may undermine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may undermine" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a possibility that something could weaken or damage another thing, often in a context discussing risks or negative impacts. Example: "The new policy may undermine the progress we have made in employee satisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Other concerns may undermine the democratic euphoria.

The New York Times

New research suggests your phone may undermine your parenting.

University of California, Berkeley

*Glitches in the body clock itself may undermine health.

The New York Times - Health

But this latest disclosure trend may undermine some of that.

The New York Times

Undermine the infrastructure, and you may undermine racism.

The Guardian - Opinion

Empowering Sunni forces may undermine efforts toward national reconciliation, however.

The New Yorker

Arrangements like that, Viciedo worried, may undermine any progress.

The New York Times - Sports

That compounds his mistakes and may undermine law enforcement.

The New York Times

Recession and falling tax revenue may undermine Mr Levy's adjustment.

The Economist

Thus activist investors may undermine the effectiveness of the CEO.

Harvard Business Review

This decoupled approach may undermine the true potential of these tools.

Chemical Engineering Research and Design

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may undermine", consider the strength of the potential impact. If the impact is certain or highly likely, stronger verbs like "will" or "can" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "may undermine" repeatedly without specifying the degree or extent of the potential undermining effect. Provide context to clarify the severity and scope of the potential negative impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may undermine" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating a possibility or potential for something to weaken or damage something else. It introduces a degree of uncertainty, suggesting that the undermining effect is not definite but rather a plausible outcome. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing the use of the phrase in this context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

37%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may undermine" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to indicate the potential for something to weaken or damage something else. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic writing. While it suggests a possibility rather than a certainty, using it effectively requires careful consideration of the strength and scope of the potential negative impact. When using "may undermine", it's beneficial to provide sufficient context and consider alternatives like "could jeopardize" or "might compromise" to convey the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could jeopardize

Emphasizes the risk or potential danger involved, suggesting a more severe potential outcome than simply weakening.

might compromise

Focuses on the potential to weaken or impair something, often in the context of agreements or standards.

can weaken

A simpler alternative that directly indicates a reduction in strength or effectiveness.

might destabilize

Highlights the potential to disrupt stability or balance, suggesting a broader impact.

could erode

Suggests a gradual and progressive weakening, often over time.

may impair

Focuses on the potential to diminish or damage a specific function or ability.

can jeopardize

Directly indicates the ability to put something at risk of failure or harm.

might diminish

Emphasizes a reduction in size, importance, or quality.

could threaten

Highlights the potential to pose a danger or risk to something.

may imperil

Suggests putting something in a dangerous situation or at risk of harm or destruction.

FAQs

How can I use "may undermine" in a sentence?

Use "may undermine" to express that something has the potential to weaken or damage something else. For example: "The new regulations "may undermine" the company's profits."

What are some alternatives to "may undermine"?

You can use alternatives like "could jeopardize", "might compromise", or "can weaken" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "may undermine" or "will undermine"?

"May undermine" suggests a possibility or potential, while "will undermine" indicates a higher degree of certainty. Choose the phrasing that accurately reflects the level of confidence in the statement.

What's the difference between "may undermine" and "may weaken"?

While similar, "may undermine" often implies a more strategic or fundamental weakening, whereas "may weaken" suggests a general reduction in strength or effectiveness.