worsen over time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "worsen over time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation that gets progressively worse, either gradually or abruptly, over a period of time. For example, "The recent economic downturn has caused unemployment numbers to worsen over time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, when neurological conditions worsen over time, they produce a variety of symptoms and functional impairments that often increase demands on informal caregivers.

BMC Health Services Research

Second, the death of Bmi-1 germline knockout mice before young adulthood meant that adult phenotypes could not be studied directly and it was assumed that the deficits observed in the early postnatal period would rapidly worsen over time.

eLife

Secondary progressive MS — which Ms Van Den Borne has — is when symptoms gradually worsen over time.

Independent

Doctors familiar with the disease say if the diagnosis is accurate, MacCulloch's symptoms will only worsen over time.

The New York Times - Sports

With this form of multiple sclerosis, he said, "neurological symptoms tend to only very slowly worsen over time".

The New York Times

Woolf was the first to answer an old puzzle: why does chronic pain often worsen over time?

The New York Times - Magazine

The problem will only worsen over time until the Korean War armistice is replaced with a permanent peace regime.

The New York Times

People are treated with a plethora of drugs for a range of disorders, yet even with optimum compliance, they tend to worsen over time.

The New York Times

Economists forecast that the problem would worsen over time because Mr. McCain, according to advisers, would index his tax credits to overall inflation.

The New York Times

According to those data, in 2009, there were only 29 pipeline releases from corrosion and other causes that can worsen over time, compared with 45 in 2002.

The New York Times

Nine patients in this study did appear to worsen over time due to chronic opioid use.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing chronic conditions or long-term trends, use "worsen over time" to clearly indicate a progressive deterioration. For example, "Without proper treatment, symptoms of arthritis often worsen over time."

Common error

Avoid using "worsen over time" when describing situations that deteriorate quickly or have a short duration. For rapidly declining situations, consider using terms like "deteriorate rapidly" or "decline sharply" to more accurately reflect the immediacy of the change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worsen over time" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process of deterioration or decline that unfolds across a duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly signifies a situation becoming progressively worse, aligning with examples across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

44%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "worsen over time" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe the deterioration of a condition, situation, or problem. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English. With high frequency in scientific and news contexts, it’s best suited for neutral to formal communication. When using this phrase, consider its implications of a gradual negative change and, if needed, explore alternatives like "deteriorate with time" or "degenerate over time" to better fit specific nuances. Remember to reserve "worsen over time" for scenarios exhibiting gradual decline, avoiding its application in cases of abrupt or immediate deterioration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Deteriorate with time

Focuses on the decaying aspect, differing slightly in emphasis from the active "worsen".

Degenerate over time

Implies a loss of positive qualities, suggesting moral or structural decline in addition to worsening.

Decline with the passage of time

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the gradual reduction in quality or condition.

Fall into disrepair as time goes on

This phrase describes a gradual process of decay and neglect.

Go downhill over the long run

This idiom implies a steady decrease in quality, condition, or effectiveness with prolonged duration.

Take a turn for the worse with time

Describes a sudden or marked decline in condition or circumstances.

Become exacerbated over time

Highlights the process of something becoming more intense or severe with the passing of time.

Escalate as time progresses

Describes a gradual increase in intensity or severity.

Intensify over a period of time

Focuses on the increasing strength or severity of something.

Become aggravated with the passage of time

Focuses on making something already bad even worse as time passes.

FAQs

How can I use "worsen over time" in a sentence?

You can use "worsen over time" to describe conditions, situations, or problems that become progressively more severe or negative as time passes. For example, "The effects of climate change are expected to "worsen over time"."

What are some alternatives to "worsen over time"?

Some alternatives to "worsen over time" include "deteriorate with time", "decline with the passage of time", or "degenerate over time". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more accurate to say "worsen with time" or "worsen over time"?

Both "worsen with time" and "worsen over time" are grammatically correct and convey similar meanings. "Worsen over time" is generally more common and emphasizes the process of deterioration occurring throughout a period of time.

What types of conditions typically "worsen over time"?

Chronic illnesses, environmental problems, and unresolved conflicts are examples of issues that can "worsen over time" if not addressed. These situations typically involve gradual deterioration rather than sudden change.