already undermined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "already undermined" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been weakened or damaged prior to the current moment or context. Example: "The company's reputation has already undermined its ability to attract new clients."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

E-mail has already undermined corporate hierarchies and rigid business processes.

The Economist

That litigation overhang already undermined an attempted transaction with Deloitte earlier this year.

The New York Times

At the behest of the Twitter board, and with Dorsey's help, he had already undermined the C.E.O.

The New York Times - Magazine

His decision before the election not to outline details of a plebiscite already undermined claims to a mandate.

The Guardian - Opinion

He had already undermined the public financing system for presidential campaigns by refusing to use it in 2008, but this is much worse.

The New York Times

And sovereign creditworthiness already undermined or potentially challenged by the cost of bank bail out.Breaking that interrelationship requires a number of things, Lord Turner argues.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Technology is already undermining the economics of traditional journalism.

The New York Times

That threat is already undermining Britain's position.

The Guardian - Opinion

The controversial deal is already undermining confidence in the world's anti-nuclear rules.

The Economist

Austerity is already undermining economic growth on both sides of the Atlantic.

The New York Times

Hainan province and Shanghai have followed suit.Economic change is already undermining the government's efforts to enforce the policy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "already undermined" to clearly indicate that a weakening or compromising action has occurred before the current situation or discussion. It helps to establish a cause-and-effect relationship in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "already undermined" when the impact is only potential or uncertain. This phrase implies a definite and realized weakening, not just a possibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "already undermined" functions as a verb phrase where 'undermined' is the main verb in the past participle form, and 'already' is an adverb modifying the verb. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "already undermined" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something has been weakened or compromised prior to the present moment. As confirmed by Ludwig, it appears most frequently in News & Media sources. When using the phrase, ensure that the weakening has indeed occurred, as opposed to being merely a potential outcome. Consider using synonyms like "previously weakened" or "already compromised" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously weakened

Replaces "already" with "previously", emphasizing the temporal aspect of the weakening.

already compromised

Substitutes "undermined" with "compromised", focusing on the loss of integrity or effectiveness.

effectively ruined

Replaces "undermined" with "ruined", suggesting a more complete or devastating impact.

largely destroyed

Emphasizes the destructive aspect of the undermining, implying significant damage.

significantly impaired

Focuses on the reduction in function or ability due to the undermining.

seriously jeopardized

Highlights the risk and uncertainty introduced by the undermining.

substantially weakened

Replaces "undermined" with "weakened", adding the qualifier "substantially" for emphasis.

fatally flawed

Implies the undermining has introduced a critical flaw, potentially leading to failure.

been eroded previously

Changes the verb and includes the word "previously" suggesting a gradual decline.

had already destabilized

Shifts the focus to destabilization as the consequence of the prior action.

FAQs

How can I use "already undermined" in a sentence?

You can use "already undermined" to indicate that something has been weakened or compromised. For example, "The company's reputation was "already undermined" by the scandal."

What are some alternatives to "already undermined"?

Some alternatives to "already undermined" include "previously weakened", "already compromised", or "effectively ruined" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "already undermined" or should I use a different tense?

The phrase "already undermined" is grammatically correct in the past participle form. The appropriateness of the tense depends on the context of your sentence.

What is the difference between "already undermined" and "potentially undermined"?

"Already undermined" indicates a completed action that has weakened something. "Potentially undermined" suggests that something may be weakened in the future, but it hasn't happened yet.