alleviate a problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alleviate a problem" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing ways to reduce or lessen the severity of an issue or difficulty. Example: "The new policy aims to alleviate a problem that has been affecting employee morale."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Those that get it right though, alleviate a problem you may not have even known you had.

The New York Times - Tech

So, in one sense, the governor is turning to Wall Street financial engineering in part to alleviate a problem caused by Wall Street financial engineering.

The New York Times

Jones's excuse came from a doctor, who told police Jones had been "jumping and jogging in place," while holding his penis in order to alleviate a problem with his bladder.

Vice

(of an action) intended to alleviate a problem without addressing the underlying cause: short-term palliative measures had been taken.

BMC Nursing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"If someone wants to alleviate a financial problem why shouldn't he do that?

Independent

"This is changing how buildings generate power, and helping the city alleviate a huge problem in getting power to buildings," Mr. Smith said.

The New York Times

The ticket cancellations should alleviate a crowding problem for Vanoc, which has received widespread complaints about long lines for food concessions, toilets and buses at Cypress.

The New York Times - Sports

A detailed model study including geology, hydrogeology, engineering geology, and geotechnics, enables the geotechnical designer to alleviate a slide problem.

Engineering Geology

Some skin care products may alleviate a specific problem quickly, but may not be best for long-term use.

WikiHow

This paper discusses the implementation of a helpful technology solution for the community that could alleviate an identified problem common for households in Westwood.

Procedia Engineering

According to Thai writing rules, PM is more deterministic when compared with word and has been shown to alleviate a word segmentation problem [8].

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "alleviate a problem", ensure the context clearly defines the problem being addressed. Specificity strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid implying that "alleviate a problem" completely solves it. The phrase suggests reducing the severity, not necessarily eliminating it entirely. If the intention is a complete solution, use stronger verbs like 'resolve' or 'eradicate'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alleviate a problem" functions as a verb phrase with a direct object. It describes the action of reducing the severity or intensity of an issue. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "alleviate a problem" is a grammatically correct and generally well-regarded expression that denotes reducing the severity of an issue. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English to discuss methods to diminish difficulties. While not extremely common, it appears in reliable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, particularly in news and scientific contexts. When using the phrase, remember that it suggests reducing impact rather than complete resolution and make sure to choose synonyms wisely to precisely convey the meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce an issue

Focuses on the act of lessening the impact or size of a particular issue.

mitigate a difficulty

Emphasizes making a difficulty less severe or painful.

ease a concern

Targets the reduction of worry or anxiety related to a problem.

lessen an obstacle

Directly addresses diminishing the size or impact of something that blocks progress.

resolve a complication

Suggests finding a solution to untangle or clarify a complex problem.

ameliorate a situation

Implies improving an unfavorable situation.

rectify a challenge

Focuses on correcting or setting right a difficult challenge.

diminish a setback

Highlights reducing the negative impact of a reverse or obstacle.

abate a crisis

Indicates a reduction in the intensity or severity of a critical situation.

soothe a pain point

Specifically aims to relieve a source of discomfort or difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "alleviate a problem" in a sentence?

You can use "alleviate a problem" to describe actions that make a problem less severe. For example, "The new policy aims to alleviate a problem that has been affecting employee morale".

What are some alternatives to saying "alleviate a problem"?

Alternatives include "reduce an issue", "mitigate a difficulty", or "ease a concern", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to "alleviate a problem" or "solve a problem"?

"Alleviating a problem" implies reducing its severity, while "solving a problem" means finding a complete solution. The best choice depends on whether the problem is fully resolved or just made more manageable.

What's the difference between "alleviate a problem" and "remedy a problem"?

"Alleviate a problem" suggests providing relief and reducing the intensity of the problem. "Remedy a problem" implies correcting or setting something right to overcome the problem, it's a stronger statement.