degrade the environment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "degrade the environment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe activities or actions that have a negative effect on the environment, such as the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and overfishing. For example: Industrial practices such as burning fossil fuels are known to degrade the environment.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"The more they degrade the environment, the more likely that a jaguar will attack their cattle".

The Guardian

Cars occupy too much space, make too much noise, use too much fuel and degrade the environment.

The New York Times

During the Soviet period, rapid industrialization, intensive farming, and a lack of effective pollution controls combined to seriously degrade the environment in Ukraine.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We are obligated, they stress, not to make the earth uninhabitable or to degrade the environment in which our descendants will live.

The New York Times

Weak taxation and deregulation make it possible and profitable for multinationals to exploit farmland in the developing world in ways that undercut and marginalise local small-scale farmers, degrade the environment they rely on, and exacerbate hunger.

The Guardian

Our aim is not to trade poverty reduction for the environment, but to ensure that palm oil cultivation is done in a way that is sustainable and does not degrade the environment.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

"Birdbrain" sold weapons, manipulated markets, degraded the environment and so on.

The New York Times - Books

A total of 33,000 wild horses are degrading the environment, but around 3 million to 4 million cattle are not?

The New York Times

"In the 300 years since white people have been in Connecticut, we've degraded the environment, we've clear-cut the trees and polluted the waterways.

The New York Times

The concentrated system degrades the environment, directly and indirectly, while torturing animals and producing tainted meat, poultry, eggs, and, more recently, fish.

The New York Times

One possibility is that growth will continue, at a pace fast enough to ensure that however degraded the environment our descendents are better off than we are.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing environmental issues, use "degrade the environment" to specifically highlight actions that reduce the quality or health of the environment over time. It emphasizes a gradual decline rather than sudden destruction.

Common error

Avoid using "degrade the environment" when the situation involves immediate and complete destruction. Instead, reserve "degrade" for scenarios where the environment's condition gradually worsens, while using "destroy the environment" for instances of total obliteration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "degrade the environment" functions as a verb phrase where "degrade" is the verb indicating a reduction in quality or condition and "the environment" is the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is usable and correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "degrade the environment" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe the negative impact on the natural world. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media and scientific contexts, with a neutral register suitable for a broad audience. When writing about environmental issues, this phrase effectively conveys the gradual decline in the quality and health of the environment. Consider using alternatives such as "harm the environment" or "damage the environment" for slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Damage the environment

A more general term for causing harm.

Harm the environment

Similar to 'damage', but can imply a more serious effect.

Pollute the environment

Specifically refers to introducing contaminants.

Contaminate the environment

Similar to 'pollute', emphasizing the introduction of unwanted substances.

Despoil the environment

Implies a more severe and destructive impact.

Ruin the environment

Suggests complete destruction or irreversible damage.

Destroy the environment

Indicates complete obliteration or devastation.

Impoverish the environment

Focuses on reducing the richness or quality of the environment.

Adversely affect the environment

A more formal way of saying 'negatively impact'.

Negatively impact the environment

A more direct and neutral way to phrase the action.

FAQs

How can I use "degrade the environment" in a sentence?

You can use "degrade the environment" to describe actions that negatively impact the natural world. For instance, "Industrial emissions can significantly "degrade the environment" over time."

What is a good alternative to "degrade the environment"?

Alternatives include "harm the environment", "damage the environment", or "pollute the environment", depending on the specific type of negative impact you want to emphasize.

Is it correct to say "degraded the environment"?

Yes, "degraded the environment" is correct. It is the past tense form, used to describe an action that has already happened: "The oil spill "degraded the environment" significantly."

What's the difference between "degrade the environment" and ""destroy the environment""?

"Degrade the environment" suggests a gradual decline in environmental quality, while ""destroy the environment"" implies a more immediate and complete obliteration.