reduce the credibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'reduce the credibility' can be used in written English.
You can use it when you need to indicate that something has lessened the believability of another thing. For example, "The mayor's controversial decisions have reduced the credibility of his administration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"If they can put out the fact that people are being overdiagnosed, then they reduce the credibility of the doctors," he said.

The New York Times

Eli M. Noam, a Columbia business professor who said he thought that generating more revenue from intellectual property was legitimate, said he still worried that "long term, it will reduce the credibility of universities and will probably reduce the willingness of society to take care of these institutions".

The New York Times

–The federal government exploits the Chrysler deal to reduce the credibility of commercially traded bonds thus elevating the quality of its own bonds by arbitrarily denying bondholders.

Forbes

Conservative MP David Davis said Sir John had been sent out by Number 10 to "reduce the credibility of the Leave campaign's claims" but the figures he was "bandying about" on the Marr show were not accurate in themselves.

BBC

That was destined to reduce the credibility of the very institutions that prevented even greater damage - institutions that could do more to help them.

HuffPost

"That makes it either the real thing - UFO - or a hoax, and it doesn't appear to be a hoax, although the inability to question witnesses does reduce the credibility.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Sadly, his first motive reduced the credibility of his second.

The Guardian - Opinion

That reduces the credibility of Trump's threats.

The Washington Post

Media bloggers and journalists have argued the whole process reduces the credibility of journalism.

The Guardian

The sight of squabbling politicians and the resulting deadlock had further reduced the credibility of the political class.

The Guardian

Even a well-informed army official, who declined to be identified, acknowledged that reports of field officers are not always completely accurate and that the inaccuracies have reduced the credibility of the spokesman's office.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reduce the credibility", ensure that the subject performing the action is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify whose actions or statements are causing the reduction in credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "reduce the credibility" when a more nuanced term is appropriate. For instance, if there's only a minor impact, consider using phrases like "slightly weaken" or "marginally affect" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduce the credibility" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action that diminishes the believability or trustworthiness of a person, organization, or idea. As stated by Ludwig AI, this phrase can be used to lessen the believability of another thing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

45%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reduce the credibility" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the diminishing of believability or trustworthiness. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, with examples spanning news, scientific, and academic contexts. While maintaining a neutral register, it serves to express criticism, warn, or explain consequences. When employing this phrase, clarity and specificity are key. Considering alternatives such as "weaken the believability" or "damage the trustworthiness" can enhance precision in different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weaken the believability

This alternative focuses on making something less believable, highlighting the impact on belief.

damage the trustworthiness

This phrase emphasizes the harm done to the reliability and honesty of something.

undermine the validity

This alternative suggests weakening the factual accuracy or logical soundness of something.

erode the reputation

This focuses on the gradual destruction of someone's or something's good name.

compromise the reliability

This phrase indicates that something has been put at risk in terms of its dependability.

impair the integrity

This highlights the damage to the moral soundness and honesty.

diminish the authority

This alternative focuses on lessening the power or influence something holds.

lessen the impact

This suggests a reduction in the influence or effect of something.

degrade the standing

This highlights the lowering of someone's or something's position or rank.

discount the value

This alternative focuses on reducing the perceived worth or importance.

FAQs

How can I use "reduce the credibility" in a sentence?

You can use "reduce the credibility" to describe actions or events that damage the believability of something. For example, "The scandal significantly "reduced the credibility" of the politician."

What are some alternatives to saying "reduce the credibility"?

Alternatives to "reduce the credibility" include "weaken the believability", "damage the trustworthiness", or "undermine the validity", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "reduce the credibility" or "decrease the credibility"?

Both "reduce the credibility" and "decrease the credibility" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or the specific tone you want to convey.

What's the difference between "reduce the credibility" and "damage the credibility"?

"Reduce the credibility" suggests a lessening of believability, while "damage the credibility" implies a more significant and potentially lasting harm to believability. The best choice depends on the severity of the impact.