worsened by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "worsened by" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that has become more difficult or negative due to a specific factor or reason. Example: The traffic in the city was already bad, but it was further worsened by the ongoing construction on the main highway.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Heart disease worsened by stress?

The New York Times

Ganyiel's isolation is worsened by constant flooding.

The Guardian

The trade deficit had worsened by 43%.

The Economist

They were worsened by Shas's difficult relationship with Mr. Barak.

The New York Times

In some places the problems were worsened by drought.

The New York Times

These conflicts of interest were worsened by financial consolidation.

The New York Times

Leo's difficulties were worsened by the contemporary political situation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Buildings can sustain damage that can be worsened by aftershocks.

The New York Times

These problems are only worsened by euro membership.

The New York Times

Weakened populations fell prey to disease and pestilence, themselves worsened by environmental and living conditions.

The Guardian

But for Leumi, the outlook has been worsened by the crisis in the Middle East.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "worsened by" to clearly indicate the specific cause or contributing factor to a negative situation. This helps to provide context and understanding.

Common error

While "worsened by" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing where more sophisticated vocabulary might be appropriate. Consider synonyms like "exacerbated by" or "compounded by" for variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worsened by" functions as a passive construction indicating that a situation or condition has been negatively impacted by a specific factor. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, as seen in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "worsened by" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to indicate that a situation has deteriorated due to a particular factor. Ludwig AI confirms its broad acceptability and provides many examples across various contexts. It is most frequently found in news media and scientific publications. For stylistic variation, consider synonyms like "exacerbated by" or "aggravated by". When using the phrase, ensure clarity in identifying the specific cause that has contributed to the negative outcome. Overusing "worsened by" in highly formal writing might benefit from considering more sophisticated alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exacerbated by

Formal synonym, emphasizing the increase in severity.

aggravated by

Similar to "worsened by", but often implies a more irritating or troublesome effect.

compounded by

Highlights the addition of another negative element, making the situation more complex and problematic.

intensified by

Focuses on the increase in intensity or strength of the negative effect.

made worse by

A simpler, more direct way of saying "worsened by".

further deteriorated by

Emphasizes a decline that continues due to another factor.

negatively affected by

A broader term that indicates a negative impact without specifically focusing on worsening.

undermined by

Suggests a weakening or damaging effect caused by something.

complicated by

Highlights the introduction of complexities that make the situation less manageable.

inflamed by

Implies an increase in anger or passion connected to a problem.

FAQs

How can I use "worsened by" in a sentence?

You can use "worsened by" to show how a situation has deteriorated due to a specific cause. For example, "The economic crisis was "worsened by" the rise in unemployment."

What are some alternatives to "worsened by"?

Alternatives include "exacerbated by", "aggravated by", or "compounded by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the situation worsened because of" instead of "the situation was worsened by"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "the situation was "worsened by"" is more concise and often preferred in formal writing. "The situation worsened because of" may sound more conversational.

What is the difference between "worsened by" and "caused by"?

"Worsened by" implies that a situation was already negative and became even more so due to something else. "Caused by" means something was directly responsible for initiating the negative situation.