can become worse vs can be worse

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Can become worse' is used when referring to a situation that has the potential to deteriorate further. 'Can be worse' is used when comparing the current situation to a hypothetical worse scenario.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 901 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"can become worse"

This phrase is used to indicate that a situation has the potential to deteriorate further.

Examples:

If we don't act quickly, the situation can become worse.
His health can become worse if he doesn't follow the doctor's advice.

Alternatives:

may become worse
could become worse
might become worse

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"can be worse"

This phrase is used when comparing the current situation to a hypothetical worse scenario.

Examples:

The weather is bad now, but it can be worse tomorrow.
I know things are tough, but they can be worse.

Show examples from the web [+]

It can be worse than I remembered.
Sometimes doing everything can be worse than nothing.
The cure can be worse than the disease.
In many cases, the remedy can be worse than the disease.
Sometimes life can be worse than a bad sitcom.
"Nothing can be worse than death," he answered with dignity, "and still I'm not afraid of you."
Nothing can be worse than that.
After all, nothing can be worse than the hopelessness and despair I am feeling now.
We don't want to accept that it can be worse somewhere else, or better.
Hence, nothing can be worse than losing those images from your memory card due to any kind of corruption or deletion.
What can be worse than standing here with you?
Women are affected disproportionately by this type of violence and the situation can be worse if the woman is dependent on the offender economically, socially or as regards her right to residence.
One life was good, but if you think this is the principle that is even worse, and how much can be worse.
Pain can be worse when we're tired and pain can also stop us sleeping well. We can be stressed because of pain and stress also makes the perception of pain worse.
The situation can be worse, and become more serious, with children's skin, which is more permeable than adult skin; the quality of what is put onto, or rubbed into, that skin can therefore really make a difference in terms of health.
Worse, there is no guarantee that despite the steep cost of spinal surgery, the results would be as expected. In many cases, the remedy can be worse than the disease.
Urusvati knows that certain conditions can be worse than the state of war.
No way this date can be worse than the last guy.
The social repercussions of relocations can be worse if workers or their representatives are not adequately consulted beforehand.
A man who hasn't killed can be worse than a mass murderer.

Alternatives:

could be worse
might be worse
may be worse

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can become worse vs can be worse

"can become worse"

"can be worse"

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