to make matters worse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to make matters worse" is correct and usable in written English.
The phrase is often used to indicate that a situation has become more difficult or unpleasant than it already was. For example, "We had already run into several delays during the project, and then to make matters worse, the main computer crashed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To make matters worse, there is urgency.

The Washington Post

AND, to make matters worse, demographics play a part.

University of California, Berkeley

Weeks of negotiation seemed to make matters worse.

The Economist

To make matters worse, some nations have become unmanageable.

The New York Times

To make matters worse, the games have not clinched anything.

The New York Times

To make matters worse, it is very difficult to control.

The New York Times

There is nothing we can do to make matters worse.

Independent

To make matters worse, he, too, picked up the tab.

The New York Times

It is no time for politicians to make matters worse.

The Economist

Mr Day's response seemed only to make matters worse.

The Economist

To make matters worse, her conversation was petty and mundane.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to make matters worse" to clearly signal an additional negative development in a sequence of unfortunate events. This helps to emphasize the escalating nature of the situation and its impact on the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "to make matters worse" multiple times within a single paragraph or in close proximity. This can make your writing sound repetitive and melodramatic. Instead, vary your phrasing with alternatives like "compounding the issue" or "adding insult to injury" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to make matters worse" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifically an conjunct or discourse marker. It serves to connect a new piece of information with the preceding context, indicating that the new information intensifies the negative aspect of the situation. Ludwig AI confirms its standard and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to make matters worse" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to highlight an additional negative aspect of a situation. Ludwig AI validates its appropriate usage across various contexts, especially in News & Media. While versatile, it’s important to avoid overuse and consider alternative phrasings for variety. Common errors include grammatical inaccuracies (e.g., "worser") and repetitive usage. By following best practices, you can effectively use "to make matters worse" to enhance your writing and clearly convey the escalating nature of negative events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to make matters even worse

Identical in meaning but adds an extra degree of emphasis.

making a bad situation worse

A simpler, more literal alternative, emphasizing the action of worsening.

adding insult to injury

Uses a more figurative expression to convey the idea of compounding a bad situation.

worsening the situation

A more direct and less idiomatic way of expressing the exacerbation of a problem.

as if that weren't enough

Emphasizes disbelief at the further worsening of the situation.

on top of everything else

Highlights the accumulation of negative circumstances.

if things weren't bad enough

Expresses a sense of resignation or frustration at the worsening circumstances.

to add fuel to the fire

Implies an action that intensifies an already volatile or problematic situation.

to compound the problem

Focuses on the way a new element makes the original problem more complex.

exacerbating the issue

A more formal and technical way of saying that a problem is getting worse.

FAQs

How can I use "to make matters worse" in a sentence?

Use "to make matters worse" to introduce a new element that exacerbates an already negative situation. For example, "The car broke down, and, "to make matters worse", it started to rain."

What can I say instead of "to make matters worse"?

You can use alternatives like "adding insult to injury", "as if that weren't enough", or "making a bad situation worse" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "to make matters worser" instead of "to make matters worse"?

No, "to make matters worser" is grammatically incorrect. The correct comparative form of "bad" is "worse". Always use "to make matters worse".

What's the difference between "to make matters worse" and "to make things worse"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "to make matters worse" generally refers to a specific set of circumstances or a situation, whereas "to make things worse" is more general. They are often interchangeable, but "to make matters worse" adds a slightly more emphatic tone.