undermines the purpose

USAGE SUMMARY

"undermines the purpose" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing actions or behaviors that weaken or contradict the intended goal of something. Example: "His constant interruptions undermine the purpose of the meeting." Alternative expressions include "detracts from the goal" and "compromises the intent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

It also undermines the purpose of a college education: exposing students to clashing ideas.

The New York Times

Others suggested that the arrangement undermines the purpose of rent regulation.

The New York Times

Allowing withdrawals completely undermines the purpose of these accounts to provide income for retirement.This might sound small, but it's not a trivial share of most retirement accounts.

The Economist

(Though it's worth warning that studying only what will be on the test undermines the purpose of the class -- to master the material).

The New York Times - Magazine

The NCAA said in a statement: "This union-backed attempt to turn student-athletes into employees undermines the purpose of college: an education.

The Guardian - Sport

The NCAA reacted by arguing: "This union-backed attempt to turn student-athletes into employees undermines the purpose of college: an education".

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"Without complete transparency and accountability for PEP -- which so far has been entirely lacking -- we are concerned that it, too, will become a dangerous dragnet that undermines the purposes of DAPA and unnecessarily perpetuates the pain caused by our broken immigration system," she said.

Huffington Post

By undermining the purpose of the justice system, plea bargaining challenges its legitimacy, she argues.

The New York Times

Among other things, some felt, it undermined the purpose and value of art.

The New York Times - Arts

In farewell posts, the bloggers charged that the advertorial was deceptive and undermined the purpose of the collective.

The New York Times - Magazine

ANNETTE F. FISCH Ann Arbor, Mich., Sept. 9, 2012 To the Editor: Fred A. Bernstein paints a picture of Congressional "casework" as undermining the purpose of the legislative branch.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "undermines the purpose", ensure the subject clearly identifies what is being weakened or contradicted. Clarity is key to effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "undermines the purpose" when the perceived purpose is not the actual, intended goal. Ensure accurate understanding before use.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undermines the purpose" functions as a verb phrase, typically within a clause, to indicate that something is weakening or diminishing the intended goal or objective of something else. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "undermines the purpose" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey the idea of weakening or contradicting an intended goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, predominantly appearing in news and media, scientific publications, and wiki articles. While alternatives such as "compromises the goal" or "thwarts the objective" exist, "undermines the purpose" effectively communicates a gradual weakening, making it a versatile choice for expressing concerns about actions impacting intended outcomes. When using the phrase, clarity is key: ensure that the subject and the intended goal are explicitly defined. Overall, "undermines the purpose" serves as a valuable tool in expressing criticism or concern regarding actions that threaten the success of an objective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compromises the goal

Highlights the impairment of a goal, suggesting it's less likely to be reached.

thwarts the objective

Emphasizes the prevention of achieving a specific objective.

jeopardizes the outcome

Highlights the risk to the success of the planned result.

sabotages the intent

Suggests a deliberate act of undermining the intended outcome.

defeats the object

Signals failure in fulfilling what was intended.

weakens the rationale

Focuses on diminishing the underlying reason or justification.

invalidates the aim

Implies the goal becomes baseless or without merit.

nullifies the effect

Indicates that the intended effect is being cancelled out or made void.

subverts the mission

Denotes an attempt to overthrow or corrupt the mission.

negates the value

Points out the cancellation of importance or worth.

FAQs

How can I use "undermines the purpose" in a sentence?

You can use "undermines the purpose" to describe actions or policies that weaken or contradict the intended goal of something. For example: "His constant interruptions undermine the purpose of the meeting".

What's a good alternative to "undermines the purpose"?

Alternatives include phrases like "compromises the goal", "thwarts the objective", or "sabotages the intent", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "undermines the purpose" or "defeats the purpose"?

Both are valid, but "undermines the purpose" suggests a gradual weakening, while "defeats the object" implies a complete failure to achieve the intended goal.

What is the difference between "undermines the purpose" and "hinders the purpose"?

"Undermines the purpose" suggests a more subtle and potentially corrosive effect, whereas "hinders the purpose" implies a direct obstruction or delay in achieving the goal.