was aggravated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was aggravated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something has been made worse or intensified, often in relation to a problem or condition. Example: "The patient's condition was aggravated by the lack of proper treatment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I was aggravated.

The New York Times

"Well, I was aggravated," Duhon said.

The New York Times - Sports

This, to the Georgia courts, was "aggravated assault".

The Guardian

The injury was aggravated last Thursday in Portland.

The New York Times - Sports

Wirth's anguish was aggravated by the increasingly naive comments being directed his way.

The Guardian - Sport

Officials cited the worldwide financial slump, which was aggravated by the Sept. 11 attacks.

The New York Times

But his role was "aggravated because of your role as a commander".

The New York Times

Severe myopia gave her a squint that was aggravated by her voracious reading.

The New Yorker

In most jurisdictions, adultery was not sufficient ground, nor was aggravated assault.

The New Yorker

The atmosphere was aggravated by accusations of racism and anti-Semitism.

The New York Times

Their predicament was aggravated by a weakening in the chain of command.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was aggravated", ensure that the subject causing the aggravation is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify what action or condition "was aggravated" by what factor.

Common error

Avoid using "was aggravated" when a situation simply remained unchanged or experienced a minor inconvenience. "Aggravated" implies a notable worsening, so ensure the context aligns with a significant increase in severity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was aggravated" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that a subject experienced the action of being made worse or more severe. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where a pre-existing condition or situation has its intensity increased by an external factor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

57%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was aggravated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction, as also highlighted by Ludwig AI. It effectively conveys the idea that something has been made worse or more severe. It's commonly found in news, science and encyclopedia articles. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity about what caused the aggravation and that the context justifies the intensity implied by "aggravated". Alternative expressions like "was exacerbated" or "was worsened" can offer similar meanings with subtle differences in emphasis, so writers are able to improve the selection of words for a better effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was exacerbated

This alternative implies a more significant increase in severity or intensity, often in the context of a disease or problem.

was intensified

This suggests that something has become stronger or more extreme.

was worsened

This is a more direct and general way to say that something has become worse.

was compounded

This indicates that something was made worse by the addition of another factor or problem.

was heightened

This suggests an increase in degree or intensity, often used for emotions or sensations.

was inflamed

This alternative implies that something has been made angry or bitter.

was magnified

This suggests that something was made to appear larger or more significant than it actually is.

was amplified

This implies an increase in sound or signal strength; metaphorically, it means something was made more prominent.

was augmented

This suggests that something was increased by adding something to it.

deteriorated further

Implies an ongoing process of decline that has continued.

FAQs

How can I use "was aggravated" in a sentence?

Use "was aggravated" to indicate that a situation, condition, or problem became worse or more severe. For example, "The patient's condition "was aggravated" by the lack of proper treatment".

What are some alternatives to "was aggravated"?

You can use alternatives such as "was exacerbated", "was worsened", or "was intensified" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "was aggravated by" or "aggravated by"?

"Was aggravated by" is the passive voice construction, indicating that something received the action of being aggravated. "Aggravated by" without "was" would require a different sentence structure (e.g., "The condition, aggravated by stress, worsened rapidly").

What's the difference between ""was aggravated"" and "was irritated"?

"Was aggravated" implies a worsening of a situation or condition, while "was irritated" suggests a feeling of annoyance or frustration. They are not interchangeable.