worsen the problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "worsen the problem" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you feel that something is making a bad situation even worse. For example: "Without proper regulation, the pollution from factories will only worsen the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bixby notes that tablets worsen the problem.

MIT Technology Review

And for immigrant families, language barriers only worsen the problem.

Harvard University

It would only worsen the problem, he said.

The Economist

That can only worsen the problem, encouraging bullies to become increasingly hurtful.

The New York Times - Health

(The museum will actually worsen the problem in its immediate vicinity, near the High Line).

The New Yorker

Unfortunately though, the committee has proposed a remedy that would only worsen the problem.

The New York Times

The banks worsen the problem by refusing to require identification verification before opening new, unsolicited accounts.

The New York Times

But doesn't logic dictate that heavier loads would worsen the problem?

The New York Times - Tech

High-phosphate fertilizers may worsen the problem, since uranium tends to associate with phosphates.

The New York Times

Parallel resonance may worsen the problem because it increases voltage distortion around the resonance frequency.

Electric Power Systems Research

First, deflation occurs slowly and is unpleasant and may well worsen the problem of household indebtedness.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "worsen the problem", clearly identify the specific problem you are referring to, providing context for clarity. For example: "Ignoring early signs of climate change will only "worsen the problem" of rising sea levels."

Common error

Avoid focusing solely on superficial actions while neglecting the core issue, as this can "worsen the problem" by delaying or preventing effective solutions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worsen the problem" functions as a verb phrase that describes an action which intensifies a negative situation. It expresses a cause-and-effect relationship, where a specific action leads to a more severe problem. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Academia

16%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "worsen the problem" is a frequently used and grammatically correct phrase that effectively conveys the idea of exacerbating an existing issue. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, ranging from formal news reports to more casual discussions. To maximize clarity, ensure you clearly identify the specific problem you are referring to, and be mindful of potential alternative expressions like "aggravate the issue" or "exacerbate the situation" to add nuance to your writing. Be aware that ignoring the underlying causes can also "worsen the problem", so a comprehensive understanding of the situation is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aggravate the issue

Uses a different verb ("aggravate" instead of "worsen") with a synonym for "problem" ("issue").

exacerbate the situation

Employs "exacerbate", a more formal synonym for "worsen", and replaces "problem" with "situation".

compound the difficulty

Uses "compound" implying an increase or accumulation of the "difficulty".

intensify the crisis

Replaces "problem" with the more urgent term "crisis" and implies a heightened level of severity.

deepen the troubles

Employs "deepen" suggesting an increase in the complexity or severity of the "troubles".

aggravate the circumstances

Employs "aggravate" implying making the circumstances more unpleasant.

inflame the matter

Uses "inflame", which suggests making the matter more heated or contentious.

heighten the challenge

Employs "heighten", indicating an increase in the intensity of the "challenge".

magnify the complexity

Uses "magnify", implying an increase in the apparent size or importance of the "complexity".

amplify the predicament

Employs "amplify", suggesting making the predicament more pronounced or significant.

FAQs

What does "worsen the problem" mean?

The phrase "worsen the problem" means to make an existing problem more severe, intense, or difficult to manage. It implies that an action or situation is exacerbating an already negative condition.

How can I use "worsen the problem" in a sentence?

You can use "worsen the problem" to describe how a particular action or decision makes a negative situation even worse. For example, "Ignoring the warnings about excessive spending will only "worsen the problem" of our growing debt."

What are some alternatives to "worsen the problem"?

Alternatives to "worsen the problem" include "aggravate the issue", "exacerbate the situation", or "compound the difficulty". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "worsen the problem" or "aggravate the problem"?

Both "worsen the problem" and "aggravate the problem" are correct and usable. "Aggravate" can sometimes imply making something persistently annoying, while "worsen" typically refers to making the severity of the situation greater. Choose based on the specific context.