was undermined with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was undermined with" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where something has been weakened or damaged, but the preposition "with" is not appropriate in this context. Example: "The project's success was undermined by a lack of resources."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And like all the world's knottiest problems, the premise of all global conflict was undermined with startling simplicity, not through Lennon-ist peacenik soundbites but a determined, rational unpicking of the logic topped off with the doozy of a rug-pull; what is it you are actually hoping for?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

His position is undermined with every passing hour.

The New York Times - Sports

It is undermined with a short, unsatisfying epilogue whose shocking final moment isn't enough to justify its inclusion.

The New York Times

A European alliance, decades in the making, could be undermined with no obvious economic or political benefits in exchange.

The Guardian - Opinion

Pardew's position has been undermined, with the director of football set to be given an office at the club's Benton training ground.

Independent

I say this with an acute sense of loss, because in Pakistan and so many other countries of the world a community built through culture has always been a threat to the status quo, to the military dictatorships, and to the wealthy — those who believe their position would be undermined with democracy and freedom of expression.

The New Yorker

Some say the qualification has been undermined with pupils repeatedly retaking GCSE modules to boost their grades.

BBC

He once told the BBC he was attracted to politics because "our democracy is being undermined, with remote and unaccountable elites making the key decisions that affect our lives".

BBC

Steele, who was appointed in June 2010, had promised a "worldwide and multi-sport" search to fill the role,  but the process has since been undermined with the job specification changing twice and interviews for the post reportedly postponed.

BBC

Action on climate change will be undermined with the TPPA action on public health will be undermined, and action on the environment will be undermined.

Vice

What they don't realize is the degree to which our patriotic identity is undermined with this question.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was undermined by" instead of "was undermined with" for grammatically correct phrasing. The preposition 'by' accurately indicates the cause or agent of the undermining action.

Common error

Avoid using the preposition 'with' after 'undermined.' It's grammatically incorrect and weakens the sentence's clarity. Use 'by' to indicate the cause of the undermining action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was undermined with" functions as a passive construction intended to describe something being weakened. However, Ludwig AI indicates that the preposition usage is incorrect, affecting its grammatical function.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

31%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "was undermined with" appears in various contexts, including news, science, and general web content, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "was undermined by." Using alternatives such as "was weakened by" or "was compromised by" is recommended for clearer and more accurate communication. Despite its common occurrence, adhering to proper grammar enhances the credibility and effectiveness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was weakened by

Focuses on the reduction of strength or effectiveness due to a specific factor.

was compromised by

Emphasizes that something was damaged or put at risk.

was eroded by

Highlights the gradual wearing away or destruction of something.

was damaged by

Indicates that harm or injury was inflicted.

was subverted by

Implies an undermining in a treacherous or deceptive manner.

was invalidated by

Suggests the nullification of something's effect or authority.

was countered by

Highlights the presence of an opposing force diminishing the original effect.

was negated by

Implies the complete cancellation or undoing of something's impact.

was offset by

Indicates a balancing effect where something diminishes the impact of the original.

was diminished by

Focuses on a reduction in size, importance, or intensity.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use the phrase "was undermined"?

The correct phrasing is "was undermined by", indicating the cause of the undermining. For example, "The project's success "was undermined by" a lack of resources."

What can I say instead of "was undermined with"?

Use alternatives like "was weakened by", "was compromised by", or "was damaged by" depending on the specific context.

Is "was undermined with" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "was undermined with" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The correct preposition to use is "by".

What's the difference between "was undermined by" and "was undermined with"?

"Was undermined by" is grammatically correct and indicates the cause of the undermining, while "was undermined with" is grammatically incorrect.