undermines confidence in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undermines confidence in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations or actions that negatively affect trust or belief in a person, organization, or concept. Example: "The recent scandal undermines confidence in the leadership of the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Such doubletalk only undermines confidence in the authorities still further.

The Economist

This intolerance undermines confidence in the rightness of the cause.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It undermines confidence in the country's drug program.

The New York Times

Justice Sotomayor was right to lament that the Court's order "undermines confidence in this institution".

The Economist

It undermines confidence in the media, in democracy, in the EU, in Nato, in the west".

The Guardian

Over time, he added, this habit undermines confidence in the law.

The New York Times

This undermines confidence in the system and should be addressed immediately".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

It also undermined confidence in the sport.

The New York Times - Sports

Will water cannons undermine confidence in the police?

The Guardian - Opinion

But mostly, they tried to undermine confidence in VaxGen.

The New York Times

They also try to undermine confidence in the entire process.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "undermines confidence in" when you want to emphasize that a specific action, event, or piece of information is actively weakening the trust or belief someone has in something. For greater impact, follow this phrase with a clear explanation of the negative consequences.

Common error

Ensure that the subject directly causes the reduction in confidence. Avoid using this phrase when the connection is indirect or speculative. State clearly what specifically leads to the erosion of trust.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undermines confidence in" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action that negatively affects the level of trust or belief in something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, showing its role in depicting the weakening of confidence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

12%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "undermines confidence in" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that signifies a weakening of trust or belief. Ludwig AI confirms that it's correct to use in English writing. It is frequently found in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts to express concern or criticism about actions or events that damage credibility or reliability. When using this phrase, ensure that the subject directly causes the reduction in confidence, and clearly state what leads to the erosion of trust for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

erodes trust in

Changes the verb from 'undermines' to 'erodes', suggesting a gradual wearing away of trust.

damages faith in

Replaces 'confidence' with 'faith', implying a deeper, more fundamental loss of belief.

weakens belief in

Uses 'weakens' instead of 'undermines', indicating a reduction in the strength of belief.

shakes conviction in

Implies a forceful disruption to firmly held beliefs or convictions.

destroys credibility of

Highlights the destruction of believability, suggesting a more complete loss of trust.

impairs assurance in

Substitutes 'undermines' with 'impairs' and 'confidence' with 'assurance', both suggesting a reduction in certainty.

lessens reliance on

Focuses on the reduction of dependence or reliance, rather than confidence.

casts doubt on

Focuses on the act of creating or increasing uncertainty.

harms reputation of

Shifts the focus to the damage inflicted on someone's or something's reputation.

reduces certainty about

Emphasizes the decrease in assuredness or certainty regarding something.

FAQs

How can I use "undermines confidence in" in a sentence?

Use "undermines confidence in" to show that something is damaging trust. For example, "The scandal "undermines confidence in" the government's ability to manage the economy".

What are some alternatives to "undermines confidence in"?

You can use alternatives such as "erodes trust in", "damages faith in", or "weakens belief in" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "undermines confidence in" or "erodes confidence in"?

Both phrases are correct, but ""undermines confidence in"" suggests a more active and direct weakening, while "erodes confidence in" implies a gradual decline.

What does it mean when something "undermines confidence in" an institution?

It means that the action or situation weakens the public's trust and belief in the integrity, reliability, or effectiveness of that institution. The results can be lower approval ratings, less support, or even calls for reform.