undermine productivity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'undermine productivity' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to activities or behaviors that have a negative effect on the productivity of individuals or organizations. For example, "Excessive workloads can undermine productivity and lead to burnout among employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Statements that undermine productivity by falling short on some of these characteristics without sufficient strength on others are excluded, policed and punished as "crebit".

Accounting, Organizations and Society

Precarious work, low pay, poor working conditions and long hours - Britain has the least regulated labour market, even including the US - undermine productivity, reduce motivation and increase absenteeism.

The Guardian - Opinion

Investor advocates have argued that extreme pay disparities lower employee morale and encourage high turnover rates, both of which undermine productivity.

The Washington Post

Another factor that can undermine productivity of presidential second terms is the fact that re-elected administrations have often been impacted by scandals in recent decades (although the events that trigger the scandals can happen during first terms).

The Guardian - Opinion

They undermine productivity and account for more than 85% of health care costs — a big reason premiums for employer-sponsored health care have increased by 123% since 2000 while wages have increased by only 43%.

Harvard Business Review

BLOOMBERG NEWS Downsizing Replaces Expansionon at R.B.S.  |  Stephen Hester, chief executive of the Royal Bank of Scotland, moved up an announcement about job cuts in the investment banking division to Thursday, after uncertainty among staff members began to undermine productivity, Bloomberg News reports, citing an unidentified senior executive.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Those who favor smaller military budgets cite the high "opportunity cost" of diverting vital scientific and technological resources from productive civilian pursuits, undermining productivity at home and competitiveness abroad.

Los Angeles Times

Further deep cuts will hit investment in skills and innovation, undermining productivity and UK competitiveness.

Independent

Once thought to facilitate more collaborative working, research now suggests open plan offices could actually be undermining productivity.

The Guardian

Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, recently led several studies suggesting that extroverts, when grouped together, competed excessively and undermined productivity.

The New York Times - Health

Much of Stiglitz's book is devoted to demonstrating that excessive inequality amounts to sand in the gears of capitalism, creating volatility, fueling crises, undermining productivity and retarding growth.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing factors that negatively affect output, use "undermine productivity" to emphasize a weakening or destabilizing effect rather than a complete halt. For example, "Constant interruptions can "undermine productivity", even if employees are still working."

Common error

While "undermine productivity" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Consider stronger verbs like "impair" or "hamper" for a more precise or impactful effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undermine productivity" functions as a verb phrase + noun, where "undermine" is the verb expressing the action of weakening or destabilizing, and "productivity" is the noun representing the output or efficiency being affected. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "undermine productivity" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe actions or conditions that weaken or destabilize output or efficiency. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. It's most frequently found in news, scientific, and business contexts, indicating a neutral to professional register. While synonymous alternatives like "impair productivity" and "hinder productivity" exist, "undermine productivity" specifically emphasizes a gradual or subtle negative impact. When writing, use "undermine productivity" to highlight factors that erode efficiency without necessarily causing a complete standstill. However, avoid overusing it in highly formal settings where more precise alternatives may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impair productivity

Suggests a weakening or damaging effect on productivity, similar in impact but slightly more formal.

hinder productivity

Implies creating obstacles or difficulties that slow down or prevent productivity.

disrupt productivity

Focuses on interrupting or disturbing the normal flow of productivity.

erode productivity

Suggests a gradual decline in productivity over time.

reduce productivity

Indicates a decrease in the quantity or quality of output.

damage productivity

Implies harm or injury to productivity, possibly more severe than "undermine".

sap productivity

Suggests draining or weakening productivity, often through subtle or continuous means.

hamper productivity

Similar to hinder, implying obstacles that impede productivity.

weaken productivity

Focuses on reducing the strength or effectiveness of productivity.

cripple productivity

Indicates a severe and debilitating impact on productivity, rendering it largely ineffective.

FAQs

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

You can use "undermine productivity" to describe factors that weaken or destabilize output. For example, "Poor communication can "undermine productivity" in a team."

What are some alternatives to "undermine productivity"?

Alternatives include "impair productivity", "hinder productivity", or "disrupt productivity", each carrying slightly different nuances in meaning.

Is it better to say "undermine productivity" or "decrease productivity"?

"Undermine productivity" suggests a more subtle or gradual weakening, while "decrease productivity" simply indicates a reduction in output. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "undermining productivity" and "improving productivity"?

"Undermining productivity" refers to actions that reduce efficiency, while "improving productivity" refers to actions that enhance it. They are opposite in effect.