depress confidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "depress confidence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing factors or situations that undermine or reduce someone's confidence. Example: "The constant criticism from her peers began to depress her confidence, making it difficult for her to perform well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

As if the blow from the financial crisis were not enough, he managed to depress confidence even further.

The Guardian - Business

The outlook for the world economy and UK exports has deteriorated and we expect the difficulties of the euro area to depress confidence and put upward pressure on bank funding costs for longer.

The Guardian

Increasing the extinction rate in the DEC analysis served to depress confidence in the estimated ancestral ranges for all nodes, considering both the relative likelihood of the best reconstructed range pair and the relative likelihood of the individual ranges at nodes.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

THE possibility of war with Iraq and of new terrorist attacks is also depressing confidence levels, said Delos Smith, senior business analyst for the Conference Board, a nonprofit group that assesses consumer confidence each month.

The New York Times

The UK economy could, however, be knocked by weaker growth in its export markets, especially the euro area, and depressed confidence brought on by the protracted sovereign debt crisis.

The Guardian - Business

The chancellor's decision to accelerate spending cuts and raise VAT had "depressed confidence" and "choked off our recovery", Mr Balls argued.

BBC

Investors dumping stocks and fleeing to cash might depress business confidence and depress the wealth effect of the recent run-up, for instance.

The New York Times

A day after agreeing a $17.1bn loan, the IMF issued a staff report which states that Ukraine faces "unprecedented risks", adding: The unfolding developments in the East and tense relations with Russia could severely disrupt bilateral trade and depress investment confidence for a considerable period of time, thus worsening the economic outlook.

The Guardian - Business

The likely bursting of the Chinese stock market bubble will probably depress consumer confidence and spending as well as business investment.

Forbes

"Cutters" argue that large fiscal deficits threaten long-term fiscal credibility and depress private confidence and spending.

Huffington Post

Mr. Gault said that in such a case the economy would be under a cloud of "extreme uncertainty," alarming investors, depressing consumer confidence and hurting businesses.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic factors, use "depress confidence" to describe how specific events or policies negatively affect market sentiment or investor optimism.

Common error

While "depress confidence" is grammatically correct, avoid using it in casual conversation. Simpler alternatives like "lower" or "reduce" are often more appropriate in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "depress confidence" functions as a verb phrase where "depress" acts as a transitive verb, taking "confidence" as its direct object. As shown by Ludwig, it describes an action that reduces or weakens confidence levels.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "depress confidence" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes the act of reducing or weakening confidence. According to Ludwig, it’s appropriate in various contexts, especially when discussing economic factors or psychological states. While "depress confidence" is not extremely common, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. Alternatives such as "undermine confidence" or "reduce confidence" can be used depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey. Overall, ensure its usage aligns with the context, avoiding overly casual settings where simpler terms might be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undermine confidence

Focuses on weakening the foundation of confidence.

reduce confidence

Directly indicates a decrease in the level of confidence.

lower confidence

Implies bringing confidence to a lesser degree.

diminish confidence

Suggests a gradual reduction in confidence.

erode confidence

Implies a gradual wearing away of confidence over time.

sap confidence

Suggests draining away confidence.

shake confidence

Indicates causing doubt or uncertainty in one's confidence.

weaken confidence

Highlights the act of making confidence less strong.

destroy confidence

Implies completely ruining confidence.

damage confidence

Signifies causing harm or impairment to confidence.

FAQs

How can I use "depress confidence" in a sentence?

You can use "depress confidence" to describe something that lowers or weakens confidence, for example: "The economic downturn can "depress confidence" among consumers and businesses."

What are some alternatives to "depress confidence"?

Alternatives include "undermine confidence", "reduce confidence", or "lower confidence". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "depressed confidence"?

While "depressed confidence" can be used to describe a state of low confidence, "depress confidence" describes the action of something causing that state. The choice depends on whether you are describing a state or an action.

What factors can "depress confidence" in the economy?

Factors that can "depress confidence" in the economy include political instability, high unemployment rates, and negative economic forecasts.