keeps undermining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keeps undermining" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a continuous action of weakening or damaging something, often in a subtle or indirect way. Example: "His constant criticism keeps undermining her confidence in her abilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The Yankees keep waiting for that winning streak, and the starting pitching keeps undermining them.

The New York Times - Sports

McLaughlin, for his part, said he does not want to recruit a replacement for Healy until he restructures the governance system that keeps undermining Red Cross presidents.

The New York Times - Magazine

Yet this production never lets us escape unconditionally into illusions; it keeps undermining them, and forces us into fresh considerations of how we consume theater and what expectations we bring to it.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Prominent Democrats keep undermining President Obama's central attack on Mitt Romney, in an unusually open show of defiance against the party's presidential nominee.

The New York Times

Far more significant is the way facts keep undermining the Coalition's central "we only have a spending problem" economic story.

The Guardian

The Pakistani military keeps backing militant groups, like Jaish-e-Mohammed, that keep pushing the subcontinent to the brink of war, and that keep undermining Pakistan's fledgling democratic institutions.

The New Yorker

"What is really frustrating folks here is that it's impossible to make and implement plans to pressure senators when the White House and Reid keep undermining the efforts no one from the outside can put any credible pressure on Senators because they know the White House will back that Senator up whatever they do.

Huffington Post

So instead of a straight liberal-conservative debate that a liberal could win--because these programs are highly valued and Republicans keep undermining them--we have a debate with one muddled liberal and two conservatives: the Romney-Ryan ticket and the Bowles-Simpson ticket, and the latter ticket has infected Obama-Biden.

Huffington Post

It would be very sad if that was undermined, and it looks to me like that keeps getting undermined".

Huffington Post

And at the same time those same ballets kept subtly undermining those same audiences.

The New York Times

Taxes were kept high, undermining the wealth of the elites.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keeps undermining" to describe actions or situations that have a consistent and negative impact over time. For example, "The company's short-sighted policies keeps undermining its long-term goals."

Common error

While "keeps undermining" is appropriate for formal writing, consider using more casual alternatives like "keeps messing up" or "keeps ruining" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keeps undermining" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an ongoing action that weakens or diminishes something. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which identifies the phrase as grammatically correct and usable in written English. The examples provided by Ludwig show the phrase used to describe continuous detrimental effects.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keeps undermining" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe an ongoing action that weakens or damages something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is appropriate for use in written English and is often found in neutral to professional contexts, especially within news and media sources. The phrase highlights a recurring negative impact, and its purpose is to call attention to a sustained undermining effect. While ""keeps undermining"" is suitable for most writing, consider using alternatives depending on your context. Always ensure the continuous negative impact of the verb and not a one-time effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

persistently weakens

Emphasizes the continuous and detrimental effect with a focus on weakening.

continually sabotages

Highlights the ongoing and intentional aspect of undermining.

repeatedly erodes

Focuses on gradual but consistent damage or weakening.

consistently destabilizes

Stresses the unwavering and disrupting impact.

habitually subverts

Points out a pattern of undermining authority or established norms.

ceaselessly diminishes

Underscores the uninterrupted and lessening effect.

incessantly weakens

Similar to "persistently weakens" but with a slightly stronger emphasis on the uninterrupted nature.

unremittingly impairs

Highlights the unrelenting nature of the damage or weakening.

perpetually compromises

Focuses on the ongoing and endangering aspects.

chronically destabilizes

Emphasizes the persistent and long-term nature of destabilization.

FAQs

How can I use "keeps undermining" in a sentence?

You can use "keeps undermining" to describe a continuous action that weakens or damages something. For example, "His constant negativity "keeps undermining" the team's morale".

What are some alternatives to "keeps undermining"?

Alternatives include "persistently weakens", "continually sabotages", or "repeatedly erodes", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "keeps undermining" formal or informal?

"Keeps undermining" is generally suitable for neutral to formal contexts. In very informal situations, consider alternatives like "keeps messing up".

What's the difference between "keeps undermining" and "undermines"?

"Undermines" describes a single instance of weakening or damaging something, while ""keeps undermining"" indicates a continuous or repeated action with the same effect.