it was undermined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was undermined" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has been weakened, damaged, or made less effective, often in a context of trust, authority, or stability. Example: "The team's confidence was shaken because it was undermined by constant criticism from management."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

It was undermined, however, by its pool of balsamic syrup, which made it too sweet.

The New York Times

It was undermined, however, by church interests, which were opposed to its lack of ecclesiastical control, and criticism of the efficiency of its management, hence losing much of its earlier prestige as the premier educational establishment in the town.

Wikipedia

A wind tore it up again, or it was undermined by flood.

The New Yorker

As a wholesome family instinct it was undermined by his solitary appearances at mass.

The Guardian

Immediately it was undermined from within the party, with calls for delays and more.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was undermined, she argues, by fundamentalism -- Catholic and Islamic alike.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

He criticized television, especially NTV, and said it was undermining the President.

The New Yorker

What Raines was doing wasn't just making a lot of people miserable; it was undermining the Times' highest values.

The New Yorker

"It was undermining a lot of the work we were trying to do," she says simply.

Forbes

The opposition councillors said it was undermining confidence in him and the Labour-run council's reputation.

BBC

From their point of view it was undermining their work, inadvertently or otherwise ("Māori women incensed by bulletin issued by Education Department," 1964).

Video Journal of Education and Pedagogy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was undermined" when you want to express that something's authority, effectiveness, or stability has been weakened, often by subtle or indirect means. Be specific about what caused the undermining.

Common error

While "it was undermined" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider rephrasing to active voice for more direct and impactful sentences. For example, instead of "The plan was undermined by internal conflicts", try "Internal conflicts undermined the plan".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was undermined" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something (the 'it') has been weakened or damaged by an unspecified agent. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard and usable construction in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

12%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was undermined" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate that something has been weakened or damaged, often subtly or indirectly. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is frequently found in News & Media and Science, highlighting its utility in both objective reporting and analytical contexts. To ensure clarity and impact, be specific about what caused the undermining and consider using the active voice when appropriate. Alternatives such as "it was weakened" or "it was compromised" can provide nuanced variations depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was weakened

Focuses on the reduction of strength or effectiveness.

it was compromised

Suggests that something was exposed to danger or suspicion.

it was subverted

Highlights the act of overturning or overthrowing something established.

it was eroded

Implies a gradual wearing away or diminishment.

it was invalidated

Suggests that something was made void or without legal force.

it was destabilized

Emphasizes the loss of stability or equilibrium.

it was discredited

Focuses on the loss of reputation or credibility.

it was sabotaged

Highlights a deliberate act of destruction or obstruction.

it was thwarted

Emphasizes the prevention of something from happening.

it was negated

Suggests that something was cancelled out or made ineffective.

FAQs

How can I use "it was undermined" in a sentence?

Use "it was undermined" to describe how something's strength or effectiveness decreased, often due to specific actions or events. For instance: "The project's success "it was undermined" by budget cuts".

What are some alternatives to "it was undermined"?

You can use alternatives like "it was weakened", "it was compromised", or "it was subverted" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "it was undermined" or "it was weakened"?

The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey. "It was weakened" suggests a general reduction in strength, while ""it was undermined"" implies a more subtle or indirect weakening, often due to actions that erode its foundation.

What causes something to be described as "it was undermined"?

Typically, ""it was undermined"" is used when internal or external factors subtly erode the strength, credibility, or effectiveness of something, such as a plan, relationship, or system. This can be through acts of sabotage, criticism, or neglect.