has been undermined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been undermined" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been weakened or damaged over time, often referring to trust, authority, or stability. Example: "The credibility of the organization has been undermined by recent scandals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The system has been undermined".

The Guardian

But it has been undermined.

The Guardian - Opinion

Where the hydrology of rivers has been undermined.

Yale University

That trust has been undermined by recent events.

The New York Times

But the rationale for the camp's existence has been undermined.

The Economist

Kasparov believes that, as a result, intuition has been undermined.

The New Yorker

The old vertical industry model has been undermined.

The Economist

"The whole idea of guidelines has been undermined.

The Guardian

But confidence has been undermined by a range of problems.

The Guardian

The right to a fair trial has been undermined.

The Guardian

I think her judgment has been undermined," she said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been undermined" to precisely convey that something's strength, authority, or effectiveness has been gradually weakened, especially by subtle or indirect actions. This works well when describing abstract concepts like trust, credibility, or principles.

Common error

Avoid using "has been undermined" to describe direct physical damage. Phrases like "has been damaged" or "has been weakened" are more appropriate for tangible items. "Has been undermined" best describes intangible concepts facing gradual, often subtle, degradation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been undermined" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something has been weakened or damaged, often subtly or gradually. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage across diverse contexts, highlighting its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Academia

10%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been undermined" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to denote a weakening or damaging effect. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides ample examples of its application across various contexts, particularly in news, academic writing, and professional communication. While versatile, it's best suited for describing subtle or gradual deterioration of intangible concepts like trust or authority. When describing direct physical damage, alternatives like "has been damaged" or "has been weakened" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been weakened

Focuses on a reduction in strength or power.

has been compromised

Suggests a loss of integrity or security.

has been eroded

Implies a gradual wearing away or deterioration.

has been impaired

Indicates a functional reduction or damage.

has been jeopardized

Highlights the risk of failure or loss.

has been destabilized

Suggests a loss of stability or balance.

has been subverted

Indicates an overthrowing or corruption from within.

has been invalidated

Means something previously established is no longer valid or correct.

has been negated

Indicates that something has been nullified or made ineffective.

has been vitiated

Suggests a spoiling or corrupting influence.

FAQs

How can I use "has been undermined" in a sentence?

Use "has been undermined" to indicate that something's foundation, strength, or effectiveness has been weakened, often gradually. For example: "The company's reputation "has been undermined" by recent scandals."

What can I say instead of "has been undermined"?

You can use alternatives like "has been weakened", "has been compromised", or "has been eroded" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say 'the trust was undermined' or 'the trust has been undermined'?

Both are grammatically correct, but "the trust "has been undermined"" suggests an ongoing or recently completed process, while "the trust was undermined" implies a completed action in the past with no direct connection to the present.

What's the difference between "has been undermined" and "has been challenged"?

"Has been undermined" implies a weakening or damaging effect, often subtle or gradual, while "has been challenged" suggests a direct questioning or opposition, without necessarily implying a loss of strength or effectiveness.