diminish the value

USAGE SUMMARY

"diminish the value" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to reduce or decrease the worth or importance of something. Example: "The recent scandal has greatly diminished the value of the company's stock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Disapproval could diminish the value of the character.

The New York Times

"Rising interest rates will diminish the value of those bonds".

The New York Times

But Mr. Hampton turned them away, fearing that ads could diminish the value of his research.

The New York Times

This cautionary language, while potentially worrisome, does not diminish the value of the decision.

The New York Times

Did it diminish the value of his deed to accept her gratitude?

The New Yorker

But nothing could diminish the value of those impulses for all of us.

The New Yorker

The plain packaging would severely diminish the value of the company's trademark, Edwards said.

The Guardian

"We didn't have to diminish the value of one to write about the other".

The New York Times

Patent lawyers, however, say the Clinton-Blair proposal does nothing to diminish the value of gene patents.

The New York Times

Albanese on Sunday rejected the notion that Labor's negative gearing policy would diminish the value of the family home.

The Guardian

"I'm not trying to diminish the value of those cultural expressions, but to put them in a conceptual place".

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "diminish the value", ensure the context clearly defines what 'value' is being affected and how. Specificity enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "diminish the value" in contexts where a more precise verb like "reduce", "degrade", or "undermine" would better convey the specific nuance of value reduction. Choose the verb that most accurately reflects the mechanism by which the value is being affected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "diminish the value" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the action of reducing the worth or importance of something. Ludwig examples show it applied to tangible assets like bonds and intangible aspects like a company's trademark. The AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

27%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "diminish the value" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that means to reduce the worth or importance of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate in a wide range of contexts. The phrase appears most often in news and media, as well as in scientific writing. To ensure clarity, specify what kind of value is being diminished. While the phrase is generally neutral, be mindful of more precise verbs like "reduce", "degrade", or "undermine" depending on the specific type of value reduction you intend to express. Top sources that use this phrase include The New York Times, The Guardian and The New Yorker.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decrease the value

Uses a more common synonym "decrease" for "diminish", maintaining a similar level of formality and directness.

reduce the value

Employs "reduce", a simpler and more direct synonym, suggesting a decrease in quantity or degree.

lessen the value

Replaces "diminish" with "lessen", indicating a reduction in amount, degree, or significance.

degrade the value

Substitutes "diminish" with "degrade", implying a reduction in quality or condition, often to a lower level.

undermine the value

Uses "undermine" instead of "diminish", suggesting a weakening or destabilization of the value, often subtly or gradually.

erode the value

Replaces "diminish" with "erode", conveying a gradual wearing away or destruction of value over time.

impair the value

Substitutes "diminish" with "impair", suggesting a weakening or damaging effect on the value.

detract from the value

Replaces "diminish" with "detract from", indicating a reduction in value due to something else that draws attention away.

weaken the value

Uses "weaken" as a substitute for "diminish", suggesting a reduction in strength or effectiveness of the value.

compromise the value

Employs "compromise" instead of "diminish", implying that the value has been put at risk or partially surrendered.

FAQs

How can I use "diminish the value" in a sentence?

You can use "diminish the value" to describe how something reduces the worth or importance of something else, for example: "Rising interest rates can "diminish the value" of bonds."

What phrases are similar to "diminish the value"?

Similar phrases include "decrease the value", "reduce the value", or "lessen the value". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "diminish the value" or "reduce the value"?

"Diminish the value" and "reduce the value" are largely interchangeable. "Diminish" often implies a gradual or subtle reduction, while "reduce" can suggest a more direct or immediate decrease. Choose the one that best fits the context.

Can intangible things have their value diminished?

Yes, "diminish the value" can apply to intangible things like reputation, trust, or morale. For example, a scandal can "diminish the value" of a company's reputation.