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Grammar fix

mounting pressure

increasing pressure (collocation)

a situation where the amount of pressure, stress, or demands is steadily growing, often making it harder to cope or respond.

collocationC1occasional

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • There is mounting pressure on the government to address the rising cost of living.work
  • Many students face mounting pressure to achieve high grades, especially as exams approach.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: mounting pressure (on someone/to do something)

WrongHe felt a mounting pressure.

RightHe felt mounting pressure. / He was under mounting pressure.

'Pressure' here is uncountable — no 'a'.

Patternmounting pressure (on someone/to do something)

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff There is a progressively intensifying degree of pressure on the minister.

Natural The minister is under mounting pressure.

'Mounting pressure' is the natural news collocation; the spelled-out version is clunky.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • mounting pressure + on/to
    on the governmentto resignto actfrom voters

Don't confuse it

Unlike 'under pressure' (which means experiencing stress), 'mounting pressure' emphasizes that the stress or demands are increasing, not just present.

Try it in Daily Speak →