be diminished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be diminished" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used in a passive construction, such as "to be diminished by" or "to be diminished to." It means to become smaller, weaker, or less significant. Example: The importance of this issue should not be diminished by political debates.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Would their beauty be diminished?

The New Yorker

It will be diminished militarily.

The Economist

Our influence would be diminished.

Independent

Services may be diminished.

The New York Times

Their leverage would surely be diminished.

The New York Times - Sports

Would their artistic merit be diminished?

The New Yorker

Without them, their stature would be diminished.

The New York Times

And their power will be diminished".

The Guardian - Music

Will his authority really be diminished?

The Guardian - Sport

Thus his position would be diminished.

The Guardian - Sport

This can be diminished by courteous or passive driving habits.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be diminished", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what is being diminished and what is causing the reduction. For example, "The impact of the new policy will be diminished if not properly enforced."

Common error

While "be diminished" is often used in passive constructions, overuse can make your writing sound weak or indirect. Consider whether an active voice construction would be more impactful. For example, instead of "The problem will be diminished by these efforts", try "These efforts will diminish the problem".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be diminished" functions primarily as a passive verb phrase. It indicates a state of being reduced or lessened. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is typically used in passive constructions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be diminished" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to convey a reduction in size, importance, or strength. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly found in passive constructions. The analysis reveals that it frequently appears in news and media sources, as well as in scientific contexts. To enhance your writing, ensure clarity regarding what is being diminished and the cause of the reduction. While "be diminished" is generally appropriate, avoid overusing passive voice for a more impactful style. Alternatives such as "be reduced" or "be lessened" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be reduced

Focuses on the action of making something smaller in size or amount.

be lessened

Emphasizes a decrease in degree, intensity, or severity.

be weakened

Highlights a loss of strength or power.

be decreased

Similar to "be reduced", but may imply a gradual decline.

be undermined

Suggests a weakening or destabilization, often subtly.

be impaired

Indicates a loss of function or effectiveness.

be eroded

Implies a gradual wearing away or decline.

be curtailed

Refers to a restriction or limitation.

be attenuated

Denotes a reduction in force, effect, or value.

be downplayed

Suggests an attempt to make something seem less important or significant.

FAQs

How can I use "be diminished" in a sentence?

The phrase "be diminished" is used to indicate that something is reduced in size, importance, or intensity. For example, "The value of the investment will be diminished by inflation" or "His authority was be diminished after the scandal".

What are some alternatives to "be diminished"?

You can use alternatives such as "be reduced", "be lessened", or "be weakened" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "be diminished" instead of "decrease"?

"Be diminished" is typically used in a passive construction to describe something that has been made smaller or less significant, while "decrease" is an active verb indicating the action of reducing something. For example, "The number of employees will decrease next year" versus "The company's profits will be diminished if sales decline".

Is it better to use "be diminished" or "become diminished"?

Both "be diminished" and "become diminished" are grammatically correct, but "be diminished" is more concise and commonly used, especially in formal writing. "Become diminished" may be preferred when emphasizing the process of something decreasing over time.