undermine the rating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undermine the rating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or factors that negatively affect the credibility or value of a rating or assessment. Example: "The recent scandal may undermine the rating of the company's stock, leading to a decline in investor confidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Doesn't this rather undermine the rating system?

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Some have warned that charging different rates for policies would effectively undermine the "community rating" principle of private health insurance in Australia.

The Guardian

Conventional wisdom has it that if you spin off the good bit of the group, nobody would want the bad bit and that shareholders would be no better off if the high street [division] was de-rated, undermining the re-rating from travel.

The Guardian - Business

In that situation, the debt — which the government already predicts will stabilize at around 90 percent of G.D.P. — could balloon, undermining the credit rating.

The New York Times

Higher rates would undermine the recovery and reduce future growth rates, making it harder for the government to finance deficits, said Carmen Reinhart, an economist with the University of Maryland and expert on the relationship between debt levels and economic growth.

Forbes

He (along with others) often cites today's 63% labor participation rate to undermine the stunning drop in the unemployment rate from 10% in 2009 to today's 5%.

Huffington Post

I'm not convinced it isn't a parody piece aiming to undermine the case for interest rate increases.

The Economist

"I was in particular impressed by the clarity with which the president said excessive differences between interest rates undermine the transmission of monetary policy".

The Guardian - Business

High pregnancy rates undermine the conduct and interpretation of HIV prevention trials.

Contraception

Moreover, he suggests, floating rates undermine the fundamental tenets of comparative advantage.

Forbes

The glut of houses could undermine the effectiveness of interest-rate cuts.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "undermine the rating", ensure that the context clearly indicates what specific factors or actions are contributing to the weakening or discrediting of the rating.

Common error

Avoid using "undermine the rating" when the effect is minor or uncertain. Opt for weaker verbs if the impact is not substantial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undermine the rating" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "undermine" acts as a transitive verb, taking "the rating" as its direct object. This describes an action that weakens or diminishes the value or credibility of a rating, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "undermine the rating" is grammatically sound and serves to express a weakening or discrediting of an assessment, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its use is relatively rare but acceptable across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the factors contributing to the undermining effect and avoid exaggerating the impact. Consider alternatives such as "weaken the rating" or "diminish the rating" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Weaken the rating

Emphasizes a reduction in the rating's strength or impact.

Diminish the rating

Focuses on making the rating seem less significant or valuable.

Erode the rating

Focuses on gradual damage to the rating's integrity.

Devalue the rating

Highlights a reduction in the perceived worth or importance of the rating.

Compromise the rating

Highlights a negative impact on the rating's integrity or reliability.

Damage the rating

Focuses on the harm caused to the rating's reputation or credibility.

Degrade the rating

Suggests a decline in the rating's quality or standard.

Undercut the rating

Suggests weakening the rating by indirect or subtle means.

Impair the rating

Emphasizes the weakening or disabling of the rating's effectiveness.

Subvert the rating

Highlights the act of overturning or destabilizing the rating's intended function.

FAQs

How can you use "undermine the rating" in a sentence?

You can use "undermine the rating" to describe actions or events that weaken the credibility or value of an assessment. For instance, "The scandal may "erode the rating" of the company's stock".

What are some alternatives to "undermine the rating"?

Alternatives include "weaken the rating", "diminish the rating", or "compromise the rating" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "undermine the rating" in formal writing?

Yes, "undermine the rating" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in contexts such as news reports, business analyses, and academic papers. It clearly conveys the idea of weakening or discrediting a rating.

What's the difference between "undermine the rating" and "challenge the rating"?

"Undermine the rating" suggests weakening its credibility, while "challenge the rating" implies questioning its validity or accuracy, often with the intention of proving it wrong. They have different connotations and aren't always interchangeable.