prevalence in news, science, and general writing. While versatile, it's best used when referring to the escalation of an existing state or condition. For simpler increases, alternatives like "increased" may be more appropriate. Key sources include The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC, highlighting its adoption across reputable publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be intensified

Changes the wording to a more forceful synonym, emphasizing a stronger increase.

to be amplified

Suggests an increase in volume or magnitude, often used in a more technical or figurative sense.

to be escalated

Implies a rapid or sudden increase, often in a negative or conflict-driven situation.

to be augmented

Focuses on adding to something to enhance its qualities or capabilities.

to be magnified

Emphasizes making something appear larger or more significant, often used metaphorically.

to be enhanced

Implies an improvement or elevation in quality, often through specific actions or modifications.

to be increased

A more general term for making something larger or more numerous.

to be elevated

Suggests a raising to a higher level or position, often used in a metaphorical sense.

to be sharpened

Focuses on making something more acute or intense, often related to focus or clarity.

to be exacerbated

Specifically implies making something worse or more severe.

FAQs

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

You can use "to be heightened" to describe an increase in intensity, such as "Security measures need "to be heightened" at the airport" or "Emotions are expected "to be heightened" during the trial".

What are some alternatives to "to be heightened"?

Alternatives include "to be increased", "to be intensified", or "to be enhanced", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is more appropriate, "to be heightened" or "to be increased"?

"To be heightened" is more appropriate when referring to an escalation of an existing state or condition. "To be increased" is a more general term for making something larger or more numerous.

What does it mean when something is said "to be heightened"?

When something is said ""to be heightened"", it means that a particular quality or state is being increased or intensified. It suggests a deliberate effort to raise the level of something.