will be undone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "will be undone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something will be reversed or negated in the future. Example: "If we do not take action now, all our efforts will be undone by the changes in policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Then his work will be undone, as everyone's is eventually.

The New York Times

"I'm worried that that good will be undone," he said.

The New York Times

He now wonders whether his work will be undone by the impending closing.

The New York Times

Or is this a satire, where ambition will be undone by possibility?

The Guardian - Arts

And then all that work that's been done over the years will be undone".

The Guardian

All the good work of the right will be undone, simply because they massively mistimed their attacks.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Or else they say, "Really, you'll be undone by space travel," and that's just obnoxious.

The New York Times - Magazine

Six years later, the question is how easily they'll be undone.

Huffington Post

"This law will nsure that our hard work will not be undone".

The New York Times

Most will never be caught, and, worst of all, the damage they cause will never be undone.

Vice

Security is an obvious concern, outweighing, for now, the risk that licences may be revoked if branches are not set up within a year.And who can be sure that what has already been achieved will not be undone?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "will be undone" to clearly express that a previous action or state will be reversed or nullified in the future. This phrase is effective for emphasizing potential setbacks or the impermanence of achievements.

Common error

Avoid using "will be undone" excessively in overly complex sentences. Simpler phrasing can often improve clarity and readability. Consider breaking down long sentences to maintain a clear message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will be undone" functions as a passive construction indicating that a prior action or state will be reversed or nullified in the future. It commonly appears in contexts where there's a risk of losing progress or having efforts negated.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Wiki

6%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "will be undone" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that a prior action or state faces the risk of being reversed or nullified in the future. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across various domains, with a prevalence in news and media, formal business contexts, and scientific publications. While the phrase is generally suitable for formal and professional communication, writers should be mindful of clarity and choose more precise alternatives when appropriate to avoid ambiguity or enhance formality. When writing about this, remember that "will be undone" commonly appears in contexts where there's a need to warn about potential setbacks or emphasize the impermanence of current achievements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will be undone

Suggests the reversal of actions or progress, often implying effort was wasted. Here the words of the phrase were just reverted, no other semantic transformation was applied.

will be reversed

Emphasizes a change back to a previous state or condition.

will be nullified

Focuses on the legal or official invalidation of something.

will be negated

Highlights the cancellation or denial of an effect or statement.

will be invalidated

Suggests that something will lose its validity or legitimacy.

will be overturned

Specifically implies the reversal of a decision or ruling.

will be counteracted

Indicates that an action will be taken to neutralize or offset something.

will be repealed

Refers specifically to the cancellation or revocation of a law or regulation.

will be abolished

Implies the complete elimination of a system, practice, or institution.

will be revoked

Indicates the formal cancellation of a privilege, license, or permit.

FAQs

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

You can use "will be undone" to indicate that something achieved or completed is at risk of being reversed or negated in the future. For example: "If we don't maintain the system, all our progress "will be undone"."

What are some alternatives to "will be undone"?

Alternatives include "will be reversed", "will be nullified", or "will be negated". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "will be undone" or "will be reversed"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. "Will be undone" suggests a loss of effort or progress, while "will be reversed" simply indicates a return to a previous state. Choose the phrase that best fits the intended meaning.

Can "will be undone" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "will be undone" is suitable for formal writing, as it is grammatically correct and widely understood. However, consider whether a more precise alternative like "will be invalidated" or "will be repealed" might be more appropriate depending on the context.