undermines performance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undermines performance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing factors or actions that negatively affect someone's or something's effectiveness or efficiency. Example: "The lack of communication within the team often undermines performance, leading to missed deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

One Oregon study found that students working in three different temperature settings had strikingly different results on exams, suggesting that sweating a test actually undermines performance.

The New York Times

Widespread meanness not only damages people; it also increases costs and undermines performance by driving out good employees at alarming rates.

The New York Times

A 2016 review of the scientific literature on sex and athletic performance published in the journal Frontiers in Physiology concluded that having sex within two hours of a competition undermines performance.

Vice

Others have examined the effect of this mind-set on test performance during an interview when stigmatized individuals are nearer to the workplace and have shown that stereotype threat undermines performance at interview (Klein, Pohl, & Ndagijimana, 2007).

Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

advantage hold up, or would the stress undermine performance?

The New York Times - Magazine

The result, Dr. Krahenbuhl said, is that "changes that facilitate performance for one event may actually undermine performance in another event".

The New York Times - Health

Kristi Miller-Saunders, a twenty-five-year veteran of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, where she is the head of molecular genetics, got caught in Harper's crosshairs when her data suggested that an infectious disease might be undermining performance in wild salmon.

The New Yorker

can undermine performance and contribute to a lack of sense of belonging as well.

International Journal of STEM Education

Redundant visual cues, when paired with auditory cues, undermined performance rather than enhanced it.

Applied Ergonomics

Money can and does motivate people to work, yet large performance-related bonuses can reduce our personal interest in tasks and potentially undermine performance.

BBC

In his experiments in India, Ariely expected, based on previous work, that large rewards would undermine performance in tests of motor skills and creativity but not those involving memory.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "undermines performance", ensure that the subject clearly identifies what is causing the negative impact. For example, "Lack of sleep undermines performance on cognitive tasks."

Common error

Avoid using "undermines performance" in overly general statements without specifying the context. Instead of saying "Technology undermines performance", specify "Excessive multitasking on digital devices undermines performance on tasks requiring focused attention."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undermines performance" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, where "undermines" acts as a transitive verb indicating a negative impact on the noun "performance". This phrase is typically used to identify factors that reduce or weaken the effectiveness of something or someone. Ludwig AI validates this usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "undermines performance" is used to describe factors that negatively affect the effectiveness of something, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically correct and, while not exceedingly common, it appears in various contexts, including news, science, and business. When writing, ensure that you clearly specify what is causing the negative impact to avoid overly broad statements. Related phrases like "impairs effectiveness" or "hinders success" can provide alternative ways to express similar ideas. Remember, this phrase is best suited for neutral and formal contexts where clarity and objectivity are important.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impairs effectiveness

Replaces "performance" with "effectiveness", focusing on the degree to which something achieves its intended result.

hinders success

Substitutes "performance" with "success", shifting the focus to the overall achievement of goals.

impedes progress

Replaces "performance" with "progress", highlighting the slowing down of advancement.

disrupts efficiency

Changes "undermines" to "disrupts" and "performance" to "efficiency", focusing on the disturbance of optimal functioning.

weakens output

Focuses on the reduction of the quantity or quality of results.

sabotages achievement

Implies a deliberate action that destroys the opportunity for success.

degrades competence

Highlights a decline in the ability to do something successfully or efficiently.

lessens productivity

Focuses specifically on the reduction of output or efficiency.

cripples functionality

Indicates a severe restriction on the ability of something to operate or perform.

diminishes capability

Focuses on a reduction in inherent abilities.

FAQs

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

You can use "undermines performance" to describe factors that negatively affect someone's or something's ability to function effectively. For instance, "Stress "undermines performance" in high-pressure situations".

What are some alternatives to "undermines performance"?

Alternatives include "impairs effectiveness", "hinders success", or "impedes progress", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Which is correct, "undermines performance" or "enhances performance"?

"Undermines performance" and "enhances performance" are both correct, but they have opposite meanings. "Undermines performance" means to weaken or reduce effectiveness, while "enhances performance" means to improve or strengthen it.

What's the difference between "undermines performance" and "affects performance"?

"Affects performance" is a more general term that simply means there is some impact, which could be positive or negative. "Undermines performance" specifically indicates a negative impact, suggesting a reduction in effectiveness or efficiency.