erodes

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "erodes" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the gradual destruction of a surface or material due to elements such as wind, water, or ice. For example, "The coastline of this beach has been eroding over time due to strong ocean winds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This erodes the city's sense of place, the film-makers argue.

The Guardian

When the forest is cut away and replaced by farms or ranches, the fragile Amazon soil erodes and eventually becomes exhausted.

The Guardian

They have also said that the covert operation to spy erodes free speech and the freedom to protest.

The Guardian

As someone who cares passionately about engaging the public in a debate about science, my greatest sadness is that in the absence of evidence, implying that bias exists and that there has been wrongdoing by scientists simply erodes trust and confidence in research and is a disservice to the public.

The Guardian - Opinion

Obama's aggressive rhetoric and military action in Pakistan not only leaves collateral damage in the form of civilian casualties – such as the six Pakistani children killed in a recent drone attack – it also erodes trust and confidence in the US government and its intentions.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is worrying as it erodes people's confidence in the justice system, and, limits the access to, and quality of justice.

The Guardian

They're right about that: an undervalued currency promotes inflation, erodes the real wages of Chinese workers and squanders Chinese resources.

The New York Times

Insofar as yuan settlement replaces this dollar outflow with a yuan outflow, it erodes one of China's few channels for easing the pressure on its currency.

The Economist

E-mail's immediacy also erodes the sense of personal distance.

The Economist

This gradually erodes the market for dealing heroin for profit; as they say in the tech world, you can't compete with free.

The Economist

The subterfuge of repeatedly "finding" the law in the constitution seriously erodes the public's confidence in government's legitimacy.Your flirtation with Mr Dworkin's elitist theories suggests that you are susceptible to anti-democratic and Utopian blarney.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "erodes" when you want to describe a gradual wearing away or weakening of something, whether physical or abstract. For instance, "The constant criticism erodes their confidence."

Common error

Don't use "erodes" when the context implies chemical or electrochemical decay. "Corrodes" is more appropriate in such cases. For example, use "acid corrodes metal", not "acid erodes metal".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "erodes" is that of a verb, specifically the third-person singular present tense form. As Ludwig's examples demonstrate, it describes an action where something is gradually worn away or diminished. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "erodes" is a grammatically sound verb used to describe the gradual wearing away or weakening of something. As validated by Ludwig AI, the term appears frequently in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts, suggesting a versatile usage. When using "erodes", be mindful to distinguish it from "corrodes", which implies chemical decay. For alternative phrasing, consider "wears away", "diminishes", or "undermines", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use "erodes" when describing the slow and steady diminishing of an object or concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wears away

Focuses more on the physical process of abrasion or attrition.

diminishes

Emphasizes a reduction in size, importance, or quality.

undermines

Suggests a weakening of support or foundation.

weakens

Implies a reduction in strength or effectiveness.

attenuates

Highlights a lessening of intensity or force.

corrodes

Specifically refers to chemical or electrochemical deterioration.

degrades

Signifies a decline in quality or moral character.

impairs

Indicates a functional reduction or damage.

lessens

General term for a reduction in amount or degree.

eats away at

Emphasizes a slow, destructive process.

FAQs

How can I use "erodes" in a sentence?

Use "erodes" to describe the gradual wearing away or weakening of something. For example, "The constant negativity "erodes" trust within the team."

What are some synonyms for "erodes"?

Alternatives to "erodes" include "wears away", "diminishes", or "undermines" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "erodes confidence"?

Yes, it's correct. "Erodes confidence" accurately conveys the gradual weakening or destruction of someone's confidence. A similar phrase would be to say "undermines confidence".

What's the difference between "erodes" and "corrodes"?

"Erodes" generally refers to the gradual wearing away by natural forces or abstract means, while "corrodes" specifically refers to chemical or electrochemical decay. For example, water "erodes" rock, while acid "corrodes" metal.