damage the credibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "damage the credibility" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing actions or statements that undermine trust or reliability in a person, organization, or piece of information. Example: "The recent scandal has the potential to damage the credibility of the entire organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A failure in Afghanistan would damage the credibility of Nato.

The Guardian

And failure would damage the credibility of the World Trade Organization itself.

The New York Times

The DfE is said to fear that erratic marking could damage the credibility of the exams.

The Guardian

The episode could damage the credibility of the Independence Party, which has made impressive electoral gains.

The New York Times

PCC elections don't have to have embarrassingly low turnouts which damage the credibility and legitimacy of the very institution.

The Guardian

The perception was that failing at trivial challenges might damage the credibility of a serious journalist or actor.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The move is clearly needed, but it will benefit no one and could damage the credibility of U.N. peacekeeping efforts elsewhere if the troops continue to be ineffectual.

The New York Times

Classified government briefings have been held in recent weeks in response to a brewing controversy that some officials worry could damage the credibility of legitimate intelligence-gathering efforts.

The New York Times

"We don't want to give the NFL. a toehold to say, 'They are making it up,' and damage the credibility of the movie," Landesman told the Times.

The Guardian - Film

The ban will also further damage the credibility of the IOC and its president, Thomas Bach, who has close links to Putin.

The Guardian - Sport

He told BBC News: "I don't see how one mistake in a 3,000-page 3,000-page damage the creportlity of the overall report.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "damage the credibility", ensure that the context clearly establishes who or what is losing credibility and the specific actions or events causing the damage. This provides clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the extent of the damage. Instead of saying something "completely destroys the credibility", which may not be accurate, use milder terms that represent the actual impact, such as "significantly harms the credibility" or "casts doubt on the credibility".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "damage the credibility" functions as a verb phrase where "damage" is a transitive verb and "the credibility" serves as the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct and commonly employed across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "damage the credibility" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression, especially in news and media, to describe actions or events that undermine trust and believability. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. Common alternatives include "undermine the credibility" and "harm the credibility". When employing this phrase, it's crucial to provide clear context and avoid exaggeration to maintain accuracy and impact. Understanding its nuances and proper application enhances effective communication, particularly in discussions concerning reputation and reliability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undermine the credibility

Focuses on weakening the foundation of believability, not necessarily causing outright damage.

harm the credibility

Emphasizes causing injury or detriment to the level of trust.

erode the credibility

Highlights a gradual wearing away of trust over time.

weaken the credibility

Indicates a reduction in the strength or solidity of believability.

tarnish the reputation

Shifts the focus to overall public image rather than just believability.

compromise the integrity

Highlights a violation of moral principles.

jeopardize the reputation

Indicates putting reputation at risk.

discredit the reputation

Focuses on casting doubt on one's good name.

impair the reliability

Concerns a reduction in the level of confidence and dependability.

call into question the trustworthiness

Directly challenges the level of trust one can afford.

FAQs

How can I use "damage the credibility" in a sentence?

You can use "damage the credibility" to describe an action or event that harms someone or something's believability. For example, "The scandal could "damage the credibility" of the organization".

What are some alternatives to "damage the credibility"?

Alternatives include "undermine the credibility", "harm the credibility", or "erode the credibility" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "damage the credibility" or "undermine the credibility"?

Both "damage the credibility" and "undermine the credibility" are correct, but they imply slightly different effects. "Damage" suggests a more direct and immediate harm, while "undermine" suggests a more gradual weakening.

What kind of events can "damage the credibility" of an organization?

Events that can "damage the credibility" of an organization include scandals, misinformation, ethical breaches, or failures to deliver on promises. Such events erode trust and make the organization appear less reliable.