alleviate the atmosphere

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alleviate the atmosphere" is not correct in standard English usage.
It is not typically used, as "alleviate" is generally associated with relieving pain or distress rather than describing an atmosphere. Example: "To alleviate the atmosphere of tension in the room, she suggested a light-hearted game."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Plan a semi-jokey line that will immediately alleviate the atmosphere between the two of you and restore normal working relations.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The strategy of exploiting photosynthesizing microalgal cultures to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from flue gases through fixation has potential in effectively diminishing the release of CO2 to the atmosphere, helping alleviate the trend toward global warming.

Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies - 6th International Conference Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies 1 – 4 October 2002, Kyoto, Japan

The study demonstrates that knowledge heterogeneity impact EDT performance negatively in some cases, and effective knowledge reuse and good team atmosphere help alleviate the negative effects to a certain extent.

International Journal of Project Management

"The humanist ethic accepts an increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere as a small price to pay, if worldwide industrial development can alleviate the miseries of the poorer half of humanity".

The Guardian - Opinion

The new policy should alleviate the problem.

The Economist

New rules aim to alleviate the problem.

The New York Times

It certainly helps alleviate the inevitable boredom.

The Guardian - Money

This paper aims to alleviate the need.

Plosone

This will alleviate the itching.

WikiHow

This will thus alleviate the stigma.

WikiHow

Use medication to alleviate the pain.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to improve a situation's emotional tone, consider using more common and readily understood phrases like "lighten the mood" or "ease the tension" instead of using the phrase "alleviate the atmosphere".

Common error

Avoid using "alleviate" when describing an atmosphere because it usually refers to easing pain, suffering, or a problem. Focus on words that denote emotional states or environmental qualities to better describe and improve the atmosphere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alleviate the atmosphere" functions as a verb phrase where "alleviate" (verb) acts upon "the atmosphere" (noun phrase). However, Ludwig AI indicates this usage is not standard, as "alleviate" typically refers to relieving tangible issues like pain or suffering.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "alleviate the atmosphere" is technically understandable, it's not considered standard English. Ludwig AI suggests that it's more appropriate to use phrases like "lighten the mood" or "ease the tension" to convey the idea of improving or making a situation's emotional environment more pleasant. Although sources like The New York Times and The Economist use variations of the phrase, it remains infrequent and may sound awkward to native English speakers. Using more common expressions ensures clarity and avoids potential misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Soften the atmosphere

Replaces "alleviate" with "soften", focusing on reducing harshness or tension. Emphasizes gentleness in changing mood.

Lighten the mood

Shifts the focus to "mood" instead of "atmosphere", suggesting making the situation less serious or heavy.

Ease the tension

Focuses on reducing strain or anxiety, targeting the specific negative aspect of the atmosphere.

Improve the ambiance

Uses "ambiance", referring to the general feeling or character of a place, and suggests making it better overall.

Create a more relaxed environment

Emphasizes creating a calmer and less stressed setting, shifting from direct action to a resulting state.

Foster a positive climate

Replaces "atmosphere" with "climate", implying a long-term emotional environment, and aims for encouragement and optimism.

Diffuse the tension

Uses "diffuse", highlighting the act of scattering or spreading out the tension to reduce its intensity.

Calm the situation

Focuses on bringing a sense of peace and tranquility to the circumstances.

Ameliorate the environment

Replaces "alleviate" with the more formal "ameliorate", suggesting an improvement to the surrounding conditions.

Neutralize the negativity

Targets the removal of negative elements present in the atmosphere.

FAQs

What does it mean to "alleviate" something?

"Alleviate" generally means to make suffering, deficiency, or a problem less severe. For example, you might alleviate pain with medication or alleviate poverty with social programs.

Is it correct to say "alleviate the atmosphere"?

While technically understandable, "alleviate the atmosphere" is not standard English. It's better to use phrases like "lighten the mood" or "ease the tension".

What are some ways to describe a positive change in a tense situation?

You can say the tension was "defused", the situation "calmed down", or the "mood lightened".

What is the difference between "atmosphere" and "mood"?

"Atmosphere" refers to the overall feeling or ambiance of a place or situation, while "mood" typically describes a person's emotional state. While related, they aren't always interchangeable.