made unstable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made unstable" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that has become less stable or secure, often in a physical, emotional, or situational context. For example, "The sudden change in temperature made the chemical solution unstable." Alternative expressions include "rendered unstable" and "caused instability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Authorities believe the slide was caused by ground made unstable by recent heavy rainfall.

The Guardian

The ship had been made unstable by structural retrofitting and an excessive cargo load.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It will be a leader with no one to lead, in a world made unstable by its very isolation.

The Economist

Council officials reported that the cliffs had been made unstable by three months of torrential rain followed by several days of sub-zero temperatures.

The Guardian

The works can seem disordered, made unstable by incongruent vantage points and scales; he often combines aerial and linear perspectives to dizzying effect.

The Guardian

The mountain still towers over the city but it is crumbling inside, made unstable by the hundreds of miles of mine shafts constructed over the 500 years it has been exploited.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Prisons are damaging places that make unstable people worse – dragging them from families or tenancies – and almost bound to reoffend.

The Guardian - Opinion

This makes unstable network.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Don't they make unstable supermodel marriages?

BBC

It is known that impulses can make unstable systems stable or, otherwise, stable systems can become unstable after impulse effects; see [14 18].

Advances in Difference Equations

GMP is a good foam-building peptide as it efficiently reduces surface tension and assures high gas content during foaming but makes unstable foams compared to foams made with WPI (Thomä-Worringer et al. 2007).

Dairy Science and Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "made unstable", consider the specific cause of the instability. Being precise about the factors that contributed to the instability enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

While "made unstable" is grammatically correct, overusing passive voice can weaken your writing. Consider using active voice when possible to create a more direct and engaging narrative. For example, instead of "The earthquake made the building unstable", try "The earthquake destabilized the building".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made unstable" functions as a passive construction, where an external force or condition causes something to lose its stability. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical structure and widespread use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "made unstable" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction. It describes a state where something has lost its stability due to an external influence. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct usage across various contexts including news, science, and encyclopedias. While "destabilized" can be a more concise alternative, "made unstable" allows for emphasis on the causal factors. When writing, be mindful of using passive voice and clearly identify the cause of the instability. Its neutral to formal tone suits various writing purposes, from reporting to scientific explanation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

destabilized

This single-word alternative directly conveys the action of making something unstable, simplifying the phrase.

rendered precarious

This option uses more formal language, highlighting the resulting state of being unstable.

caused to be unsteady

This alternative emphasizes the causal aspect of making something unstable, focusing on the action's effect.

disrupted the equilibrium of

This option is more suitable for contexts where balance or equilibrium is key, highlighting the disruption caused.

unbalanced

A shorter, more direct way of saying something has been "made unstable", implying a loss of balance.

shaken

This suggests a forceful action that has led to instability, often in an emotional or metaphorical sense.

weakened the foundations of

This option specifies that it's the foundations that have been "made unstable", implying a more fundamental problem.

compromised the integrity of

Focuses on damaging the integrity leading to instability.

undermined

This implies a gradual weakening that leads to instability, often used in political or social contexts.

tossed into disarray

This suggests a chaotic and disruptive action resulting in instability, emphasizing the disordered state.

FAQs

How can I use "made unstable" in a sentence?

You can use "made unstable" to describe something that has lost its stability. For example: "The heavy rain "made unstable" the ground beneath the house".

What are some alternatives to "made unstable"?

Some alternatives include "destabilized", "rendered precarious", or "caused to be unsteady", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "made unstable" or "destabilized"?

Both phrases are valid, but "destabilized" is more concise. "Made unstable" might be preferred when you want to emphasize the process or specific factors that led to the instability, rather than just the result.

What's the difference between "made unstable" and "became unstable"?

"Made unstable" implies an external force or action caused the instability, whereas "became unstable" suggests that the instability arose from internal factors or a natural progression.