will be tarnished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "will be tarnished" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something will lose its luster, reputation, or quality in the future. Example: "If we don't address these issues, our reputation will be tarnished in the eyes of our clients."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

If so, his post-racial image will be tarnished.

The Economist

So that memory is what will be tarnished.

The New York Times - Sports

Perhaps you fear your reputation will be tarnished.

The Guardian - Money

Nobody's reputation will be tarnished here, nobody who counts annoyed.

The New York Times - Books

Arab regimes will be cast ever more as client states, while the United States will be tarnished for upholding them.

The Economist

There is of course, the view that any proposals on firearm regulation will be tarnished by a Republican-controlled House.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Should she protect, coddle and preserve Azeri, the 5-year-old mare who is the reigning Horse of the Year, staying on a schedule that could guarantee that the horse's record will never be tarnished?

The New York Times - Sports

My name will forever be tarnished but I wasn't the man I am now".

BBC

"But there's a point of no return after which credibility will always be tarnished.

Huffington Post

The credentials of the president's nominee are irrelevant, and will only be tarnished by Senate hearings.

Huffington Post

My Spotify history will now be tarnished for months with First Edition ranking No. 1. 4. Sympathy for Patsi Bale Cox.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "will be tarnished" when you want to emphasize a future decline in reputation or quality due to specific actions or events. This phrasing is particularly effective when discussing abstract concepts like legacies, images, or reputations.

Common error

Avoid using "will be tarnished" in very casual or informal conversations. Simpler alternatives like "will be ruined" or "will be damaged" may be more appropriate in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will be tarnished" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject of the sentence will undergo a negative change, specifically a decline in its reputation, image, or quality. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is correct and usable English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis reveals that "will be tarnished" is a commonly used phrase, particularly in news and media, to express a future decline in reputation or quality. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct. While synonyms like "will be damaged" or "will be tainted" exist, "will be tarnished" is best suited when emphasizing a loss of luster or image. When writing, it's important to consider the context, avoiding overuse in informal settings where simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. The examples from Ludwig provide a solid base of reference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will be damaged

Focuses on the harm or impairment that will occur.

will be tainted

Emphasizes a loss of purity or integrity that will happen.

will be discredited

Highlights a future loss of credibility or believability.

will be sullied

Stresses the act of something becoming stained or defiled.

will be compromised

Indicates a future weakening or impairment of something's quality.

will be disgraced

Focuses on a future loss of honor or respect.

will be stigmatized

Highlights the process of something becoming marked with disgrace or disapproval.

will be blackened

Emphasizes the destruction of reputation.

will be besmirched

Focuses on the act of soiling or staining someone's reputation.

will be stained

Indicates a permanent mark or blemish that will occur.

FAQs

How can I use "will be tarnished" in a sentence?

You can use "will be tarnished" to describe a future loss of reputation or quality. For example, "If the company continues to ignore customer complaints, its reputation "will be tarnished"."

What's a synonym for "will be tarnished"?

Synonyms for "will be tarnished" include "will be damaged", "will be tainted", or "will be discredited". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "will be tarnished" or "will be damaged"?

"Will be tarnished" specifically implies a loss of reputation or luster, while "will be damaged" is a more general term indicating harm or impairment. Choose "will be tarnished" when the focus is on reputation or image.

Can "will be tarnished" be used for physical objects?

While "will be tarnished" is more often used for intangible things like reputation, it can also apply to physical objects that lose their luster or appearance. For example, "The silver "will be tarnished" if not properly cleaned."