ease the strain

USAGE SUMMARY

"ease the strain" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to reduce or alleviate the burden or pressure of a difficult situation. It can be used in various contexts, such as in a formal or informal setting, and in both professional and personal situations. Example: The new manager implemented policies to ease the strain on employees who were feeling overwhelmed and stressed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Devaluation can ease the strain of tariffs.

The Guardian - Opinion

The compound bow has wheels and pulleys to ease the strain and stabilize the bow.

The New York Times - Sports

Eventually new plants constructed by new players will ease the strain -- but this will take time.

The New York Times

Around 6 30 p.m., a crew arrived in a box truck to ease the strain.

The New York Times

Nor will the act do much to ease the strain on state budgets.

The New York Times

This will not immediately ease the strain, as it will take years to prepare new units.

The Economist

But the government has begun to revamp child welfare services, promoting adoption to ease the strain on orphanages.

The New York Times

Several government commissions have urged expanded use of secondary airports to ease the strain on the system.

The New York Times

Governments around the world stepped up their efforts to ease the strain on the global financial system.

The New York Times

Arthritis is often linked to obesity, so by losing weight you will ease the strain on your joints.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In California, such courses ease the strain on traffic courts by minimizing the number of disputed citations.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing efforts to improve a situation, use "ease the strain" to highlight the positive impact of those efforts. For instance, “The new policy will "ease the strain" on small businesses.”

Common error

Avoid using "ease the strain" when referring to actions that completely eliminate a problem. The phrase implies a reduction of pressure, not a total removal. Instead use words like resolve or eradicate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ease the strain" functions as a verb phrase, often used transitively to describe the action of reducing pressure, burden, or difficulty. Ludwig's examples show it's commonly used to describe measures taken to alleviate stress on systems, resources, or individuals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ease the strain" is a versatile and commonly used expression that signifies the reduction of pressure or burden. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and widespread application across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. When using this phrase, remember that it suggests a reduction rather than a complete elimination of the problem. Alternatives like "alleviate the pressure" or "reduce the burden" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. By understanding its context and nuances, you can effectively incorporate "ease the strain" into your writing to convey a sense of relief and improvement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alleviate the pressure

Replaces "strain" with "pressure", suggesting a slightly more intense form of burden.

relieve the pressure

Similar to "alleviate the pressure", emphasizing the removal of oppressive force.

reduce the burden

Substitutes "ease the" with "reduce the", focusing on lessening the weight of something.

lighten the load

Uses a more metaphorical term, "load", to represent the difficulty or pressure.

mitigate the stress

Replaces "strain" with "stress", emphasizing the psychological aspect of the burden.

lessen the tension

Focuses on reducing the tightness or pressure, using "tension" instead of "strain".

take the edge off

An idiomatic expression that means to reduce the intensity of something unpleasant.

soften the impact

Emphasizes the reduction of a negative effect or consequence.

cushion the effect

Similar to "soften the impact", highlighting the protection from a negative outcome.

allay concerns

Focuses on reducing worry or anxiety, rather than physical or logistical strain.

FAQs

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

Use "ease the strain" to describe actions or measures that alleviate pressure or difficulty in a situation. For example, "Investing in renewable energy can "ease the strain on" fossil fuel reserves".

What are some alternatives to "ease the strain"?

You can use alternatives such as "alleviate the pressure", "reduce the burden", or "lighten the load" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "ease the strain on" or "ease the strain of"?

Both "ease the strain on" and "ease the strain of" are grammatically correct, but the choice depends on the context. "Ease the strain on" is used when referring to systems or resources, while "ease the strain of" is often used when referring to abstract concepts or efforts.

What's the difference between "ease the strain" and "eliminate the strain"?

"Ease the strain" implies a reduction in pressure or difficulty, whereas "eliminate the strain" suggests a complete removal of the burden. Use "ease the strain" when the intention is to make something more manageable, not to get rid of it entirely.