weaken ties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "weaken ties" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts discussing relationships, connections, or bonds that are becoming less strong. Example: "The recent disagreements may weaken ties between the two countries." Alternative expressions include "diminish connections" and "undermine relationships."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Mr. Miliband, himself the son of Jewish immigrants, emphasized the importance of relations between Israel and Britain on Tuesday and said the uproar over the forged passports should not be used to weaken ties between the countries.

The New York Times

This was an effective strategy to weaken ties by spreading fear, anxiety and distrust.

TechCrunch

However, stigmatization not only leads to marginalization through various policies, but also has the potential to weaken ties and social support received from law-abiding citizens (Petersilia 2008).

Health & Justice

And traditional sects of Japanese Buddhism--still the largest and oldest presence in Southern California--are California--are California--aretinns assimilate andeclinen ties to the fasth of their ancesucceeding

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Yet, the distance from Britain and the isolation it imposed strengthened rather than weakened ties with it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The killings have badly strained the already weakened ties between the Bush administration and the Palestinian Authority.

The New York Times

In addition, inmates serve their sentences in prisons far from their families, weakening ties that help prisoners stay clean after their release.

The New York Times

The mayor justified the decision to reduce the Patum's links to the church in the context of a secular society with weakening ties to Catholicism.

The New York Times

The war in Chechnya weakened ties between the centre and the non-Russian republics and polarized Russians and non-Russians (about 19% of the population) in a way not seen since 1991.

Encyclopedia Britannica

President Hollande was clear that this was not about weakening ties with America.

BBC

"President Obama's feckless foreign policy has emboldened our adversaries, weakened ties with our allies, and threatens to break faith with our military," she wrote in a statement to The Huffington Post.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "weaken ties" with an explanation of the cause or consequence to provide context and strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "weaken ties" when the relationship is completely broken or severed. Instead, use phrases like "break off relations" or "sever connections" to indicate a complete separation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weaken ties" functions as a verb phrase where "weaken" is the verb indicating a decrease in strength and "ties" is the noun representing connections or relationships. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "weaken ties" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase that effectively conveys the idea of diminishing connections or relationships. While Ludwig AI classifies its frequency as uncommon, it appears consistently across diverse sources such as News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to consider the specific type of connection and the degree of diminishment. Alternatives like "strain relationships" or "damage connections" offer nuanced options to convey similar meanings. Remembering to use "weaken ties" to describe a process, not a complete severing, will enhance clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weaken relationships

Focuses specifically on the diminishing strength or quality of relationships.

strain relationships

This phrase suggests causing tension or difficulty in relationships, potentially leading to a weakening.

damage connections

Implies harm or impairment to existing links or bonds between entities.

undermine bonds

This suggests a gradual weakening or erosion of the foundation of a relationship.

erode relationships

This describes a slow deterioration of relationships over time.

jeopardize alliances

This indicates putting partnerships at risk, which can lead to a weakening of the connection.

disrupt relations

Suggests a disturbance or interruption in the harmony of relationships.

impair connections

This describes damaging or weakening the strength or quality of the connections.

loosen bonds

This suggests a relaxing or freeing of the connections, making them less strong.

attenuate links

Implies a reduction in the intensity or strength of the connections.

FAQs

What does "weaken ties" mean?

"Weaken ties" means to diminish the strength, connection, or bond between two or more entities, be they people, organizations, or countries.

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

You can use "weaken ties" in sentences like: "The scandal could "harm ties" between the two nations" or "His actions threatened to "erode relationships" within the community."

What are some synonyms for "weaken ties"?

Some synonyms for "weaken ties" include "strain relationships", "damage connections", and "undermine bonds".

Is it better to use "weaken ties" or "weaken relationships"?

Both "weaken ties" and "weaken relationships" are correct. "Ties" is more general, referring to any form of connection, while "relationships" specifically refers to the interactions and bonds between entities. The best choice depends on the specific context.