this eats into

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this eats into" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where something consumes or reduces a resource, such as time, money, or energy. Example: "The unexpected expenses this month really eat into our savings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

This eats into profits.

The Economist

All of this eats into businesses' margins for investment.

The Guardian

Consequently, this eats into their profitability and reduces their chances of growing their organization's businesses.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In 2007 this ate into Mr Le Pen's vote, keeping him out of the run-off.

The Economist

Another boy, even more worried: "Sir, does this eat into our break time?" "I'll make sure it doesn't".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

This ate into money earmarked for industry, so Iran's oil, gas and petrochemical sectors, targeted by sanctions in 2012, accrued large debts.

The Economist

Lacking the ability to raise interest rates, the Bank of England could not suppress inflation imported into Britain through the devaluation of sterling, and as this ate into people's spending power, it choked off growth.

BBC

"Let this eat into your brain, mother: You're never gonna see my wife, and you will never see those kids again," he told her. "Grandma is dead".

Huffington Post

All of that eats into the dealer's bottom line.

TechCrunch

The concern for high marks, as we know, has engulfed all the stakeholders alike; and this very concern eats into the development and happiness of the students who are at the receiving end.

Language Testing in Asia

This represents an additional expense that eats into profits and adds to losses.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this eats into" when you want to emphasize that something is gradually reducing a finite resource like time, money, or energy. For stronger impact, specify the resource being affected immediately after the phrase (e.g., "This eats into our budget").

Common error

Avoid using "this eats into" in highly formal writing, such as academic papers or official reports. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "this reduces" or "this diminishes" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this eats into" functions as a transitive verb phrase. It describes an action where "this" (a subject, often an event or situation) has a reducing or consuming effect on something else (the object), as seen in the Ludwig examples where costs or concerns reduce profits or happiness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this eats into" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes how something gradually reduces or consumes a resource. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that this phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts. Although correct, it might be best to avoid it in overly formal academic contexts, where phrases like "this diminishes" might be more appropriate. Ludwig's examples show that "this eats into" often refers to a negative impact on profits, time, or other valuable resources. While not extremely frequent, it's a recognizable and effective way to convey a sense of gradual reduction or consumption.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this cuts into

Similar to the original, but with a slightly more forceful tone.

this diminishes

Focuses on the reduction aspect, without necessarily implying consumption.

this reduces

A more general term for lessening or decreasing something.

this consumes

Focuses on the act of using something up completely.

this depletes

Emphasizes the complete or near-complete consumption of a resource.

this erodes

Suggests a gradual wearing away or weakening effect.

this encroaches on

Indicates a gradual intrusion or advancement into something else.

this infringes upon

Highlights the idea of encroaching on something, often rights or resources.

this compromises

Implies that something is weakened or made vulnerable.

this impacts negatively

A more general term indicating an adverse effect without specifying consumption.

FAQs

What does "this eats into" mean?

The phrase "this eats into" means that something gradually reduces or consumes a resource, such as time, money, or energy. It implies a negative impact on that resource.

How can I use "this eats into" in a sentence?

You can use "this eats into" to describe how a particular action or situation reduces a resource. For example: "The unexpected expenses "this eats into" our savings."

What are some alternatives to "this eats into"?

Some alternatives to "this eats into" include "this reduces", "this diminishes", or "this depletes", depending on the specific context.

Is "this eats into" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "this eats into" may be too informal for some formal writing contexts. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "this reduces" or "this diminishes" in such situations.