dampen enthusiasm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'dampen enthusiasm' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or attitude in which someone's optimism or excitement is challenged or reduced. For example: "The bad news quickly dampened enthusiasm among the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the modest turnouts did not appear to dampen enthusiasm.

The New York Times

But the precautions did little to dampen enthusiasm.

The New York Times

Should the Groupon share price fizzle, it could dampen enthusiasm for the broad sector.

The New York Times

Legal institutions and the cable TV culture dampen enthusiasm by punishing failure so remorselessly.

The New York Times

The quality of the opponent and the chillier weather can dampen enthusiasm as well.

The New York Times - Sports

Meanwhile, others warned that the Title I provisions could dampen enthusiasm for larger I.P.O.'s, too.

The New York Times

He is trying to dampen enthusiasm for the Democrats' biggest fundraiser?

The Washington Post

A small transaction tax could also dampen enthusiasm for short-term trading.

The Washington Post

ALL IT TAKES IS ONE flawed deal to dampen enthusiasm for taking partners.

The New York Times - Magazine

Underwhelming results from early cognitive initiatives can dampen enthusiasm for further exploration.

Harvard Business Review

Subtle pecking-order arrangements emerge that can dampen enthusiasm or exaggerate one individual's organizing skills.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dampen enthusiasm" when you want to describe a situation or factor that reduces excitement or eagerness, but doesn't completely eliminate it. For example, "The rainy weather dampened enthusiasm for the outdoor concert, but many people still attended."

Common error

Be careful not to use "dampen enthusiasm" when the excitement is entirely extinguished. Instead, consider phrases like "kill excitement" or "destroy morale" if the effect is absolute.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dampen enthusiasm" functions as a verb phrase, where "dampen" acts as a transitive verb modifying the noun "enthusiasm". It describes the act of reducing or lessening the intensity of enthusiasm. Ludwig examples demonstrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dampen enthusiasm" is a commonly used and grammatically correct verb phrase that describes the reduction of excitement or eagerness. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is frequently found in news and media, as well as formal business and scientific contexts. While alternatives exist, such as "reduce excitement" or "curb zeal", "dampen enthusiasm" offers a nuanced way to express a decrease in positive sentiment without complete elimination. When using this phrase, it's crucial to avoid overstating the effect, ensuring that the context aligns with a reduction, rather than a complete extinguishment, of enthusiasm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce excitement

This alternative is a more direct and straightforward way of expressing a decrease in excitement.

diminish eagerness

This alternative uses "diminish" to suggest a gradual reduction in eagerness.

curb zeal

This alternative uses a different verb and noun to convey a similar meaning of restricting intense emotion.

lessen passion

This alternative focuses on reducing strong feelings of passion.

cool ardor

This option employs more figurative language suggesting a decrease in intense affection or fervor.

restrain fervor

This alternative highlights controlling or holding back intense and passionate feelings.

discourage excitement

This alternative focuses on actively trying to prevent or reduce excitement.

sap morale

This alternative is more about reducing the overall spirit and confidence of a group.

undermine optimism

This alternative directly targets the reduction of positive expectations and hope.

temper expectations

This alternative emphasizes adjusting or moderating anticipation to a more realistic level.

FAQs

How can I use "dampen enthusiasm" in a sentence?

You can use "dampen enthusiasm" to describe something that reduces excitement or eagerness, as in, "The company's poor financial results dampened enthusiasm for the new product launch."

What are some alternatives to saying "dampen enthusiasm"?

Alternatives include "reduce excitement", "curb zeal", or "diminish eagerness", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "dampen enthusiasm" or "kill enthusiasm"?

"Dampen enthusiasm" implies a reduction in excitement, while "kill enthusiasm" suggests a complete destruction of it. The appropriate choice depends on the degree to which the enthusiasm is affected.

What kind of situations typically "dampen enthusiasm"?

Events like unexpected setbacks, negative news, or unfavorable conditions often "undermine optimism" and "dampen enthusiasm".