be less intense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be less intense" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when suggesting that someone or something should reduce the level of intensity, whether in emotions, actions, or situations. Example: "During the discussion, I felt that we needed to be less intense to reach a consensus."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As intensities of the product ions are a composite of the precursor ion, the intensities of the individual product ions will be less intense and consequently are far less likely to result in saturation of the detector.

Analytical Chemistry

Strikes also tend to be less intense, and their repression less violent, when they're legally permissible.

The Washington Post

Counselling is based on similar principles to traditional psychotherapy but tends to be less intense.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It'll be less intense and more adapted for a broader kind of audience," she said.

The New York Times

Cracking and water absorption on the exposed surface of a building were observed to be less intense in oriented specimens.

Construction and Building Materials

Mr. Gore's staff is troubled by surveys showing that support to be less intense than in past campaigns.

The New York Times

Population densities of everything are much lower down there, suggesting the struggle for survival might be less intense.

The Economist

Last year, he co-authored a report that said the state's drought would be less intense without warming, but he did not link warming to human activity.

The Washington Post

By spring, the Israeli and Palestinian fighting may be less intense, a development that would give Arab nations more flexibility in supporting tough American action on Iraq.

The New York Times

In addition, the new chancellor has signalled that fiscal tightening will be scaled back and will be less intense than when the committee has undertaken QE previously.

The Guardian - Business

If there are no pesticides in the sample, the paper will turn blue; if pesticides are present, the color will be less intense depending on the pesticide concentration.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be less intense" when you want to suggest moderation or a decrease in the strength of something, whether it's an emotion, a physical force, or an activity. For instance, "The debate should be less intense to facilitate constructive dialogue."

Common error

While "be less intense" is versatile, consider stronger or more formal alternatives like "decrease in severity" or "mitigate the impact" in highly formal or academic writing to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be less intense" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating a desired or expected reduction in the degree or strength of something. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's a usable phrase in various contexts. Examples from Ludwig show its use across different domains like science, news, and general discourse.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be less intense" is a versatile and commonly used expression that suggests a reduction in strength, emotion, or activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and applicable in various contexts. Usage ranges from scientific discourse to news reporting, making it a valuable phrase for conveying moderation or alleviation. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to consider the register and opt for more formal alternatives in highly professional settings. Its frequency and presence across authoritative sources underscore its reliability and widespread acceptance in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decrease in intensity

Focuses on the reduction of intensity as a process or result, rather than a state of being.

reduce the severity

Emphasizes lessening the harshness or seriousness of something.

soften the impact

Highlights diminishing the effect or consequence of an action or event.

tone down

Suggests a moderation or subduing of expression or behavior.

diminish in strength

Focuses on a decrease in physical or metaphorical power.

alleviate the pressure

Specifically addresses reducing stress or strain.

weaken the effect

Directly targets the reduction of an outcome or influence.

mitigate the force

Emphasizes lessening the impact of a powerful force.

become milder

Indicates a shift towards gentler or more moderate conditions.

ease off

Suggests a gradual reduction in effort or pressure.

FAQs

How can I use "be less intense" in a sentence?

You can use "be less intense" to suggest a reduction in strength, emotion, or activity, such as "The workout needs to "be less intense" to prevent injuries" or "The political climate should "be less intense" to foster better communication".

What can I say instead of "be less intense"?

You can use alternatives like "decrease in intensity", "reduce the severity", or "tone down" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "be less intense" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "be less intense" in a variety of contexts, from describing physical activity to emotional states, where a reduction in strength or fervor is desired or necessary. However, consider the register and opt for more formal alternatives in academic or highly professional settings.

What's the difference between "be less intense" and "soften the impact"?

"Be less intense" generally refers to a reduction in the level of something, while "soften the impact" specifically focuses on reducing the negative effects or consequences of something.