"damage confidence in..." / "hit confidence in..."

[Tofu]

Hello Alan, Mister Micawber, Beeesneees, Mordant, Esl_Expert and other native English speakers,

- damage confidence in...
- hit confidence in...

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http://tinyurl.com/25nyrx2
Possible retroactive cuts in subsidies would, the Forum believes, damage confidence in the regulatory structure in Spain and thereby restrict the financing of new projects.
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http://tinyurl.com/2ewrglc
However, a survey showed the matter had hit confidence in McDonald's among Chinese consumers.
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Are damage and hit interchangeble?

[Alan]

Hi,

The idea is that confidence is weakened but 'hit' is probably more sudden whereas 'damage' could be a slower process.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Tofu]

Thank you, Alan.

Are there any other verbs that you use with "confidence in..."? Destroy? Ruin?

[Beeesneees]

You could use both those, Tofu.
Don't forget the positives too:
created confidence, raised confidence, regained confidence, gained confidence.
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Cheers m' dears!

[Alan]

Hi Tofu,

I'm not too happy about 'ruin confidence' but perhaps you could try 'shatter confidence.'

Alan
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms