which exacerbates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which exacerbates" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or action that worsens or intensifies a problem or condition. Example: "The lack of communication between departments is a major issue, which exacerbates the existing misunderstandings."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Climate change is unpredictable, which exacerbates the problem.

The Guardian

He drinks heavily, which exacerbates his natural distrust and competitiveness.

The New Yorker

Hotter air can hold more moisture, which exacerbates greenhouse warming.

The New York Times - Science

Unfortunately, this guy always buys German cars, which exacerbates our external debt.

The New York Times

Students go off-campus to drink, often driving there, which exacerbates the problem.

The Economist

Foreign entrants face many state-owned competitors – particularly Sberbank and VTB – which exacerbates the problems they face in winning business.

The Guardian - Business

Long-term groundwater depletion causes the earth to sink, which exacerbates flooding, a major problem in Dhaka.

The Guardian

The gaping cracks are allowing more water to flow under the pavement, which exacerbates the frost heaving.

The Washington Post

The authors said they were appalled their trade should be "commercially connected to one which exacerbates insecurity and repression".

The Guardian - Business

Yet for decades their modest-size island has been politically divided, which exacerbates the problem by letting prejudicial myths flourish.

The New York Times

Mr Brown also wants to tackle the shortage of new homes, which exacerbates the instability of the housing market.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which exacerbates" to clearly link a preceding cause or situation to a worsening outcome. Ensure the connection between the cause and effect is logical and evident to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "which exacerbates" when a neutral or positive intensification is intended. It carries a negative connotation, implying that something is becoming worse, not simply more intense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which exacerbates" functions as a nonrestrictive relative clause, providing additional information about a preceding situation or action. It specifies that the preceding element is causing something to worsen. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "which exacerbates" is a useful tool for expressing how one situation or action worsens another. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts, especially in science, news, and academic writing. While the phrase is generally considered neutral to formal, it's crucial to be mindful of its negative connotation and select it appropriately. Simpler alternatives might be more fitting in informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which intensifies

Replaces "exacerbates" with a more direct synonym, focusing on the act of making something stronger or more acute.

which aggravates

Replaces "exacerbates" with a close synonym, implying irritation or annoyance is added to the situation.

which compounds

Suggests that something is added to an existing problem, making it worse.

further complicating

Highlights the aspect of making the situation more complex and difficult to resolve.

thereby worsening

Changes the structure to an adverbial phrase indicating a result or consequence.

making the problem worse

Simplifies the language to a more basic and easily understandable form.

only to worsen

Emphasizes the negative outcome and the disappointment associated with the situation's deterioration.

contributing to the deterioration of

Focuses on the gradual decline and the role of the phrase's subject in causing that decline.

serving to amplify

Implies that the subject of the phrase makes something louder or more prominent, whether literally or figuratively.

and consequently degrades

Connects the action to a resulting decline or reduction in quality.

FAQs

How do I use "which exacerbates" in a sentence?

Use "which exacerbates" to connect a preceding clause or noun phrase to a negative consequence or worsening situation. For instance, "The lack of funding is a significant problem, "which exacerbates" the existing inequalities."

What are some alternatives to "which exacerbates"?

You can use alternatives like "which worsens", "which aggravates", or "which compounds", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "which exacerbates" formal or informal?

"Which exacerbates" is generally considered a formal phrase. In more informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "which makes it worse" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "which exacerbates" and "which amplifies"?

"Which exacerbates" implies a worsening of a negative situation, while "which amplifies" suggests an increase in intensity or magnitude, which may not necessarily be negative. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the negative impact or simply the increase in something.