be diminished by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be diminished by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is reduced or lessened as a result of a particular factor or influence. Example: "The quality of the product may be diminished by poor manufacturing practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

This can be diminished by courteous or passive driving habits.

The New Yorker

The risk can be diminished by banning fishing.

The New York Times

To have gravitas means to inhabit your history, and not to be diminished by your losses.

The Guardian - Film

The voices of members of the minority community would also be diminished by four-fifths.

The New York Times

Furthermore, there is the pervasive fear that lifestyle will be diminished by the move.

The New York Times

Nor would it be diminished by a simple tent on the veldt.

The New York Times - Travel

There is some suggestion that IQ scores can be diminished by 13 points.

The Guardian - Opinion

I feel my life and my work will be diminished by his going".

The Guardian - Books

My enthusiasm could never be diminished by a personal gesture or homemade creation.

The New York Times

But the power of Ray's images can't be diminished by scratches or occasional murkiness.

The New York Times

Those whom she touched were lifted by her presence and will be diminished by her absence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be diminished by", ensure that the subject experiencing the diminishing effect is clearly defined and that the cause of the diminishing is explicitly stated to maintain clarity.

Common error

Ensure the cause following "by" is a clear and direct influence on the diminished subject. Vague or indirect causes can weaken the sentence and obscure the intended meaning. For example, instead of saying "The project's success might be diminished by circumstances", be specific: "The project's success might be diminished by lack of funding."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be diminished by" functions as a passive construction indicating causation and reduction. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use. The phrase highlights that a subject's quality, quantity, or impact is lessened due to an identifiable factor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be diminished by" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to express that something is reduced or lessened due to a specific cause. As verified by Ludwig AI, this passive construction is widely used in diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific publications. Its purpose is to explain causation and reduction, and it maintains a neutral register suitable for formal communication. While alternatives such as "be reduced by" and "be lessened by" exist, "be diminished by" often implies a reduction in quality or importance. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure clarity in both the subject experiencing the diminution and the cause of that effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be reduced by

Replaces "diminished" with "reduced", focusing on the decrease in size, extent, or amount.

be lessened by

Substitutes "diminished" with "lessened", highlighting a decrease in significance or intensity.

be decreased by

Emphasizes a numerical or quantifiable reduction.

be weakened by

Focuses on a loss of strength or power.

be impaired by

Suggests a negative impact on functionality or quality.

be undermined by

Implies a gradual or subtle weakening.

be eroded by

Conveys a sense of gradual wearing away or depletion.

be compromised by

Highlights a situation where something is put at risk or made vulnerable.

suffer a setback due to

Expresses that something experiences a reduction because of the event that follows.

be curtailed by

Implies a restriction or limitation imposed by something.

FAQs

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

Use "be diminished by" to show that something is reduced or lessened due to a particular factor. For example, "The team's morale can be diminished by constant criticism."

What are some alternatives to "be diminished by"?

You can use alternatives such as "be reduced by", "be lessened by", or "be weakened by" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "be diminished by" and "be reduced by"?

While both phrases indicate a decrease, "be diminished by" often implies a reduction in quality or importance, whereas "be reduced by" typically refers to a decrease in quantity or size. The best choice depends on the specific context.

Can "be diminished by" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "be diminished by" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a grammatically correct and widely accepted phrase for expressing that something is lessened or reduced due to a specific factor. It can be found in many articles and publications such as academic papers, news reports, and books.