a lessening of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lessening of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a reduction or decrease in something, such as intensity, severity, or quantity. Example: "The study showed a lessening of symptoms in patients after the treatment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And the artistic payoff is a lessening of fear.

The New Yorker

How can a lessening of the life-quality produce an increase such as Sense-Perception?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"The Philadelphia project seemed to have resulted in a lessening of graffiti".

The New York Times

Mr Obama's more accommodating tone did not represent a lessening of that concern.

The Economist

Perhaps because he was aware of a lessening of his powers, his actions became haphazard.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As red and blue states pull further apart, the result is not a lessening of tensions.

The New York Times

"Refineries historically haven't made money, and I don't see a lessening of environment restrictions".

The New York Times

Transplanted to New York, the genre now signals a lessening of ambition.

The New Yorker

The 2014 American withdrawal from Afghanistan will result in a lessening of U.S. interest in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

University of Pennsylvania

But he said the task was "doable" and would itself contribute to a lessening of the violence.

The New York Times

"The F.T.C. cannot demonstrate a lessening of competition in crude oil sales to the West Coast," the companies said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace "a lessening of" with more specific terms like "reduction", "decrease", or "decline" to enhance precision. For example, instead of "a lessening of tension", specify "a reduction in tension" or "an easing of tension".

Common error

While "a lessening of" is grammatically sound, it can sometimes sound verbose in formal writing. Opt for more concise alternatives like "reduced" or "decreased" to maintain a streamlined tone. Avoid using "a lessening of" repeatedly in the same piece.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lessening of" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as a noun modifier. It describes the action or result of diminishing something, as seen in Ludwig's examples, like "a lessening of tensions" or "a lessening of fear."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

19%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a lessening of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that indicates a reduction or decrease. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reputable sources across various domains, including news, academia, and science. While versatile, it's advisable to consider more concise alternatives like "reduction in" or "decrease in" for enhanced clarity in formal writing. Its frequency and presence in authoritative sources underscore its acceptance in standard English usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reduction in

Direct synonym, focusing on the act of making something smaller or less.

a decrease in

Similar to reduction, but often implies a gradual decline.

a decline in

Suggests a negative trend or deterioration.

a drop in

Implies a sudden or sharp decrease.

a diminishment of

More formal synonym, suggesting a gradual reduction in size or importance.

a curtailment of

Focuses on the act of restricting or limiting something.

an alleviation of

Specifically refers to making suffering, deficiency, or a problem less severe.

a mitigation of

Implies actions taken to reduce the severity or impact of something negative.

an easing of

Suggests a reduction in tension, pressure, or difficulty.

an attenuation of

Implies a weakening or reduction in force, intensity, or value.

FAQs

How can I use "a lessening of" in a sentence?

Use "a lessening of" to indicate a reduction or decrease in something. For example, "The new policy resulted in "a lessening of" bureaucracy".

What can I say instead of "a lessening of"?

You can use alternatives like "a reduction in", "a decrease in", or "a decline in" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "lessening of"?

Yes, "lessening of" is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts to describe a reduction or decrease.

What is the difference between "a lessening of" and "a reduction in"?

While both phrases indicate a decrease, ""a lessening of"" might imply a more gradual or subtle decrease compared to the more direct "a reduction in".