were exacerbated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were exacerbated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where problems or negative conditions have worsened due to certain factors. Example: "The issues with the project were exacerbated by a lack of communication among team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Those concerns were exacerbated by Katrina.

The New York Times - Sports

They were exacerbated by a deep sense of injustice.

The Guardian

The Dodgers' woes were exacerbated by McCourt's bitter divorce battle.

The Guardian - Sport

Boardroom battles were exacerbated by the presence of the administrators.

The Guardian - Sport

Those feelings were exacerbated when the teacher called on her.

The Washington Post

Its contradictions and imperfections were exacerbated by the economic crisis.

The New York Times

Problems were exacerbated — but not created — by Islamist strictures.

The New York Times

The report showed that participants' problems were exacerbated by high levels of personal debt.

The Guardian

Tensions were exacerbated when Giap's tactics against the US forces after 1965 achieved only mixed results.

The Guardian

The floods currently drowning the city of Chennai, he said, were exacerbated by global warming.

The Guardian

Her fears were exacerbated when she struggled to recognise the ball during netball and basketball matches.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were exacerbated" to describe how specific factors contribute to the worsening of a problem or situation. For example, "The economic crisis was exacerbated by rising unemployment rates."

Common error

Avoid using "were exacerbated" in very simple situations where a simpler term like "worsened" or "increased" would suffice. Overusing sophisticated language can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were exacerbated" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject's condition has been worsened or aggravated by an external factor. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct. The phrase commonly appears in contexts where problems or negative situations are amplified.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were exacerbated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, employed to convey that a particular situation or problem has been made worse by specific factors. It commonly appears in formal writing, particularly in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that you are pinpointing how certain factors contributed to worsening the situation. While alternatives such as "were aggravated" or "were intensified" exist, "were exacerbated" carries a nuance of something already negative being made even worse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were aggravated

Simple synonym replacement; "aggravated" is used instead of "exacerbated".

were intensified

Simple synonym replacement; "intensified" is used instead of "exacerbated".

were made worse

Rephrasing using a more common and simpler expression.

were compounded

Implies an accumulation of negative effects.

were amplified

Suggests an increase in magnitude or effect.

deteriorated further

Focuses on the process of decline in a more general sense.

were inflamed

Implies an increase in hostility or tension.

degenerated

Highlights a decline in quality or condition.

suffered a setback

Implies a temporary worsening of a situation.

spiraled out of control

Suggests a rapid and uncontrollable decline.

FAQs

How can I use "were exacerbated" in a sentence?

Use "were exacerbated" to indicate that a situation or problem was made worse by certain factors. For example, "The existing tensions "were exacerbated" by the new policy."

What are some alternatives to "were exacerbated"?

You can use alternatives such as "were aggravated", "were intensified", or "were made worse" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "were exacerbated" in formal writing?

Yes, "were exacerbated" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in academic, scientific, and professional contexts, as shown by Ludwig.

What is the difference between "were exacerbated" and "were aggravated"?

While both phrases imply a worsening of a situation, "were exacerbated" often suggests that something already bad was made even worse, while "were aggravated" can imply an initial irritation that grew into a larger problem.