diminished state

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "diminished state" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a condition or situation where something has decreased in quality, quantity, or effectiveness. Example: "After the long illness, she found herself in a diminished state, lacking the energy she once had."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

In the novel the dog is more closely identified with the father, who is hurt badly in a mining accident and returns in a severely diminished state.

The New York Times

Now that FEMA is part of a much larger bureaucracy created to counter the threat of terrorism, its role in dealing with natural disasters has been diminished, state emergency management directors, disaster experts and former FEMA officials say.

The New York Times

Were states' rights the primary cause of the conflict, the states should have exploded into open warfare following the Supreme Court's McCulloch v. Maryland decision, which drastically diminished state powers of taxation while increasing those of the federal government.

The New Yorker

In a telephone interview, Mr. DiNapoli said local governments were facing a "perfect storm" of financial pressures — including diminished state aid, falling property values and sluggish collections of sales tax.

The New York Times

For people who do not want to be kept alive in a greatly diminished state, there is a new sense of urgency, said Barbara Coombs Lee, president of the Compassion in Dying Federation, a group in Portland, Ore., that favors greater latitude for people to make end-of-life choices, including doctor-assisted suicide.

The New York Times - Health

The Lars Homestead is the actual building used during the filming of Star Wars and it still exists – in a considerably diminished state – in Tunisia.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

It is no longer clear that they are the world's two finest fighters, as was taken for granted five years ago.Even in their slightly diminished states, however, the matchup should provide an unusually compelling spectacle.

The Economist

Details would have to be worked out, he said, but he added that the deal was a reasonable alternative in a time of diminishing state money.

The New York Times

With diminishing state support for our university, the Patterson Fund will significantly assist the EECS Department to handle the enormous challenges caused by the explosive growth in computer science course enrollments, caused by the tremendous interest of students for instruction in the field.

University of California, Berkeley

Francesco Bianchi, the government commissioner sent in to rescue Florence's Maggio Musicale Opera house, agrees that the piecemeal nature of funding, based on a range of diminishing state, regional and municipal grants and limited corporate sponsorship, had made the situation very difficult for Italian opera houses.

Independent

In general, the law across Europe is secular, and churches play a small and diminishing state role.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "diminished state", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being diminished, such as physical health, financial resources, or political power. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid overusing "diminished state" as a generic term for any negative situation. Instead, reserve it for contexts where there's a clear and measurable decline from a previous, better condition. For other negative situation look for alternatives like "difficult situation" or "adverse circumstances".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "diminished state" functions as a noun phrase, where "diminished" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "state". It describes a condition that has undergone a reduction in quality, quantity, or effectiveness. As Ludwig AI underlines, it is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

29%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "diminished state" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes a condition of decline or reduction. While not overly frequent, it appears across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what aspect is diminished and consider alternatives like "weakened condition" or "reduced capacity" for nuanced expression. Avoiding overuse and maintaining precision will enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weakened condition

Focuses on the reduced strength or health of something.

reduced capacity

Highlights a decrease in the ability to perform or function.

impaired status

Emphasizes a compromised or damaged condition.

declining situation

Suggests an ongoing process of deterioration.

deteriorated condition

Implies a worsening of the state or quality.

failing health

Specifically refers to a decline in physical well-being.

lessened intensity

Indicates a reduction in force, strength or degree.

subdued form

Suggests a quieter, less active state.

waning influence

Focuses on a decrease in power or authority.

compromised integrity

Highlights a reduction in soundness or completeness.

FAQs

How can I use "diminished state" in a sentence?

You can use "diminished state" to describe something that has decreased in quality, quantity, or effectiveness. For example, "After the budget cuts, the library found itself in a diminished state."

What are some alternatives to "diminished state"?

Alternatives to "diminished state" include "weakened condition", "reduced capacity", or "impaired status" depending on the specific context.

Is "diminished state" formal or informal language?

"Diminished state" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, such as news reports, academic papers, and professional communications. Using more informal words like bad, weak, worse may be acceptable based on the kind of communication.

What is the difference between "diminished state" and "ruined state"?

"Diminished state" implies a reduction or weakening, whereas "ruined state" suggests complete destruction or irreparable damage. The former indicates a decline, while the latter signifies total failure.