made powerless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made powerless" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something has been rendered unable to act or exert influence. Example: "The sudden changes in policy made the committee members feel made powerless to effect any real change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

These repressed instinctual impulses, however, are not always made powerless by this process.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, we had seen that a powerful, arrogant, rich and confident elite can be made powerless by the actions of ordinary people".

The Guardian

Although his hopes for moderate reform collapsed when his chosen archbishop, Edmund Grindal, was made powerless following a quarrel with the Queen, Burghley could not afford to weaken the Puritan militants against aggressive Catholicism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Such tendencies are described as "repressed". They remain unconscious; and if the physician attempts to bring them into the patient's consciousness he provokes a "resistance". These repressed instinctual impulses, however, are not always made powerless by this process.

Britannica

What these ISIS films reflect is what I have called the "esthetic component" of terrorism, where extremely stark and graphic images of violence are used to strengthen, uplift, and essentially empower terrorist perpetrators, while the target population, what Martha Crenshaw would call the "secondary audience," is simultaneously denigrated, emasculated, and made powerless to control events.

HuffPost

She is made powerless and frustrated by the opposition constructed during the course.

BMC Medical Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

In addition to a criminal justice approach in the struggle against slavery there is a need for a human rights one: slavery is inflicted on those that society has sought to make powerless.

The Guardian - Opinion

Can we make powerless people more visible, give them a voice?

Huffington Post

The past has made us powerless.

The Guardian

He destroyed the countries and made them powerless and he made the sea their frontier.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"They have made Japan powerless to stand up to China and Korea," said Mr. Sakurai, who refused to give his real name.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "made powerless", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is causing the loss of power. Clarity in sentence structure is key.

Common error

While "made powerless" is in passive voice, avoid stacking passive constructions. Too much passive voice can make your writing weak and unclear. Consider rephrasing to use an active voice where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made powerless" functions as a passive verbal phrase, typically used as part of a predicate to describe a state where an entity has lost its ability to exert influence or control. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use across various contexts, describing how individuals, groups, or even abstract concepts can be rendered ineffective.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "made powerless" describes a state of lost influence or control. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and is most commonly found in news and encyclopedic contexts. While not exceptionally frequent, its usage is appropriate in situations where one wants to describe the act of being deprived of power or agency. When writing, ensure the context clearly shows what or who caused this loss of power and avoid overusing passive voice. Consider alternatives like "rendered helpless" or "disempowered" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rendered helpless

Emphasizes a state of being unable to protect oneself or act independently.

disempowered

Highlights the act of taking away someone's power or authority.

rendered ineffective

Focuses on the result of diminishing something's ability to produce a desired effect.

undermined

Focuses on gradually weakening or damaging something's effectiveness.

neutralized

Focuses on rendering something unable to have any effect.

incapacitated

Implies a physical or mental inability to function normally.

disabled

Implies a restriction or inability to perform certain actions.

subjugated

Suggests being brought under control by force or domination.

invalidated

Highlights the negation of someone's or something's validity or importance.

overwhelmed

Indicates being defeated by an intense force or pressure.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "made powerless" to sound more active?

Instead of saying something was "made powerless", consider using active verbs like "disabled", "undermined", or "incapacitated". For example, "The new regulations disabled their ability to compete".

What is the difference between "made helpless" and "made powerless"?

"Made helpless" often implies a lack of ability to protect oneself or receive assistance, while "made powerless" emphasizes a lack of authority, control, or influence.

Is it grammatically correct to use "made powerless" in formal writing?

Yes, "made powerless" is grammatically correct and can be used in formal writing. However, ensure the passive voice doesn't obscure the subject responsible for the action.

What are some common situations where something is "made powerless"?

Something might be "made powerless" through legislative changes, technological advancements that render old systems obsolete, or strategic decisions that weaken a competitor's position.