Reaggravate vs Aggravate: When And How Can You Use Each One?

Have you ever found yourself confused about whether to use “reaggravate” or “aggravate” in a sentence? It’s a common mistake, but fear not, we’re here to clear things up for you.

The proper word to use is “aggravate.” While “reaggravate” is sometimes used colloquially, it is not considered a standard word in the English language.

So what do these words mean? “Aggravate” means to make a problem or situation worse, while “reaggravate” means to make a problem or situation worse again after it had already improved or been resolved.

In this article, we’ll explore the differences between these two words and provide examples of how to use them correctly.

Define Reaggravate

Reaggravate is a verb that means to worsen or exacerbate an existing injury, illness, or condition that was previously improving or healing. It implies a setback in the recovery process and a return to a more severe or acute state. Reaggravation can occur due to a variety of factors such as overexertion, reinjury, or inadequate rest and rehabilitation. It is a common concern for athletes, patients, and anyone who has experienced a previous health issue.

Define Aggravate

Aggravate is a verb that means to make a problem or situation worse or more difficult to deal with. It can refer to physical, emotional, or social issues that are exacerbated by external or internal factors. For example, stress can aggravate a preexisting medical condition, while a lack of resources can aggravate poverty. Aggravation can also be caused by people or things that annoy, frustrate, or irritate someone. In legal contexts, aggravating factors are circumstances that increase the severity of a crime or the punishment for it.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to using the words reaggravate and aggravate in a sentence, it is important to understand their meanings and nuances. While they may seem interchangeable at first glance, they actually have distinct connotations that can greatly affect the tone and clarity of your writing. In this section, we will explore how to use these words correctly and effectively.

How To Use Reaggravate In A Sentence

Reaggravate is a verb that means to worsen or exacerbate a pre-existing condition or injury. It is important to note that reaggravate can only be used when referring to something that has already been aggravated in the past. Here are some examples of how to use reaggravate in a sentence:

• After a few days of rest, John’s knee felt better, but he reaggravated it by trying to run too soon.
• The physical therapist warned her patient not to overdo it, as doing so could reaggravate his back pain.
• She was frustrated that her ankle injury kept reaggravating every time she tried to play sports.

As you can see, reaggravate is typically used in the context of injuries or medical conditions that have already been aggravated in the past. It is important to use this word carefully and accurately, as misusing it can lead to confusion or even miscommunication.

How To Use Aggravate In A Sentence

Aggravate is a verb that means to make something worse or more severe. Unlike reaggravate, aggravate can be used in a wider range of contexts, including ones that do not involve pre-existing conditions. Here are some examples of how to use aggravate in a sentence:

• The loud music from the party next door was starting to aggravate her headache.
• He knew that arguing with his boss would only aggravate the situation, so he kept quiet.
• The politician’s controversial remarks only served to aggravate tensions between the two countries.

As you can see, aggravate can be used in a variety of situations where something is being made worse or more severe. It is important to use this word appropriately and accurately, as misusing it can also lead to confusion or miscommunication.

More Examples Of Reaggravate & Aggravate Used In Sentences

When it comes to using the words reaggravate and aggravate in a sentence, it can be confusing to determine which one to use. Here are some more examples of how these words can be used in different contexts:

Examples Of Using Reaggravate In A Sentence

• After I had surgery on my knee, I tried to do too much too soon and ended up reaggravating the injury.
• The physical therapist warned me not to reaggravate my shoulder injury by lifting anything heavy.
• My doctor told me that if I don’t rest my ankle, I could reaggravate the sprain.
• He knew that running on his injured ankle would reaggravate the pain, but he did it anyway.
• She was afraid that playing basketball again would reaggravate her previous knee injury.
• The coach was careful not to reaggravate the player’s concussion by allowing him to return to the game too soon.
• He had to be careful not to reaggravate his back injury by lifting anything heavy.
• The physical therapist suggested that the patient avoid any activities that could reaggravate the muscle strain.
• She was worried that wearing high heels would reaggravate her plantar fasciitis.
• He was careful not to reaggravate his wrist injury by avoiding any activities that required repetitive motion.

Examples Of Using Aggravate In A Sentence

• His constant complaining only served to aggravate the situation.
• The loud music from the party next door was starting to aggravate me.
• The teacher’s pet peeve was when students would aggravate each other during class.
• She knew that bringing up the topic of politics would only aggravate her grandfather’s temper.
• The traffic jam on the way to work was starting to aggravate him.
• He had a tendency to aggravate his coworkers by constantly interrupting them during meetings.
• The customer’s rude behavior was starting to aggravate the sales associate.
• The constant barking of the neighbor’s dog was starting to aggravate the entire neighborhood.
• She was careful not to aggravate her friend’s anxiety by bringing up a sensitive topic.
• His tendency to procrastinate would always aggravate his boss.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words “reaggravate” and “aggravate,” many people tend to use them interchangeably. However, this is a common mistake that can lead to confusion and miscommunication. Here are some of the most common mistakes to avoid:

Using “Reaggravate” And “Aggravate” Interchangeably

The first and most obvious mistake is using “reaggravate” and “aggravate” interchangeably. While they may seem similar, they have different meanings. “Aggravate” means to make something worse or more severe, while “reaggravate” means to make something worse again after it has already improved. Using these words interchangeably can lead to confusion and misunderstandings.

Incorrectly Using “Reaggravate”

Another common mistake is using “reaggravate” incorrectly. Many people use this word to mean “aggravate,” which is incorrect. For example, saying “I don’t want to reaggravate the situation” implies that the situation has already improved, but you don’t want to make it worse again. However, if the situation hasn’t improved, you should use “aggravate” instead.

Using “Aggravate” When You Mean “Exacerbate”

Another mistake is using “aggravate” when you really mean “exacerbate.” While these words are similar, they have different meanings. “Aggravate” means to make something worse, while “exacerbate” means to make something worse by adding to it. For example, if you have a headache and someone is talking loudly, they are aggravating your headache. However, if you have a headache and someone hits you on the head, they are exacerbating your headache.

Tips For Avoiding These Mistakes

To avoid these common mistakes, it’s important to understand the meanings of “reaggravate” and “aggravate” and use them correctly. Here are some tips:

• Use “aggravate” when you want to say that something is making a situation worse.
• Use “reaggravate” when you want to say that something is making a situation worse again after it has already improved.
• If you’re not sure which word to use, look up the definitions to make sure you’re using the right one.
• Consider using “exacerbate” instead of “aggravate” if you want to emphasize that something is making a situation worse by adding to it.

Context Matters

Choosing between the words “reaggravate” and “aggravate” can depend on the context in which they are used. The meaning of these two words is similar, but their usage varies depending on the situation.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “reaggravate” and “aggravate” might change:

Context	Example Sentence	Appropriate Word Choice
Medical	The patient’s injury was reaggravated during physical therapy.	Reaggravate
	The physical therapist aggravated the patient’s injury during the session.	Aggravate
Legal	The defendant’s actions reaggravated the victim’s emotional distress.	Reaggravate
	The defendant’s actions aggravated the victim’s emotional distress.	Aggravate
Everyday Conversation	My boss’s criticism reaggravated my stress levels.	Reaggravate
	My boss’s criticism aggravated me.	Aggravate

As demonstrated in the examples above, the choice between “reaggravate” and “aggravate” can vary based on the context. In medical and legal contexts, “reaggravate” is the appropriate choice when referring to the worsening of a previous condition or injury. In everyday conversation, “reaggravate” can still be used, but “aggravate” is also acceptable.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using reaggravate and aggravate are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions where they may not apply. Here are some examples:

Medical Terminology

In medical terminology, the use of reaggravate is more common than aggravate. This is because medical conditions often involve the recurrence or exacerbation of symptoms. For instance, a doctor may say that a patient’s injury has reaggravated, meaning that it has worsened after improving.

Regional Differences

There may be regional differences in the use of reaggravate and aggravate. For example, in some parts of the United States, reaggravate is used more frequently than aggravate, while in other regions, the opposite may be true.

Contextual Usage

Contextual usage can also affect the choice between reaggravate and aggravate. For instance, if someone says “I don’t want to aggravate the situation,” it means they do not want to make the situation worse. However, saying “I don’t want to reaggravate the situation” would not make sense in this context, as the situation has not yet worsened.

Technical Jargon

In technical jargon, such as in engineering or physics, the use of aggravate is more common than reaggravate. This is because these fields often involve the introduction of new stressors or factors that worsen a situation. For example, an engineer may say that a design flaw aggravates the stress on a particular component, causing it to fail.

Summary

While the rules for using reaggravate and aggravate are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to keep in mind. Medical terminology, regional differences, contextual usage, and technical jargon can all affect the choice between these two words.

Practice Exercises

Now that we have a better understanding of the difference between reaggravate and aggravate, it’s important to practice using them correctly in sentences. Here are some exercises to help improve your understanding:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word (reaggravate or aggravate) to fill in the blank in each sentence below:

1. The athlete’s injury was __________ by his decision to continue playing.
2. Please don’t __________ the situation by making things worse.
3. The doctor warned the patient not to do anything that could __________ his condition.
4. She was afraid that her comments would __________ the already tense situation.

Answer Key:

1. reaggravated
2. aggravate
3. reaggravate
4. aggravate

Exercise 2: Rewrite The Sentence

Rewrite the following sentences using either reaggravate or aggravate:

1. The stress of the job made his back pain worse.
2. Her criticism only made the situation more difficult.
3. He shouldn’t have continued to play with his injury.
4. She was afraid that her comments would make the situation worse.

Answer Key:

1. The stress of the job reaggravated his back pain.
2. Her criticism only aggravated the situation.
3. He shouldn’t have continued to play and reaggravate his injury.
4. She was afraid that her comments would aggravate the already difficult situation.

By practicing these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of reaggravate and aggravate in sentences. Remember, reaggravate means to make a previous condition worse, while aggravate means to make a current situation worse. Keep these definitions in mind as you continue to use these words in your writing and speech.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between reaggravate and aggravate, it is clear that these two words have distinct meanings and should be used appropriately in written and spoken language. To summarize, aggravate means to make a situation or problem worse, while reaggravate means to worsen a pre-existing condition or injury.

It is important to note that the word reaggravate is not commonly used in everyday language, and may be seen as unnecessary or redundant by some. However, in medical and legal contexts, the term reaggravate is often used to accurately describe the worsening of a pre-existing condition or injury.

As with any aspect of language and grammar, it is important to continue learning and expanding your knowledge. By understanding the nuances of words like reaggravate and aggravate, you can improve your communication skills and avoid misunderstandings.