have been lessened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been lessened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been reduced or diminished over a period of time. Example: "The negative effects of the policy have been lessened due to the new regulations implemented last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

"Our esthetic worries have been lessened by our economic problems," Mr. Iger added.

The New York Times

The problems of semantic ambiguity have been lessened — by paying pretty much no attention whatsoever to semantics.

The New York Times - Magazine

If the Met had addressed stop and search, the chances of the riots happening would have been lessened".

The Guardian

Maybe the tragedy of the dust bowl would have been lessened !!!! YES – climate matters tremendously in how and whether life can adapt, including us.

Columbia University

The feeling of bombardment would have been lessened in the radio broadcast but, in Hoddinott Hall itself, it felt most unsubtle.

The Guardian - Music

Our World Cup humiliation, for instance, would have been lessened if we hadn't been quite so bothered about progressing to the knockouts – and we might have played better.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

The democratic power they have has been lessened, and now they are asset-stripping the country.

The Guardian - Music

"The supply has been lessened by one potential guy, and presumably the demand remains the same".

The New York Times - Sports

The pain from the high prices has been lessened recently for foreigners visiting the town.

The New York Times - Sports

That has been lessened in the past decade by stringent new safety rules.

The Economist

Only the cost has been lessened, the cost of doing it.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider alternative phrases such as "have been reduced", "have been diminished", or "have been mitigated" to add variety to your writing and precisely convey the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "have been lessened" when a complete removal is intended; phrases like "have been eliminated" or "have been resolved" are more appropriate in such contexts. "Have been lessened" implies a partial, not complete, reduction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been lessened" functions as a passive voice construction indicating a reduction in something. Ludwig AI and the examples show it often describes a decrease in intensity, impact, or amount.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been lessened" is a grammatically correct and usable construction in English, indicating that something has been reduced in intensity, impact, or amount. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While alternatives such as ""have been reduced"" or ""have been diminished"" exist, "have been lessened" offers a nuanced way to convey a partial reduction. It's crucial to ensure clarity by specifying what exactly has undergone this reduction. Although deemed 'uncommon' in frequency, its presence in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times underscores its reliability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been reduced

Replaces 'lessened' with a more direct synonym, focusing on the act of decreasing.

have been diminished

Implies a reduction in importance or status, as well as size or effect.

have been mitigated

Focuses on reducing the severity or painfulness of something negative.

have been alleviated

Suggests a complete removal or relief from suffering or difficulty.

have been eased

Implies a reduction in pressure or burden, making something more manageable.

have been softened

Suggests a reduction in harshness or intensity.

have been curtailed

Focuses on limiting or restricting something.

have been weakened

Implies a loss of strength or effectiveness.

have been weakened

Suggests making something weaker, not as strong or effective.

have been abated

Implies a reduction in intensity or degree, typically something negative.

FAQs

How can I use "have been lessened" in a sentence?

Use "have been lessened" to indicate a reduction in intensity, impact, or amount. For example, "The negative effects of the policy "have been lessened" due to the new regulations".

What are some alternatives to "have been lessened"?

Alternatives include "have been reduced", "have been diminished", "have been mitigated", or "have been eased". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the pain has been lessened"?

Yes, "the pain has been lessened" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate that the intensity of pain has decreased. You could also say "the pain "has been alleviated"" or "the pain "has been reduced"".

What is the difference between "have been lessened" and "have been eliminated"?

"Have been lessened" implies a partial reduction, while "have been eliminated" suggests a complete removal. Use "have been lessened" when something is still present but less severe; use "have been eliminated" when it is entirely gone.