allay the notion that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "allay the notion that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to reduce or diminish a belief or idea that may be unfounded or exaggerated. Example: "The study aims to allay the notion that climate change is not a pressing issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It would do much to allay the notion that the law is excessively harsh and vindictive toward Simpson because of his murder acquittal.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The alacrity with which the Spaniard took Chelsea's second goal against Newcastle last weekend from Hazard's snappy backheeled return pass further allayed the notion that Anfield might just as well have sold Abramovich the Mersey Tunnel.

The Guardian - Sport

This did little to allay the conspiracy theories that were already circulating widely.

The Guardian

Gulliver can't allay the suspicion that the women suffered for failing to conform to an outdated notion of how attendants should look.

The Economist

Nevertheless, old friendships do endure, allaying the loneliness that often threatens to engulf us.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Even very plausible explanations did not allay the suspicion that something sinister must be going on.

The New York Times

Caps won't allay the fear that now grips medical practitioners.

Forbes

On the other hand, hunters have done little to allay the negative stereotypes that people hold of them.

Huffington Post

The notion that non-U.S.

Forbes

Challenge the notion that religion is "unscientific".

WikiHow

This should allay the European Commission's concerns that the sensitive nature of the scanners' images may infringe passengers' privacy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, ensure that the "notion" you are trying to allay is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Providing specific context enhances understanding and credibility.

Common error

Don't use "allay the notion that" if you intend to completely disprove something. "Allay" implies a reduction in concern or belief, not a definitive rebuttal. Use stronger verbs like "disprove" or "refute" for complete disagreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "allay the notion that" functions as a verb phrase introducing a subordinate clause. It serves to moderate or reduce a particular belief or idea. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and can be used when you want to diminish a belief.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "allay the notion that" is a grammatically sound phrase used to reduce or mitigate concerns about a particular belief. As Ludwig AI explains, it aims to diminish an idea that may be unfounded. The phrase is most frequently found in neutral contexts like news articles and scientific publications, indicating a moderate level of formality. While grammatically correct, consider stronger verbs if the intention is to completely disprove the notion. Alternatives such as "dispel the belief that" or "mitigate the idea that" can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Dispel the belief that

Replaces "allay the notion" with a more forceful term, "dispel", suggesting a complete removal of the belief.

Reduce the perception that

Substitutes "notion" with "perception", focusing on how something is understood or viewed, and "allay" with "reduce" which is a softer approach.

Mitigate the idea that

Uses "mitigate", suggesting a lessening of the impact or strength of the idea, which is more formal than "allay".

Undermine the assumption that

Employs "undermine", indicating a weakening of the foundation of the assumption.

Counter the impression that

Replaces "allay" with "counter", implying a direct opposition to the impression.

Challenge the view that

Suggests a direct confrontation or questioning of the stated view.

Weaken the argument that

Focuses on diminishing the strength of an argument, rather than simply reducing a notion.

Alleviate concerns about

Shifts the focus to reducing worry or anxiety related to something, rather than a notion.

Disprove the claim that

Suggests proving that something is false, rather than just lessening its impact.

Refute the hypothesis that

Implies a formal and structured rejection of a proposed hypothesis.

FAQs

How can I use "allay the notion that" in a sentence?

You can use "allay the notion that" to introduce information that reduces concerns or doubts about a particular idea. For example, "The new study aims to "allay the notion that" climate change is not a pressing issue".

What are some alternatives to "allay the notion that"?

Alternatives include "dispel the belief that", "reduce the perception that", or "mitigate the idea that", depending on the specific context and the degree of reduction you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "allay the notion that" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "allay the notion that" is more suitable for formal or professional writing. In informal contexts, simpler phrases like "ease the concern that" or "reduce the worry that" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "allay the notion that" and "disprove the notion that"?

"Allay the notion that" suggests reducing concerns or doubts, while "disprove the notion that" implies a complete invalidation of the idea. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the intended degree of disagreement or reassurance.