undermine the prospect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undermine the prospect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or situations that weaken or threaten a potential outcome or opportunity. Example: "The recent changes in policy could undermine the prospect of achieving our goals for the year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Yet their leaders have no more important task than to implement the truths that neither country will ever be able to dominate the otherand that conflict between them would exhaust their societies and undermine the prospect of world peace".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Social alienation and deepening instability will undermine the prospects for peace, security and prosperity for all.

The New York Times

He said such actions could also undermine the prospects for cooperation among countries in the region.

The Guardian

"Now is the time for thoughtful consideration, not rash action that could undermine the prospects for success".

The Guardian

The inability to win a freeze would undermine the prospects for peace talks, Mr. Moussa told reporters.

The New York Times

"All concerned parties should avoid provocative unilateral actions that raise tensions and undermine the prospects for a diplomatic or other peaceful resolution," said Peter P. Velasco, a State Department spokesman.

The New York Times

Unreasonable voices, like that of Ayatollah Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, have already tried to undermine the prospects of a positive outcome of Obama's message.

The Guardian - Opinion

But when his actions undermine the prospects for better Palestinian governing and an eventual end to the violence, neither Israel's interests nor America's are well served.

The New York Times

Nonetheless, a few days after the Israeli ceasefire in Gaza, Assad said in an e-mail to me that although Israel was "doing everything possible to undermine the prospects for peace," he was still very interested in closing the deal.

The New Yorker

The farm bill busts the budget and threatens, by itself, to undermine the prospects for concluding a new global trade round all in the interests of doling out huge cheques to American agribusiness.

The Economist

After Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan appeared to undermine the prospects for an Israeli-Turkish entente by casting Zionism as a "crime against humanity" at a United Nations meeting, Mr. Kerry sought to defuse the controversy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "undermine the prospect", ensure that the subject performing the action directly impacts the likelihood or success of the prospect. For example, "Constant policy changes can undermine the prospect of long-term economic stability".

Common error

Avoid using "undermine the prospect" when the subject is only indirectly related to the outcome. Overstating the direct impact can weaken your argument. Instead, ensure there's a clear, demonstrable link between the action and the compromised prospect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undermine the prospect" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action that weakens or diminishes the possibility of a future outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

11%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "undermine the prospect" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that expresses an action weakening the possibility of a future outcome. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability in various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it conveys concern or criticism about actions that could jeopardize desired results. Alternative phrases include "jeopardize the prospect" and "damage the prospect". When employing this phrase, ensure a direct link exists between the undermining action and the compromised prospect to maintain clarity and strength in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

jeopardize the prospect

Emphasizes the risk and potential danger to the prospect.

damage the prospect

Focuses on the harm inflicted upon the prospect.

erode the prospect

Highlights a gradual weakening or destruction of the prospect.

weaken the prospect

Indicates a reduction in the strength or viability of the prospect.

diminish the likelihood

Shifts the focus to reducing the probability of success.

impair the prospect

Suggests a weakening or damaging effect on the prospect's condition.

undermine the chances

Replaces 'prospect' with 'chances', offering a more informal phrasing.

threaten the prospect

Emphasizes the presence of a potential danger to the prospect.

jeopardize the possibility

Replaces 'prospect' with 'possibility', providing a close synonym.

compromise the prospect

Highlights how the prospect is put at risk due to certain actions.

FAQs

What does "undermine the prospect" mean?

It means to weaken or damage the possibility or likelihood of something happening. For example, constant delays can "undermine the prospect" of completing a project on time.

How can I use "undermine the prospect" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe actions or situations that negatively affect future outcomes. For instance, "His constant negativity can "undermine the prospect" of team success."

What are some alternatives to "undermine the prospect"?

You can use alternatives like "jeopardize the prospect", "damage the prospect", or "erode the prospect" depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "undermine the prospect" or "weaken the chances"?

"Undermine the prospect" is generally considered more formal than "weaken the chances". The former is often used in professional or academic contexts, while the latter is more common in everyday conversation.