weaken your ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "weaken your ability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing factors or actions that diminish someone's skills or capabilities. Example: "Excessive stress can significantly weaken your ability to concentrate and perform well at work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

When you lose your status as a power with values, you weaken your ability to fight those powers without values.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I have to say that I agree, but the problem I'm finding is that by switching out Fukudome for someone like Mark DeRosa in right field, you're significantly weakening your defensive ability in the outfield.

Huffington Post

Similarly, failing to exercise, even if it's just walking instead of riding the elevator, also weakens your body's ability to handle stress.

Huffington Post

This physically weakens your muscles and lessens your ability to move -- also accompanied with headache and high fever.

WikiHow

Demanding that "the authorities" curtail speech directed against you or your group inevitably weakens the ability of you or your group to assert your own views freely, particularly if they run counter to the views of those same "authorities".

The New York Times

I have to say there are aspects of your amendment I think would not strengthen our ability to deport foreign criminals but could weaken our ability.

The Guardian

In fact, some mothers go on to describe the subtheme of disruption and change in their current quality of life as a result of weakened internal capabilities: "Crisis impacts your ability to enjoy your life in the manner that it is meant to be lived" (mother aged 70, child aged 45).

Autism

That will significantly weaken her ability to win against Dodd".

The New York Times

Instead, it will weaken the ability of responsible employers and unions to negotiate secure pension plans.

The New York Times

But killing one could weaken the ability of a family to distinguish friend from interloper.

The New York Times - Science

There are aspects of this that could "weaken our ability to deport foreign criminals".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the specific context when using "weaken your ability". Sometimes, a more precise term like "impair your skill" or "reduce your effectiveness" might be more impactful.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "weaken your ability" can sound somewhat vague in formal or academic writing. Opt for stronger, more specific verbs and nouns to convey the intended meaning with greater precision. For example, instead of "weaken your ability to analyze data", try "impair your data analysis skills".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weaken your ability" functions as a verb phrase where the verb "weaken" acts upon "your ability", indicating a reduction or impairment of one's capabilities. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "weaken your ability" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a reduction in someone's capabilities. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and choose more specific alternatives when appropriate, particularly in formal writing. Synonyms like "impair your capacity" or "diminish your skill" can provide a more nuanced meaning depending on the intended message. The phrase appears frequently in news and media, but also finds use in science and general contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impair your capacity

Replaces "ability" with "capacity" and "weaken" with "impair", suggesting a reduction in inherent potential.

diminish your skill

Focuses on "skill" rather than general ability, implying a loss of proficiency in a specific area.

reduce your effectiveness

Shifts the focus to the outcome of the ability, highlighting a decline in how well something works.

lessen your competence

Substitutes "ability" with "competence," indicating a decrease in the overall quality of being adequately qualified.

hinder your aptitude

Uses "aptitude" to mean a natural ability, suggesting that something is impeding its development or use.

compromise your potential

Emphasizes that an action or situation is negatively affecting your future possibilities.

erode your proficiency

Suggests a gradual wearing away of expertise or skill.

cripple your talent

Implies severe damage to a natural gift, rendering it significantly less effective.

undermine your strength

Focuses on the gradual weakening of inherent power or robustness.

hamper your effectiveness

Replace "weaken" with "hamper", suggests to impede the progress or action of.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "weaken your ability"?

Alternatives include phrases like "impair your capacity", "diminish your skill", or "reduce your effectiveness", each offering a slightly different nuance.

How does "weaken your ability" differ from "threaten your ability"?

"Weaken your ability" suggests a reduction in power or effectiveness, whereas "threaten your ability" indicates a potential risk or danger that could harm your capabilities.

Is "weaken your ability" too informal for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "weaken your ability" may lack the precision needed for academic writing. Consider more formal alternatives like "impair your capacity" or "undermine your competence" for a more sophisticated tone.

Can "weaken your ability" be used in all contexts?

While versatile, "weaken your ability" is most appropriate when discussing a general decline in capability. For specific skills or contexts, alternatives such as "erode your proficiency" or "diminish your skill" may be more fitting.