be softened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be softened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the process of making something less harsh or intense, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The harsh criticism was meant to be softened before it reached the team to avoid demoralizing them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The media's reporting of these crimes should not be softened.

The New York Times

Even parkas might be softened with a baby-pink lining.

The New York Times

Even some business leaders have suggested the law be softened.

The Economist

Few, if any, hearts would be softened in the process.

The New York Times

In theory, the blow of higher rates can be softened by letting currencies fall.

The Economist

The zero increases could be softened by a one-time bonus payment.

The New York Times

Austerity agreements need to be softened to allow for growth measures to address high joblessness.

The New York Times

First, the market needs to be softened up for bad news.

The New York Times

As the mineral quartz, the compound may be softened by heating and shaped into glassware.

Encyclopedia Britannica

So if our advertising could be softened and still work, they'd be all for it.

The New York Times - Magazine

Some like Ms. Yaggy argue that calluses should only be softened, not pared down.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be softened" in technical contexts (e.g., materials science), ensure the surrounding language clearly indicates whether you are discussing a physical property change or a metaphorical effect. This prevents ambiguity and maintains precision.

Common error

Avoid using "be softened" when describing precise physical changes where more specific terms like "be plasticized", "be annealed", or "be tempered" offer greater accuracy. Using "be softened" can sometimes lack the precision needed in technical writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be softened" primarily functions as a passive verb construction. Ludwig's examples show it used in contexts where something is acted upon to become less harsh or rigid, both literally and figuratively. This passive construction emphasizes the object undergoing the change rather than the agent causing it.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

22%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

13%

Formal & Business

10%

Unknown/unmatched sources

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be softened" is a versatile passive construction used to describe the process of making something less harsh, intense, or rigid. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts, ranging from News & Media to Science. When using "be softened", consider the specific context to choose the most appropriate synonym for greater precision. While broadly applicable, understanding its communicative purpose allows for effective and nuanced writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be alleviated

Suggests a reduction in pain, suffering, or severity, focusing on easing a negative state.

be mitigated

Implies lessening the impact or severity of something, often a negative consequence.

be tempered

Indicates moderating or toning down something, often to achieve a balance or compromise.

be lessened

A general term for reducing in size, amount, or intensity.

be eased

Suggests making something less difficult or burdensome.

be weakened

Indicates a reduction in strength or intensity.

be reduced

A broad term meaning to make smaller or less in amount, degree, or size.

be moderated

Implies adjusting something to a suitable level or degree.

be subdued

Suggests bringing something under control or reducing its intensity.

be sweetened

Implies making something more agreeable or palatable.

FAQs

How can I use "be softened" in a sentence?

The phrase "be softened" is used to describe the process of making something less harsh, intense, or rigid. For example, "The butter must "be softened" before you combine it with the other ingredients" or "Opposition to the third generation biofuels may "be softened"."

What are some alternatives to "be softened"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "be alleviated", "be mitigated", or "be tempered" to convey a similar meaning.

Which is correct, "be softened" or "being softened"?

Both phrases can be correct, but they have different usages. "Be softened" is often used in passive voice constructions, such as "The regulations need to "be softened"". "Being softened" is used in continuous tenses, such as "The dough is "being softened" before baking."

What does it mean when something "needs to be softened"?

When something "needs to be softened", it implies that it currently possesses undesirable qualities such as harshness, rigidity, or intensity. The aim is to reduce these qualities to improve acceptability or manageability. For instance, criticism might need to "be softened" to avoid demoralizing a team.