shake confidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shake confidence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an event or situation that has caused someone to lack faith in themselves or in something else. For example, "The unexpected news really shook her confidence and made her question her abilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Doesn't that shake confidence in the system?

The Guardian - Business

By the same logic, a sharp downturn can shake confidence.

The Economist

You may argue that it would shake confidence to the ground.

The Economist

You would think this would amount to strong evidence that the downgrade totally failed to shake confidence in US debt.

The New York Times

That development would shake confidence not only in the economy of Greece, but also of other heavily indebted European nations.

The New York Times

Any failure to pay due debt would effectively amount to a default, which, however briefly, could shake confidence in the American economy and unsettle global financial markets.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

That speech raised expectations that were not fulfilled, shaking confidence in US leadership.

The Guardian - Opinion

The flood of recalls in the United States has shaken confidence in Toyota's reputation for quality.

The New York Times

His death shook confidence and growth declined from 6% in 2004 to 1% in 2005.

The Economist

And yet the past few weeks have rightly shaken confidence in the new Europe.

The Economist

In 1967 Britain was forced to devalue, shaking confidence in the system.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "shake confidence", consider the degree of impact you want to convey. It suggests a significant, though not necessarily complete, loss of trust.

Common error

Avoid using "shake confidence" when a situation only causes mild concern or slight hesitation. Reserve it for scenarios where there's a notable reduction in trust or belief.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shake confidence" functions as a verb phrase where "shake" acts as a transitive verb impacting the noun "confidence." According to Ludwig AI, this construction is correct and effectively conveys a reduction in assurance or belief.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Vice

3%

Forbes

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shake confidence" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, particularly in news and business contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It effectively describes the reduction of trust or belief in something. While there are no grammatical errors to note, writers should carefully consider the degree of impact they wish to convey, reserving the phrase for situations where there is a noticeable decline in assurance. Alternatives like "undermine assurance" or "erode faith" offer nuanced ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undermine assurance

Focuses on gradually weakening confidence, rather than a sudden impact.

diminish trust

Indicates a reduction in the level of trust or reliance.

erode faith

Emphasizes a slow and progressive decline in belief.

inflict doubt

Highlights the action of causing or imposing uncertainty.

weaken resolve

Highlights the diminishing of determination or purpose.

dent credibility

Specifically targets the reduction of believability or trustworthiness.

sap morale

Implies a draining of enthusiasm and spirit.

destabilize certainty

Focuses on disrupting a state of sureness or conviction.

raise questions

Indicates that doubt has been cast.

cast aspersions

Highlights the attack on a person's reputation.

FAQs

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

You can use "shake confidence" to describe events that reduce assurance in something. For instance, "The company's financial losses "shook confidence" in its leadership".

What are some alternatives to "shake confidence"?

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

Is it better to use "shake confidence" or "shatter confidence"?

"Shake confidence" implies a reduction, while "shatter confidence" suggests a complete destruction of belief. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the degree of impact.

What's the difference between "shake trust" and "shake confidence"?

"Shake trust" emphasizes a loss of belief in someone's reliability, whereas "shake confidence" focuses on a broader reduction of assurance in an entity or idea.