detract

USAGE SUMMARY

'detract' is a correct and commonly-used word in written English.
It is a verb that means to reduce the value or reputation of something. Example: His negative comments about my work detract from my professional reputation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A spokeswoman for the organisers said: "The action of under 1% of the crowd should not be allowed to detract from a very successful weekend".

The Guardian

But they don't in any way detract from the value of other projects or the volunteer programme as a whole.

The Guardian

"No amount of confected outrage from Bill Shorten, Labor and the Greens can detract from the fact that he is too weak to repair the budget mess Labor left behind," Cormann said.

The Guardian

However, these foolish examples should not detract from the advantages of providing firsthand assistance to vulnerable populations in whatever capacity possible.

The Guardian

They trade with us because we are a good trading partner and nothing that has happened in the last couple of days could detract from that".

The Guardian

"Murray Group fully intends to make further detailed press comment on the wider circumstances at Rangers once it considers this will not detract from or interfere with the difficult and delicate work of the administration.

The Guardian - Sport

A spokesman for the environment minister, Greg Hunt, told Guardian Australia the delisting sought to remove areas from the world heritage extension that the government considers "detract from the overall outstanding universal value of the property and diminish its overall integrity".

The Guardian

"It would be tantamount to undermining our own national interests because it would detract from our own campaign against extremism and terrorism".

The Guardian

But its trendy interior and cool crowd don't detract from the fact that the food is exquisite.

The Guardian - Travel

Officials in the capital, Abuja, are keen to pass off the "extremism designed to keep girls back" as a global issue, perhaps to detract from the fact that their troops have failed to contain the insurgency.Schooling in the worst-affected parts of the country has become almost impossible.

The Economist

But this does not detract from his main point: oil has damaged the countries it comes from.Oil companies are not particularly greedy; after all, as Mr Maass notes, Apple does not exactly give away its iPods, but sells them at the highest price it can.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "detract", ensure that the subject performing the action is clearly identified, and the object being diminished is also explicit. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "detract" when you intend to express complete negation or destruction. "Detract" implies a reduction in value or quality, not total removal. Use words like "eliminate" or "nullify" for complete negation.

Linguistic Context

The verb "detract" primarily functions to express a reduction in value, quality, or importance. According to Ludwig AI, the word is considered correct and commonly used in written English. It connects a cause (the detracting element) with its negative effect on something else.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "detract" is a versatile verb that signifies a reduction in value, quality, or importance. According to Ludwig AI, the word is grammatically correct and commonly used. It appears frequently in news and formal writing, indicating its wide applicability in conveying negative impacts or consequences. When employing "detract", clarity is key. Ensure the subject and object of the action are well-defined to avoid ambiguity. Remember that "detract" implies a reduction, not a complete removal, differentiating it from stronger terms like "eliminate". Finally, consider the context and choose alternatives like "diminish", "undermine" or "lessen" to express similar meanings with varying degrees of intensity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take away from

Focuses on the action of removing something positive, which can diminish the overall quality.

diminish the impact

Emphasizes lessening the effect or influence something has.

undermine the value

Highlights the act of weakening or destabilizing the worth of something.

lessen the effect

Directly indicates a reduction in the strength or degree of an outcome.

reduce the significance

Points to a decrease in the importance or noteworthiness of something.

degrade the quality

Refers to a decline in the standard or excellence of something.

cheapen the effect

Implies making something seem less valuable or significant.

tarnish the reputation

Indicates damage to someone's or something's good name or image.

erode the importance

Suggests a gradual wearing away of something's significance.

compromise the integrity

Focuses on the action of weakening or violating the honesty or moral principles of something.

FAQs

How to use "detract" in a sentence?

You can use "detract" to indicate that something takes away from the value or quality of something else. For example, "His constant complaining began to "detract" from the team's morale".

What can I say instead of "detract"?

Alternatives to "detract" include "diminish", "undermine", or "lessen", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Which is correct, "detract from" or "detract to"?

"Detract" is typically followed by "from". The phrase "detract to" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided.

What's the difference between "detract" and "distract"?

"Detract" means to reduce the value or reputation of something, while "distract" means to divert someone's attention. They have completely different meanings and are not interchangeable.