worse

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "worse" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to make a comparison between two things that are not as good as each other. For example, "Sally's grade on the test was worse than John's."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nor is it always the worse for the society that it was no part of it.

The Economist

But there was worse to come.

The New York Times

But it's worse than that.

The New York Times

It doesn't get much worse than that".

The New York Times

But simply canceling those deficit-reduction measures would risk a financial crisis that would make matters worse, the report said.

The New York Times

Far worse.

The Guardian

It is making things worse, not better.

The Guardian

It's worse than that.

The New York Times - Arts

It got worse.

The New York Times - Sports

Above all, in Baghdad there was a pervasive air of deskbound caution, buck-passing, and ass-covering, in contrast with the Wild West atmosphere that broke out, for better and for worse, in Saigon in April of 1975.

The Economist

Now she panics whenever she forgets names and dates, which makes her feel worse.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger alternatives like "disastrous" or "catastrophic" if the situation warrants a more impactful description.

Common error

Avoid using "worse" when you mean "worst". "Worse" is a comparative (comparing two things), while "worst" is a superlative (comparing three or more things). For example, say "This is the worst movie ever" not "This is the worse movie ever".

Linguistic Context

"Worse" functions primarily as a comparative adjective or adverb, indicating a lower quality, condition, or degree. It modifies nouns or verbs to show a relative decline or inferiority, as supported by Ludwig's examples demonstrating its use in comparisons.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "worse" is a commonly used comparative adjective or adverb that indicates a decline in quality or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in various contexts, primarily within news and media. When using "worse", it's essential to ensure a clear comparison is made, avoiding its confusion with the superlative form "worst". Consider alternatives like "more unfavorable" or "deteriorated" to add nuance to your writing. Remember to always compare two items using "worse" and use "worst" when comparing three or more.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worsened

A direct synonym indicating that something has become less desirable or more problematic.

more unfavorable

Emphasizes the negative aspect and lack of favor, suitable for formal contexts.

deteriorated

Focuses on the process of becoming worse, often used in describing conditions or situations.

declined

Similar to deteriorated, but can also refer to a decrease in quantity or number.

more serious

Highlights the increased severity of a situation, often in terms of consequences or danger.

gone downhill

An idiomatic expression indicating a decline, often used informally.

exacerbated

A more formal synonym for aggravated, often used in medical or technical contexts.

aggravated

Implies that something has been made more severe or intense.

turned sour

An idiomatic expression suggesting that a situation has become unpleasant or undesirable.

regressed

Indicates a return to a previous, less developed state.

FAQs

How is "worse" used in a sentence?

"Worse" is typically used to compare two things, indicating that one is of a lower quality or more undesirable than the other. For example, "The traffic today is "worse than yesterday"".

What can I say instead of "worse"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "more unfavorable", "deteriorated", or "worsened".

When should I use "worse" instead of "worst"?

Use "worse" when comparing two items. Use "worst" when indicating the most undesirable item out of three or more. For example, "His performance was "worse than hers"," but "That was the "worst performance of the night"".

What's the difference between "worse" and "worsened"?

"Worse" is a comparative adjective or adverb, while "worsened" is a verb indicating the act of becoming worse. For example, "The situation is getting "worse"," versus "His condition has "worsened" since yesterday".