impairing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impairing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that causes a reduction in quality, strength, or function. Example: "The medication has been shown to have side effects that are impairing the patient's ability to concentrate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The report stated the wastewater discharge is potentially impairing the reproduction of sensitive invertebrate and algal species, including a species of water flea and freshwater green algae.

The Guardian

A survey by the Bank of England published on January 2nd found that lenders had reduced the availability of credit to both households and companies in the three months to mid-December and expected to curb it still further in the first quarter of 2009.Banks' reluctance to lend as they strive to repair their overstretched balance-sheets is impairing the effectiveness of monetary policy.

The Economist

In the process, the gate itself has also become smaller and less effective, allowing current to leak away and impairing the transistor's ability to switch rapidly between its two states.

The Economist

Across much of Europe, bad debts held by banks are impairing the balance-sheets of their governments.

The Economist

He says DIY users may place electrodes incorrectly, thus stimulating the wrong part of their brain, or reverse the polarity of current, potentially impairing the very things they are trying to improve.

The Economist

(A study from 2009 found that American-football crowds maintain a quiet hum of 75-80 duringls during "home plays", but blare at 110-115 decibels when a visiting team has the ball, impairing the quarterback's range of communication).

The Economist

Ebola sufferers have overwhelmed hospitals, impairing their ability to treat other patients.

The Economist

This massively increases their surface area and hence the charge they can hold, but without impairing their physical strength.Another challenge lies in resolving the two conflicting requirements of the resin.

The Economist

Typically, small glass spheres have held the two panes of glass apart, impairing by refraction the performance of the display.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Gen. Edward H. Levi has issued "guidelines" for the FBI which would permit it to investigate members of groups whose actions "will" break federal law and have the result of substantially impairing-for the purpose of influencing U.S. govt. policies or decisions-the functioning of the govt. of the U.S".

The New Yorker

The genesis of the threat is India's appalling Bhopal disaster of 1984, when a Union Carbide chemical plant blew up, killing many thousands and impairing often severely the health of perhaps half a million.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "impairing", ensure the context clearly specifies what is being affected and the nature of the reduction in function or quality. For example: "The lack of sleep was impairing his judgment."

Common error

Avoid using "impairing" too broadly. Instead of saying "The situation is impairing everything", specify which aspects are being negatively affected to provide a clearer and more impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The word "impairing" functions as a verb in its present participle form, often used to describe an ongoing process that is weakening or damaging something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

26%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "impairing" is a versatile term used to describe the process of something weakening or damaging another thing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts, predominantly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific writing. While alternatives like "hindering" or "damaging" exist, "impairing" specifically denotes a reduction in quality or function. It's essential to provide a clear context specifying what is being affected to avoid ambiguity. With a high expert rating and frequent appearance in authoritative sources, mastering its use can greatly enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

diminishing

Focuses on the reduction in size, extent, or importance, differing from "impairing" which emphasizes functional damage.

weakening

Highlights a loss of strength or power, whereas "impairing" can apply to broader functional aspects.

hindering

Emphasizes obstruction or delay, a more specific sense than the general reduction caused by "impairing".

damaging

Suggests direct harm or injury, a more forceful effect than the potentially gradual process of "impairing".

lessening

Indicates a decrease in amount or intensity, differing slightly from "impairing's" focus on functionality.

degrading

Highlights a reduction in quality or moral status, whereas "impairing" is more focused on capability.

affecting negatively

A broader term indicating any adverse impact, while "impairing" specifies a reduction in functionality.

obstructing

Implies blocking or hindering progress, which is a specific type of functional reduction.

undermining

Suggests weakening the foundation or support of something, a more structural impact compared to "impairing".

compromising

Indicates a weakening of standards or principles, a more abstract effect than "impairing's" functional reduction.

FAQs

How can I use "impairing" in a sentence?

"Impairing" is used to describe something that weakens or damages something else. For instance, "The constant noise was "impairing her concentration"" or "The software bug was "impairing the system's performance"".

What are some alternatives to "impairing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "hindering", "weakening", "damaging", or "lessening" instead of "impairing".

Is there a difference between "impairing" and "affecting"?

"Affecting" is a more general term that means influencing something, while "impairing" specifically means weakening or damaging something. For instance, a new policy might be affecting morale, but a scandal could be "impairing the company's reputation".

When is it appropriate to use "impairing" in formal writing?

"Impairing" is appropriate in formal writing when you need to describe a specific negative impact on functionality or quality. For example, "The budget cuts are "impairing the department's ability" to provide adequate services".