reduce confidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reduce confidence" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is generally used to describe a situation in which someone's level of trust or belief in something or someone is lowered or diminished. Example: The negative feedback from her boss has started to reduce her confidence in her abilities to succeed in her new role. or The constant criticism from her peers is causing her to gradually reduce her confidence in her artistic skills.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

But if they turn out to be true, it will further reduce confidence in a police force that is often perceived, at best, as merely incompetent.

The Economist

Massive Bitcoin heists, like the recent plunder of roughly 6% of outstanding Bitcoins from the Mt Gox exchange, reduce confidence in the currency.

The Economist

Increasing European deficit spending from its current high levels might reduce confidence in the euro-zone by raising questions about the long-run viability of the ECB, causing private demand to diminish as public demand increases.

The New York Times

Professor Stephen O'Rahilly, from the University of Cambridge, said: "This is a purely theoretical study and there are many assumptions made which reduce confidence in the statements regarding the precise extent of the health benefit".

Independent

Meanwhile, the European Central Bank continues to demand a response that will not be considered by ratings agencies to be the first default among countries that use the euro, which the bank fears could reduce confidence in the currency's stability.

The New York Times

In a Jan . 28memo to Democrats, three prominent Democratic strategists, Stan Greenberg, James Carville and Bob Shrum, said the Enron collapse "has the potential to shape the entire political environment for 2002, impact other issues and reduce confidence in the Bush administration and the Republicans".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

"But constant changes to super reduces confidence".

The Guardian

A big rescue could actually end up reducing confidence.

The Economist

On the contrary, it has worsened the recession, increased social tension and further reduced confidence.

The New York Times

Reduced confidence would presumably cause many consumers to be more frugal in their spending decisions.

The New York Times

Likewise, the impact on victims is equally as varied, ranging from financial loss to reduced confidence.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reduce confidence", consider the specific aspect of confidence being affected. Be precise about what is losing credibility or reliability to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "reduce confidence" too broadly. Instead of saying something "reduces confidence" generally, specify who or what loses confidence and why.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduce confidence" functions as a verb phrase where "reduce" is the verb and "confidence" is the direct object. It expresses the action of diminishing or lowering the level of confidence in something or someone, aligning with Ludwig's analysis of its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reduce confidence" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that describes the act of diminishing trust or belief. Ludwig's AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reputable sources spanning news, science, and business contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Science, indicating its relevance in objective reporting and analytical discussions. When using "reduce confidence", precision is key: specify what loses confidence and why to enhance clarity. The related phrases offer alternative ways to express this concept, each with subtle nuances in meaning. In summary, "reduce confidence" is a versatile and reliable phrase for conveying a decline in trust or certainty across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lessen trust

Emphasizes a decrease in trust rather than confidence, implying a relationship aspect.

undermine faith

Highlights the erosion of faith, suggesting a deeper, more fundamental loss of belief.

erode assurance

Focuses on the gradual wearing away of assurance, indicating a slow decline in certainty.

weaken belief

Directly addresses the weakening of belief, portraying a simple reduction in conviction.

diminish reliance

Centers on decreasing reliance, suggesting a shift away from depending on something.

lower expectations

Adjusts expectations downward, implying a preparatory lowering of anticipated outcomes.

shake conviction

Implies a forceful disruption of someone's conviction, creating doubt.

sap certainty

Suggests a gradual draining of certainty, leading to increased doubt.

impair reliance

Highlights damage to reliance, indicating compromised dependability.

affect certainty

A general phrase indicating an influence on certainty without specifying direction.

FAQs

How can I use "reduce confidence" in a sentence?

You can use "reduce confidence" to describe actions or events that diminish trust or belief in something. For example, "The scandal significantly reduced public confidence in the government".

What are some alternatives to "reduce confidence"?

Alternatives include phrases like "lessen trust", "undermine faith", or "erode assurance" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "reduce confidence" or "decrease confidence"?

"Reduce confidence" and "decrease confidence" are largely interchangeable. However, "reduce confidence" might be slightly more common in general usage.

What causes can "reduce confidence" in a brand?

Several factors can "reduce credibility" or confidence in a brand, including negative publicity, poor product quality, or unethical business practices.