undermines your ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undermines your ability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing how certain actions, behaviors, or situations negatively affect someone's skills or capabilities. Example: "Constant criticism from your peers can undermine your ability to perform well in your job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It creates a pattern of insecurity and undermines your ability to function in the labor market".

Vice

There's nothing that undermines your ability to move through the world confidently like this annoying little voice.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

To do so could muddy the doctor-patient relationship and undermine your ability to act as a witness for the patient should a legal proceeding occur.

The New York Times - Magazine

"The other thing is, you've undermined your ability to get something useful out of it anyway if you've lost your virginity, so to speak, by appearing to cave in to domestic protectionist pressures".

The New York Times

** But some sanitary reformers, Florence Nightingale among them, opposed contagionism precisely because they believed that the poor were personally responsible for their filth: contagionism undermined your ability to hold people to account for their unwholesome way of life.

The New Yorker

When someone who lives among you turns himself into an enemy mouthpiece, while spreading lies, out of the hope that this will undermine your ability to wage war – this is called, in simple Hebrew, 'treason'".

Independent

The dean of the university sent him a letter warning that his pledge not to use certain pronouns revealed "discriminatory intentions"; the letter also warned, "The impact of your behavior runs the risk of undermining your ability to conduct essential components of your job as a faculty member".

The New Yorker

If you fail to use the time before your move effectively, you'll undermine your ability to get on top of the job right from the start.

Forbes

It senses stress and it pumps you full of adrenaline and endorphins that undermine your ability to be at the top of your game.

Huffington Post

But when you wall yourself off from others, and stay holed up in your stress-addled brain, you actually undermine your ability to bounce back.

Huffington Post

Unfortunately doctors today talk about not giving "false" hope, yet they often engender false fears, which can undermine your ability to heal.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the negative impact of a specific action or condition, use "undermines your ability" to clearly express the reduction in someone's capacity to perform effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "undermines your ability" in situations where a more nuanced or less dramatic phrase would be appropriate. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undermines your ability" functions as a verb phrase that describes how something weakens or reduces one's capacity to perform a task or function effectively. Ludwig AI suggests it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "undermines your ability" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a weakening or reduction in someone's capacity to perform effectively. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Wiki, and Scientific publications. While the phrase is versatile, overusing it can diminish its impact. Related phrases include "weakens your capacity" and "impairs your skill". Be mindful of the context to ensure the most appropriate and impactful phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weakens your capacity

Replaces "undermines" with "weakens" and "ability" with "capacity", focusing on a reduction in strength or capability.

impairs your skill

Substitutes "undermines" with "impairs" and "ability" with "skill", highlighting a negative effect on proficiency.

diminishes your potential

Changes "undermines" to "diminishes" and "ability" to "potential", emphasizing a reduction in inherent capability.

hinders your aptitude

Replaces "undermines" with "hinders" and "ability" with "aptitude", indicating an obstacle to inherent talent.

compromises your competence

Substitutes "undermines" with "compromises" and "ability" with "competence", focusing on a reduction in effectiveness.

lessens your effectiveness

Changes "undermines your ability" to "lessens your effectiveness", emphasizing reduced output and results.

erodes your capacity

Replaces "undermines" with "erodes" and "ability" with "capacity", indicating a gradual decline in strength.

cripples your capability

Substitutes "undermines" with "cripples" and "ability" with "capability", suggesting a severe reduction in function.

sabotages your aptitude

Changes "undermines" to "sabotages" and "ability" to "aptitude", indicating deliberate action that hampers talent

handicaps your potential

Replaces "undermines" with "handicaps" and "ability" with "potential", emphasizing the introduction of disadvantage affecting capability.

FAQs

What does "undermines your ability" mean?

It means to weaken or reduce your capacity to do something. It suggests a negative impact on your skills or competence.

How can I use "undermines your ability" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe how certain actions or conditions negatively affect someone's skills or capabilities. For example: "Constant criticism from your peers can undermine your ability to perform well in your job."

What can I say instead of "undermines your ability"?

You can use alternatives like "weakens your capacity", "impairs your skill", or "diminishes your potential" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "undermines your ability" and "impairs your ability"?

Both phrases are very similar. "Undermines your ability" suggests a gradual weakening, while "impairs your ability" suggests a more direct or immediate negative effect.