has a debilitating effect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has a debilitating effect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that causes significant harm or weakness, often in a physical or mental context. Example: "The disease has a debilitating effect on the patient's ability to perform daily activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

This has a debilitating effect on society.

The Guardian

"This undermines confidence in the Palestinian Authority's capacity to function, which has a debilitating effect on investor confidence.

The New York Times

Likewise, increasing thermal conductivity of the tumour results in enhanced ablation volume whereas an increase in thermal conductivity of the surrounding normal tissue has a debilitating effect on the ablation volume and vice versa.

Journal of Thermal Biology

Using her own standard, I would describe Coulter as a conservative who "prefer(s) invective to engagement... [who] cheerfully... [uses] hate-mongering and name-calling... except that has a debilitating effect on real issues," Ann.

Huffington Post

Moving on... "...liberals prefer invective to engagement," she writes, "The hate-mongering and name-calling on the left might be a droll irrelevancy, except that it has a debilitating effect on real issues".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But overnight success had a debilitating effect.

Independent

The executive director of the North Flatbush Avenue Business Improvement District in Brooklyn, Richard Russo, said that the fee would have a "debilitating" effect on his small group, whose annual budget of $93,000 is not enough to cover extra security or street lamps.

The New York Times

Haidermota agrees that over-analysis can have a debilitating effect.

Vice

Effects of conflict Sporadic outbreaks of conflict and the displacement of tens of thousands of people from Dongo have had a debilitating effect.

Unicef

His mother has a debilitating stroke.

The New York Times - Books

Uncle Jack has a debilitating head injury.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the impact of a disease or condition, use "has a debilitating effect" to emphasize the weakening or disabling consequences on a person's physical or mental health.

Common error

While "has a debilitating effect" is grammatically correct, reserve it for formal or professional writing. In casual conversations, consider using simpler alternatives like "really hurts" or "tires me out" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has a debilitating effect" functions as a predicate in a sentence, describing the impact of a subject. It signifies that the subject causes significant harm or weakening. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has a debilitating effect" is used to describe something that causes significant weakening or impairment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. Primarily found in news, scientific, and formal business writing, this phrase emphasizes the severity of the negative consequences. To enhance your writing, consider using it to highlight the weakening impact of a subject, but be mindful of the register and choose simpler alternatives for casual contexts. Related phrases like "causes significant impairment" or "results in substantial weakening" can offer nuanced alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

causes significant impairment

Focuses on the result of causing impairment rather than the process of weakening.

results in substantial weakening

Emphasizes the outcome of weakening, indicating a considerable reduction in strength.

leads to considerable frailty

Highlights the development of frailty as a consequence, implying physical weakness.

produces severe weakening

Emphasizes the action of producing a state of significant weakness.

exerts a damaging influence

Shifts focus to the damaging influence exerted, rather than the specific weakening effect.

inflicts significant harm

Highlights the infliction of harm, which results in diminished capacity.

severely compromises function

Focuses on the compromise of function, indicating a severe reduction in operational effectiveness.

cripples functionality

Uses a stronger verb, 'cripples', to indicate a severe reduction in functionality.

severely diminishes capacity

Highlights the action of diminishing capacity, indicating a severe reduction.

drastically reduces effectiveness

Focuses on the reduction of effectiveness, indicating a dramatic decline.

FAQs

How can I use "has a debilitating effect" in a sentence?

Use "has a debilitating effect" to describe something that weakens or disables. For example, "The illness "has a debilitating effect" on his ability to work".

What are some alternatives to "has a debilitating effect"?

Alternatives include "causes significant impairment", "results in substantial weakening", or "leads to considerable frailty", depending on the specific context.

Is "has a debilitating effect on" grammatically correct?

Yes, "has a debilitating effect on" is grammatically correct and commonly used. It specifies what is being affected, such as "The policy "has a debilitating effect" on small businesses".

What is the difference between "has a debilitating effect" and "has a harmful effect"?

"Has a debilitating effect" implies a weakening or disabling impact, while "has a harmful effect" simply means causing damage or harm. Debilitating suggests a reduction in function or capacity, which is a more specific type of harm.