is weakened

USAGE SUMMARY

"is weakened" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe a state of something becoming less strong or less effective. For example: - The athlete's performance is weakened by her injury. - The economy is weakened by the pandemic. - The argument is weakened by the lack of evidence. - The spell is weakened by the mage's exhaustion.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The immune system is weakened.

The New Yorker

Everyone is weakened.

The New York Times - Sports

"The economy is weakened.

The New York Times

Georgia is weakened, but not destroyed.

The Economist

The insurgency is weakened but not defeated.

The Economist

Manchester's defense is weakened by injuries.

The New York Times - Sports

Europe is divided and France is weakened.

The Guardian - Opinion

Turnbull's own political position is weakened.

The Guardian

His intense stare is weakened by his sunglasses.

The Guardian - Film

"With less glucose the brake on self-control is weakened".

The New Yorker

A calcifying doubt embeds and America's power is weakened.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is weakened", ensure the subject and context clearly indicate what is losing strength or effectiveness. Be specific about the cause of the weakening when possible.

Common error

Avoid using "is weakened" without specifying how or why something is becoming weaker. For example, instead of "The system is weakened", specify "The system is weakened by budget cuts."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is weakened" functions as a passive construction, where "is" serves as an auxiliary verb and "weakened" is the past participle. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, as it is commonly used to describe a state of reduced strength or effectiveness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is weakened" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that describes a state of reduced strength or effectiveness. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's applicable across various contexts, from news and media to scientific discourse. The phrase is versatile and can be used to describe a wide range of scenarios where something has become less strong or effective. While generally neutral in register, paying attention to the specific context and ensuring clear and specific usage will improve communication. Replacing "is weakened" with alternatives like "is diminished" or "is impaired" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. When using "is weakened", specificity is crucial, avoiding vague statements by clearly indicating what is weakened and the cause of the weakening.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is diminished

Focuses on a reduction in size, extent, or importance.

is impaired

Emphasizes a loss of proper function or ability.

is undermined

Highlights the act of gradually eroding support or effectiveness.

is compromised

Suggests a state of vulnerability or reduced integrity.

is lessened

Focuses on a decrease in degree or intensity.

is reduced

Highlights a decrease in amount, size, or intensity.

is attenuated

Implies a reduction in force, effect, or value.

is degraded

Indicates a decline in quality or condition.

is enfeebled

Suggests a state of physical or moral weakness.

is deteriorated

Focuses on the process of becoming progressively worse.

FAQs

How can I use "is weakened" in a sentence?

Use "is weakened" to describe something that has become less strong, effective, or resilient. For instance, "The country's economy "is weakened" by the recession" or "The bridge "is weakened" by corrosion".

What are some alternatives to "is weakened"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "is diminished", "is impaired", or "is undermined" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "is weakened" or "has weakened"?

The choice depends on the intended meaning. "Is weakened" describes a current state, while "has weakened" describes an action that has already occurred and resulted in a weakened state. Example: "The structure is weakened by recent storms" (current state); "The structure has weakened over time" (past action).

What's the difference between "is weakened" and "is compromised"?

"Is weakened" suggests a reduction in strength or effectiveness. "Is compromised" suggests a vulnerability or impaired integrity. A security system is compromised when it's breached, while a muscle is weakened by injury.