a debilitating effect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a debilitating effect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an impact that severely weakens or hinders someone or something. Example: "The illness had a debilitating effect on her ability to work, leaving her exhausted and unable to focus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

But overnight success had a debilitating effect.

Independent

They controlled no district centers, they were able to execute high visibility attacks which causes a psychological effect, that has a debilitating effect.

The Washington Post

The executive director of the North Flatbush Avenue Business Improvement District in Brooklyn, Richard Russo, said that the fee would have a "debilitating" effect on his small group, whose annual budget of $93,000 is not enough to cover extra security or street lamps.

The New York Times

Haidermota agrees that over-analysis can have a debilitating effect.

Vice

Effects of conflict Sporadic outbreaks of conflict and the displacement of tens of thousands of people from Dongo have had a debilitating effect.

Unicef

This has a debilitating effect on society.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

At a time of low morale, this can have a further debilitating effect on staff.

The Guardian

At a time of low morale in the Prison Service, this can have a further debilitating effect on staff.

The Guardian

A direct debilitating effect of the autoantibodies is unlikely, since only several re-immunizations induce the onset of the disease and the presence of antibodies does not directly correlate with salivary gland dysfunction [5].

Plosone

Severe degeneration of the intervertebral disc has an immensely debilitating effect on quality of life that has become a serious health and economic burden throughout the world.

Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials

The demise of a succession of senior al-Qaida figures is certain to have at least a near-term debilitating effect on the group," the official said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a debilitating effect", ensure the context clearly identifies what is being weakened or impaired. Specificity enhances the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a debilitating effect" when the impact is only mildly negative. Reserve this phrase for situations involving significant impairment or weakening.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a debilitating effect" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It describes the result of something that weakens or impairs, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a debilitating effect" is a commonly used phrase to describe a significant weakening or impairing consequence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for various contexts, including news, science, and formal business communications. While alternatives like "a weakening effect" or "a crippling impact" exist, it's crucial to use "a debilitating effect" when the impact is notably severe. Its frequency across authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its relevance and importance in conveying substantial negative consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a crippling impact

Emphasizes the severity of the effect, suggesting something is severely limited.

a weakening effect

Focuses more on the reduction of strength rather than overall impairment.

a detrimental influence

Indicates harm or disadvantage caused by something.

a damaging effect

Highlights the harm caused, but not necessarily a long-term weakening.

a severe impairment

Focuses specifically on the reduction or loss of function.

a harmful impact

Broader term, indicating negative consequences without specifying the degree of impairment.

a severe limitation

Focuses on restricting abilities or opportunities.

an adverse consequence

Focuses on the negative result or outcome of something.

a destructive influence

Highlights the potential for ruin or demolition.

a ruinous consequence

Highlights catastrophic results.

FAQs

How can I use "a debilitating effect" in a sentence?

Use "a debilitating effect" to describe something that weakens or impairs. For example, "The disease had "a debilitating effect" on his mobility."

What are some alternatives to "a debilitating effect"?

You can use alternatives such as "a weakening effect", "a damaging effect", or "a crippling impact", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "a debilitating effect" and "a detrimental effect"?

"A debilitating effect" implies a weakening or impairment, while "a detrimental effect" simply means something is harmful or disadvantageous. The former is stronger and more specific.

Is it always negative to describe something as having "a debilitating effect"?

Yes, describing something as having ""a debilitating effect"" inherently implies a negative impact, as it suggests that something is being weakened or impaired in a significant way.