being undermined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being undermined" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone's authority, confidence, or position is being weakened or sabotaged. Example: "The team's morale is suffering because their efforts are constantly being undermined by negative feedback."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

My position is being undermined".

Independent

But now it is being undermined.

Independent

Their education is being undermined.

The Guardian

"The piers were being undermined.

The New York Times

The tissue-thin national economic recovery is being undermined.

The New York Times

"All of their confidence and determination is being undermined".

The New York Times

Other provisions are being undermined by states that dislike them.

The Economist

Those goals are being undermined by cynical maneuvers.

The New York Times

It was awkward throughout, you felt you were being undermined.

Independent

Right now, this ethos is being undermined from all directions.

The New York Times

High-street stores will complain about being undermined.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "being undermined", ensure the context clearly indicates what is losing strength or effectiveness and what is causing this decline.

Common error

Avoid vagueness by specifying what factor or entity is contributing to the undermining. Without this clarity, the sentence lacks precision and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being undermined" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject is receiving the action of being weakened or subverted, often by an external force. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples from diverse contexts, illustrating its versatile application.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "being undermined" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe the weakening or subversion of something. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what is losing strength and what is causing the decline. Alternatives include "getting weakened" and "becoming destabilized", each with slightly different nuances. Overall, understanding these guidelines will help ensure that you use "being undermined" accurately and effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

getting weakened

Focuses on the process of becoming less strong or effective.

becoming destabilized

Emphasizes a loss of stability or equilibrium.

getting subverted

Highlights the act of overturning or corrupting something.

getting eroded

Implies a gradual wearing away or diminishing of something.

being jeopardized

Focuses on the risk or danger to something.

facing obstruction

Indicates that progress or effectiveness is being blocked.

undergoing devaluation

Focuses on a reduction in worth or importance.

experiencing setbacks

Highlights the occurrence of problems that delay or prevent progress.

getting sabotaged

Implies intentional disruption or destruction.

becoming threatened

Emphasizes the feeling or state of being at risk.

FAQs

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

Use "being undermined" to describe situations where something, such as authority, confidence, or a system, is gradually weakened or sabotaged. For example, "The team's morale is "being undermined" by constant criticism."

What are some alternatives to "being undermined"?

Depending on the specific nuance you want to convey, you can use alternatives like "getting weakened", "becoming destabilized", or "getting subverted".

Is it correct to use "being undermined" in formal writing?

Yes, "being undermined" is grammatically correct and appropriate for formal writing. It's often found in news articles, academic papers, and business reports.

What's the difference between "being undermined" and "being weakened"?

"Being weakened" generally implies a reduction in strength or effectiveness, while "being undermined" suggests a more deliberate or insidious process of weakening, often involving sabotage or subversion. "The foundation was "being weakened" by the flood", whereas "His authority was "being undermined" by his rivals".