undermine faith

USAGE SUMMARY

"undermine faith" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to any situation in which faith or trust is undermined or lost. For example, "The mayor's scandalous activities undermined faith in the political system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But they can also undermine faith in the Karzai government.

The New York Times

That could undermine faith in republican government itself.

The Guardian - Tech

The change is so vast as to undermine faith in memory.

The Economist

The rollout will potentially undermine faith in much more than just the Affordable Care Act.

The New York Times

It's important you don't undermine faith in the democratic process, whichever party is concerned".

The Guardian

But systematic attacks on the integrity of our elections undermine faith in the electoral process.

The Washington Post

If that doesn't undermine self-confidence, it will undermine faith in anyone else's ideas.

Harvard Business Review

May says it would undermine faith in democracy and rip the country apart.

The Washington Post

(2) Questioning God's inscrutable ways has its exemplar in the Bible and need not undermine faith.

The New York Times

Doubts about electoral integrity, whether justified or groundless, can undermine faith in the legitimacy of the democratic process.

Harvard University

The effect of the financial crisis was to undermine faith and trust in the competence of the governing elites.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "undermine faith", be specific about what the faith is directed towards (e.g., "undermine faith in the government" is clearer than just "undermine faith").

Common error

Avoid using "undermine faith" without specifying the object of faith. Vague usage can dilute the impact and make the sentence less informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undermine faith" functions as a verb phrase, where 'undermine' is a transitive verb and 'faith' is the direct object. Ludwig AI indicates its correct usage in expressing the weakening of trust or belief.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "undermine faith" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression signifying the weakening of belief or trust. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage across diverse contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academia, its register remains largely neutral. When employing this phrase, clarity is key; specifying the object of faith enhances understanding. Common alternatives include "erode belief" and "damage trust". In essence, "undermine faith" serves as a potent tool for articulating concerns about diminishing confidence in various spheres.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

erode trust

Focuses on the gradual destruction of trust, a component of faith.

erode belief

This alternative suggests a gradual weakening of belief, similar to undermining.

damage trust

Focuses on the harm done to trust, which is a key component of faith.

weaken confidence

Highlights the reduction in confidence, another aspect of faith.

shake conviction

Emphasizes the destabilization of a firm belief or opinion.

destroy credibility

Shifts the focus to the loss of believability and trustworthiness.

sap confidence

Indicates a gradual depletion of confidence, mirroring the undermining effect.

shatter illusions

Highlights the destruction of false beliefs or hopes.

discredit claims

Emphasizes the act of proving claims to be false, thus undermining belief in them.

challenge dogma

Suggests questioning and confronting established beliefs or doctrines.

FAQs

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

You can use "undermine faith" to describe actions or events that weaken trust or belief in something, such as "The scandal threatened to undermine faith in the company's leadership."

What's a good alternative to "undermine faith"?

Alternatives include "erode belief", "damage trust", or "weaken confidence", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "undermine faith in" or "undermine the faith of"?

"Undermine faith in" is generally preferred when referring to institutions or concepts (e.g., "undermine faith in democracy"). "Undermine the faith of" is used when referring to a group of people (e.g., "undermine the faith of the followers").

What are some common causes that "undermine faith"?

Common causes include corruption, scandals, broken promises, and consistent failures. These events can "erode belief" in systems, institutions, or individuals.