worsened

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "worsened" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation that has become worse or more severe over time. Example: "The patient's condition has worsened since the last check-up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Paul Johnson, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies thinktank, said: "Two more years of substantial real public spending cuts: that is what the chancellor has promised in response to the OBR's dramatically worsened macroeconomic forecasts.

The Guardian

As the infighting worsened, Simon Khaya Moyo, Zanu-PF's chairman, issued an edict: "I must warn the party leadership, at every level, not to use the media to abuse the first lady's name for whatever reason.

The Guardian

For once, France is no exception: since the crisis began trust in the EU has diminished and its image has worsened.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ganyiel's isolation is worsened by constant flooding.

The Guardian

Hockney's deafness, which is hereditary and requires him to wear hearing aids in both ears, worsened.

The Guardian - Arts

I suffer from hay fever every year, and my symptoms have worsened.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The greedy, selfish "development" has worsened, instead of alleviating, its two biggest headaches: housing and traffic.

The Guardian

The report found a widening gap between rich and poor at the most selective universities, but no evidence this has worsened since top-up fees were introduced in 2006.

The Guardian

The health of many of the most vulnerable people in our society has worsened when it needed to improve.

The Guardian

Last week a kidney ailment worsened and he was admitted to Kingston Hospital, where he suffered a heart attack.

The Guardian

Confusion is worsened by the conflation between fully open access journals and hybrid journals – proprietary journals which include an option for open access for individual articles.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "worsened" to clearly indicate a decline or deterioration in a situation, condition, or quality. Ensure the context makes it clear what has become worse.

Common error

Avoid using "worsened" with subjects that don't logically allow for deterioration. For example, instead of saying "The theory worsened", consider "The theory became less credible" or "The theory was refuted".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "worsened" is as the past tense and past participle of the verb "worsen". It describes the action of something becoming worse. Ludwig AI validates this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "worsened" functions as a verb form indicating a decline or deterioration. Ludwig AI confirms that the examples of its usage are very common, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. To ensure clarity, use "worsened" to describe a clear decline in a situation or condition. When selecting alternatives, consider words like "deteriorated", "declined", or "exacerbated", based on the specific nuance you want to convey. Avoid misusing "worsened" with abstract subjects that cannot logically deteriorate. By following these guidelines, you can use "worsened" effectively to communicate negative changes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deteriorated

Indicates a gradual decline in quality or condition.

degenerated

Suggests a decline to a lower or less desirable state.

declined

Implies a decrease in quality, quantity, or importance.

exacerbated

Signifies making a problem or situation worse.

aggravated

Indicates making a condition or injury more severe.

compounded

Suggests that something has intensified or added to an existing problem.

intensified

Implies an increase in the degree or strength of something.

weakened

Indicates a loss of strength or effectiveness.

regressed

Signifies a return to a previous, less developed state.

slipped

Suggests a gradual decline from a previous level or standard.

FAQs

How do I use "worsened" in a sentence?

Use "worsened" to describe a state or condition that has become more negative or undesirable over time. For example, "The economic situation has "worsened" since last year".

What can I say instead of "worsened"?

You can use alternatives like "deteriorated", "declined", or "exacerbated" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "worsened" or "gotten worse"?

Both "worsened" and "gotten worse" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably in many contexts. "Worsened" is generally more formal, while "gotten worse" is more informal.

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

"Worsened" generally describes a decline in overall condition, while "aggravated" implies making an existing problem more severe. For example, "The symptoms "worsened"" (general decline) vs. "The medication aggravated the condition" (made it more severe).