attempts to undermine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempts to undermine" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or efforts aimed at weakening or damaging something, such as authority, credibility, or a system. Example: "The article suggests that the new policy attempts to undermine the existing regulations in place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We will not tolerate attempts to undermine our democracy".

The Guardian

Subtle and crass attempts to undermine it should not prevail.

The Guardian - Opinion

Jeremy Corbyn has strongly criticised foreign attempts to undermine Maduro.

The Guardian

Mr. Obama said: "I won't accept any attempts to undermine the independence of this agency.

The New York Times

This set the stage for unending Republican attempts to undermine all of his policies.

The New York Times

But the party must not be distracted by cynical attempts to undermine Corbyn's leadership.

Independent

Other more liberal party members support the coalition and have criticised any attempts to undermine it.

The Economist

His attempts to undermine safe childcare ratios are, thankfully, now in disarray.

The Guardian - Opinion

On Tuesday Obama promised to use his veto on any domestic attempts to undermine the deal.

The Guardian

(Jeffrey Toobin wrote yesterday about Republican attempts to undermine voting rights in this way).

The New Yorker

The picture above marks one of a number of attempts to undermine Lowell's claims.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attempts to undermine", ensure the subject performing the attempts and the object being undermined are clearly identified to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "attempts to undermine" is a valid phrase, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "efforts to sabotage" or "moves to destabilize" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempts to undermine" functions as a noun phrase acting as the subject or object of a verb, describing actions aimed at weakening or damaging something. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "attempts to undermine" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe actions intended to weaken or damage something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When using the phrase, ensure clarity regarding who is attempting to undermine what. While versatile, consider using synonyms like "efforts to sabotage" or "moves to destabilize" to avoid repetition. Over all, "attempts to undermine" remains a powerful and relevant expression for describing actions with negative intent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

efforts to sabotage

Emphasizes a more deliberate and destructive intent.

endeavors to weaken

Highlights the action of diminishing strength or effectiveness.

moves to destabilize

Suggests actions aimed at disrupting stability or equilibrium.

schemes to discredit

Focuses on damaging the reputation or credibility.

actions to counteract

Implies efforts to neutralize or negate an effect.

plans to subvert

Highlights a clandestine or underhanded approach to weakening.

strategies to erode

Suggests a gradual process of wearing away or diminishing.

tactics to impair

Focuses on reducing functionality or effectiveness.

operations to neutralize

Emphasizes rendering something ineffective or harmless.

campaigns to challenge

Highlights a direct confrontation aimed at diminishing authority.

FAQs

How can I use "attempts to undermine" in a sentence?

You can use "attempts to undermine" to describe actions taken to weaken something. For example, "The opposition party accused the government of making "attempts to undermine" the democratic process".

What are some alternative phrases to "attempts to undermine"?

Alternatives include "efforts to sabotage", "endeavors to weaken", or "moves to destabilize", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "attempts to undermine" or "tries to undermine"?

"Attempts to undermine" is generally more formal and emphasizes a sustained effort, while "tries to undermine" can imply a single, perhaps less organized, effort. The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

What's the difference between "attempts to undermine" and "efforts to sabotage"?

While similar, "attempts to undermine" suggests a broader range of actions aimed at weakening, while "efforts to sabotage" implies a more deliberate and destructive intent.