weaken substantially

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "weaken substantially" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant reduction in strength, effectiveness, or intensity of something. Example: "The new regulations are expected to weaken substantially the company's competitive advantage in the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It is forecast to curl southwestward towards Australia's east coast but weaken substantially if not dissipate entirely before it would become a threat.

The Washington Post

But analysts say there seems to be enough breathing room for policy makers to loosen money controls and take measures to ensure that China's growth in a nation accustomed to boom times does not weaken substantially.

The New York Times

Unless the equity markets and economy weaken substantially, she will likely beat either Ted Cruz or Donald Trump.

Forbes

"This tension is manageable at present, but could become more challenging if equity and credit markets weaken substantially," Gallagher noted.

Forbes

Can the next president eliminate, or at least weaken substantially, the political obstacles that block a liberal agenda?

Huffington Post

"Exports to Europe are bound to weaken substantially, while imports will pick up steam as U.S. companies rebuild inventory after the unexpected decline in the third quarter," said Ian Shepherdson, chief U.S. economist at High Frequency Economics, Valhalla, New York.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Hiring plans in particular weakened substantially.

The New York Times

The dollar has weakened substantially against the euro over the last year.

The New York Times

"There's a chance that the economy is weakening substantially," Mr. Shirakawa said.

The New York Times

We find that when international partners are considered endogenously, the argument for a "flexible path" approach is weakened substantially.

Space Policy

Even if the storm's wind power weakens substantially, as Hurricane Irene showed, "rainfall can still be extremely high".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "weaken substantially", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being weakened and the degree of weakening. For instance, "The economy's growth is expected to weaken substantially due to rising interest rates."

Common error

Avoid using "weaken substantially" with nouns that are already inherently weak or abstract, as it can create redundancy or vagueness. For example, instead of saying "The rumor weakened substantially the truth", opt for a more precise verb like "obscured" or "challenged".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weaken substantially" functions as an adverbial modifier, typically modifying verbs or clauses to indicate the extent to which something is weakened. It provides emphasis, signifying a considerable reduction in strength or effectiveness. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "weaken substantially" is a grammatically sound adverbial modifier used to describe a significant reduction in strength or effectiveness. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. While not extremely common, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity about what is being weakened and to what degree. Alternative phrases like "diminish significantly" or "decline considerably" can provide similar emphasis depending on the desired nuance. Avoid using it with already weak or abstract nouns to prevent redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

diminish significantly

Focuses on the decrease in magnitude or importance, emphasizing the impact of the reduction.

decline considerably

Emphasizes the downward trend or reduction in a noticeable manner.

reduce markedly

Highlights the distinct and observable reduction.

lessen significantly

Indicates a notable decrease in degree, power, or intensity.

decrease sharply

Focuses on the abrupt and rapid decline.

mitigate severely

Highlights the intensity of lessening an impact or effect.

erode considerably

Emphasizes the gradual wearing away or decline over time.

impair significantly

Focuses on the damaging or weakening effect on functionality or quality.

undermine greatly

Highlights the weakening of the foundation or support of something.

attenuate noticeably

Indicates a perceptible reduction in force, effect, or value.

FAQs

How can I use "weaken substantially" in a sentence?

Use "weaken substantially" to describe a significant reduction in the strength, effectiveness, or intensity of something. For example, "The new evidence could "weaken substantially" the prosecution's case."

What are some alternatives to "weaken substantially"?

You can use alternatives such as "diminish significantly", "decline considerably", or "reduce markedly" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "weaken substantially" or "weaken significantly"?

Both "weaken substantially" and "weaken significantly" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific nuance you want to convey. "Substantially" implies a considerable degree of weakening.

What does it mean for something to "weaken substantially"?

When something ""weaken substantially"", it experiences a significant decrease in its power, influence, or effectiveness. It indicates a noticeable and impactful reduction in its original state.