Making matters worse vs Make matters worse

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Making matters worse' is the present participle form and is used when describing an ongoing action that is worsening a situation. 'Make matters worse' is the base form and is used to state a fact or possibility of worsening a situation.

Last updated: March 11, 2024

Making matters worse

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe an ongoing action that is worsening a situation.

This phrase is used when you want to highlight that something is adding to the negative aspects of a situation.

Examples:

She kept interrupting, making matters worse.
His absence from the meeting is making matters worse.

Alternatives:

exacerbating the situation
aggravating the problem
compounding the issue
worsening the circumstances
deteriorating the conditions

Make matters worse

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to state a fact or possibility of worsening a situation.

This phrase is used to indicate that something could worsen a situation or to state that something is worsening a situation.

Examples:

Adding insult to injury, his car broke down, making matters worse.
If we don't act quickly, we will make matters worse.

Alternatives:

worsen the situation
deteriorate the circumstances
aggravate the problem
exacerbate the issue
compound the situation

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Making matters worse vs Make matters worse