vicious cycle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'vicious cycle' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where an event or decision leads to an additional event or decision, and so on in a repeating pattern, usually leading to a negative outcome. For example, "The state's high unemployment rate has led to an increased demand for government assistance, creating a vicious cycle of increasing government spending and continued economic hardships."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A vicious cycle.

The New York Times

The vicious cycle continues.

Harvard Business Review

So it's a vicious cycle".

The New York Times

It's just this vicious cycle".

The New York Times

We're in a vicious cycle.

University of California, Berkeley

It becomes a vicious cycle.

The New York Times

The vicious cycle will deepen.

The Guardian

The vicious cycle turned virtuous.

The New York Times

"This is a vicious cycle.

The Guardian

Judgment creates the vicious cycle.

The New York Times

It is a vicious cycle.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vicious cycle" to clearly illustrate how one problem exacerbates another, leading to a worsening situation. For example, "The company's declining sales led to budget cuts, which further reduced marketing efforts, creating a vicious cycle of decreasing revenue."

Common error

Avoid using "vicious cycle" when merely describing correlated events without a clear causal link. Ensure the elements you describe directly influence each other in a closed loop; otherwise, it might be a simple correlation, not a self-perpetuating cycle.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vicious cycle" functions as a noun phrase that describes a situation where a problem intensifies itself through a repeating sequence of events. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a commonly used expression to denote negative feedback loops.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

22%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "vicious cycle" is a common and effective way to describe a self-reinforcing negative pattern, as supported by numerous examples from Ludwig. It is used across a variety of contexts, from News & Media to Academia. This phrase is best used when you want to highlight how one problem leads to another, thereby exacerbating the initial issue. Alternatives like "self-perpetuating spiral" or "downward spiral" can offer nuanced variations. Be careful not to misuse it for simple correlations and to ensure actual causation, and Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in depicting negative feedback loops, reinforcing its importance in clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

self-perpetuating spiral

Emphasizes the escalating and continuous nature of the cycle.

negative feedback loop

Highlights the closed-loop system where the output negatively influences the input.

downward spiral

Focuses on the declining and worsening aspect of the situation.

self-fulfilling prophecy

Indicates that the initial expectation leads to its own realization, often negatively.

catch-22

Describes a paradoxical situation where someone is trapped by contradictory rules.

problem begetting problem

Simple and direct way to express that one problem leads to another.

perpetual predicament

Highlights that the difficult situation is ongoing and seemingly endless.

iterative setback

Focuses on the repeating nature of the failures or hindrances.

cyclical regression

Indicates a pattern of decline that repeats over time.

no-win situation

Emphasizes the lack of a positive outcome, regardless of the actions taken.

FAQs

How can I use "vicious cycle" in a sentence?

Use "vicious cycle" to describe a situation where one problem causes another, which in turn exacerbates the initial problem. For example: "The lack of exercise leads to weight gain, which makes it harder to exercise, creating a "vicious cycle"."

What are some alternatives to "vicious cycle"?

Alternatives include "self-perpetuating spiral", "negative feedback loop", or "downward spiral", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "vicious circle" or "vicious cycle" correct?

"Vicious cycle" is the more commonly used and accepted term, although "vicious circle" is also understood. Both refer to the same concept.

How is a "vicious cycle" different from a "snowball effect"?

A "vicious cycle" implies a negative self-reinforcing loop, while a "snowball effect" can be either positive or negative, focusing on the increasing magnitude of an event over time. The key difference is that a "vicious cycle" is inherently negative, creating a closed loop of negative effects.