alleviate the strain

USAGE SUMMARY

"alleviate the strain" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to reduce or relieve pressure or tension. Example: "Taking breaks throughout the work day can help alleviate the strain on your eyes and back from sitting at a desk for long periods of time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

As parties gear up for 2015, Labour has promised to alleviate the strain on hard-working parents with an increase in state-funded childcare.

The Guardian

As pressure mounts to alleviate the strain on our ailing health system, as our economy continues to falter and as the demand for safe, healthy and affordable travel options builds, now could be the time for action.

The Guardian - Opinion

This regional integration could accelerate the creation of regional peacekeeping forces, which could alleviate the strain on American forces in Iraq and the international forces in Afghanistan, as well as to stabilize Colombia and Indonesia.

The New York Times

To alleviate the strain on the city, Wittenberg canceled several prerace events, but the Javits Convention Center would open as planned on Thursday so runners could pick up their numbers.

The New York Times - Sports

The financial pressure on Wilpon will now continue to mount, and his preference to sell 20 to 25 percent of the Mets to alleviate the strain, a plan that he announced a week ago, may not turn out to be enough of a remedy.

The New York Times

Another method some organizations use to alleviate the strain on personnel is to use so-called automated solutions to supplement a sparse security team.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

The central bank said it would provide funds at a three-month maturity and would accept "mortgage collateral" at an auction of £10 billion ($20 billion) in loans next week to "alleviate the strains in longer-maturity money markets".

The New York Times

Moreover we found that the uniform carbon-coating layer on the surface of CTO NTs played roles of a good conductor and a structure buffer to alleviate the strains from the volume variation of CTO NTs cores.

Applied Surface Science

They found the coated carbon arrays not only ensure good electrical contact of ZnO with the current collector and enhance the charge transfer/Li+ transport, but also effectively alleviate the strains caused by the volume variation of ZnO nanorod cores and prevent the disintegration.

Nano-Micro Letters

It alleviates the strain on consumers' pockets".

The New York Times

The outward flow of people alleviated the strain on local resources (notably housing, water supplies, and food production) while boosting many families' incomes with remittances of cash and consumer goods.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "alleviate the strain", clearly identify what is causing the strain to provide context and ensure the solution's relevance. For instance, "Implementing flexible work hours can alleviate the strain on working parents."

Common error

Avoid using "alleviate the strain" as a complete solution when it only provides temporary relief. For example, while providing more resources may "alleviate the strain" on a department, it doesn't necessarily address the underlying systemic issues causing the workload problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alleviate the strain" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, indicating an action taken to reduce pressure, burden, or difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "alleviate the strain" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that means to reduce or relieve pressure. Ludwig AI confirms this. It is common in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. Related phrases include "ease the strain", "relieve the strain", and "reduce the strain". When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the cause of the strain and understand that it may offer relief but not necessarily a complete solution. While generally neutral, the choice between "strain" and "stress" depends on whether you refer to systemic pressures or personal anxieties.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

diminish the strain

Changes the verb to "diminish", implying a gradual reduction rather than immediate relief.

ease the strain

Replaces "alleviate" with "ease", suggesting a gentler reduction of the burden.

relieve the strain

Uses "relieve" instead of "alleviate", conveying a sense of providing comfort or respite.

reduce the strain

Employs "reduce", indicating a lessening of the intensity or degree of pressure.

lessen the strain

Substitutes "alleviate" with "lessen", suggesting a decrease in the amount or severity of the strain.

mitigate the strain

Replaces "alleviate" with "mitigate", suggesting an action that reduces the severity or impact of the strain.

lighten the burden

Shifts the focus to the "burden" instead of "strain", implying a reduction in weight or difficulty.

take the pressure off

Uses a more idiomatic expression focusing on removing pressure from a situation or person.

soften the impact

Focuses on reducing the negative effects or consequences of a strain.

cushion the blow

Employs an idiomatic expression that emphasizes protection from a negative impact.

FAQs

How can I use "alleviate the strain" in a sentence?

You can use "alleviate the strain" to describe actions that reduce pressure, stress, or burden in various contexts. For example, "The new policy aims to alleviate the strain on small businesses".

What are some alternatives to saying "alleviate the strain"?

You can use alternatives such as "ease the strain", "relieve the strain", or "reduce the strain" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "alleviate the strain" or "alleviate the stress"?

Both "alleviate the strain" and "alleviate the stress" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Strain" often refers to pressure on resources or systems, while "stress" typically refers to emotional or mental pressure. The choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "alleviate the strain" and "mitigate the impact"?

"Alleviate the strain" focuses on reducing the pressure itself, while "mitigate the impact" centers on lessening the negative effects or consequences of something. "Alleviate the strain" suggests making something easier to handle, while "mitigate the impact" suggests protecting against adverse outcomes.