have lessened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have lessened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has decreased or diminished over time. Example: "The severity of the storm warnings have lessened significantly since yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Since starting therapy, his fantasies have lessened.

Princeton University

She said her symptoms have lessened.

The New York Times

Those disadvantages have lessened since about the 1970s.

The New York Times

And they have lessened as time has moved on.

Independent

The calls to split a quiche have lessened.

The New York Times - Food

A Legacy of Pain and Loss The funerals have lessened.

The New York Times

Indeed Rooney's struggles have lessened the focus on other issues.

The Guardian - Sport

It appears to have lessened a little in recent years, and arguably lessens here.

The Guardian - Film

That doesn't mean poverty has disappeared, of course, though its material hardships have lessened significantly.

The New York Times

But the stigma and fear have lessened over time, and our treatment arsenal has grown exponentially.

The New York Times

But rising fears of terrorism have lessened public hostility to surveillance cameras in the West.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have lessened", consider the context. For formal writing, it is an acceptable and clear phrase. For creative writing, consider stronger verbs to add impact.

Common error

Ensure the tense is consistent throughout the sentence when using "have lessened". Avoid shifting between past and present tenses without a clear reason.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have lessened" functions as a verb phrase, specifically in the present perfect tense. It indicates that an action of decreasing or diminishing has occurred and is completed, having a result that may still be relevant. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have lessened" is a versatile and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe a reduction in something over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is standard and applicable in many writing contexts. The phrase appears "very common" across diverse sources, especially news and media outlets. When employing "have lessened", ensure your tense is consistent and the subject is clear. For alternatives, consider phrases like "have decreased" or "have diminished" for nuanced meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have decreased

Focuses on a measurable reduction or decline.

have diminished

Emphasizes a gradual fading or weakening.

have reduced

Highlights the act of making something smaller or less.

have declined

Suggests a downward trend or deterioration.

have alleviated

Implies a lessening of pain, suffering, or difficulty.

have mitigated

Focuses on reducing the severity or impact of something negative.

have subsided

Indicates a calming down or settling of something intense.

have eased

Suggests a gradual reduction in pressure or tension.

have abated

Similar to subsided, but often used for natural phenomena.

have weakened

Implies a loss of strength or intensity.

FAQs

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

The phrase "have lessened" is used to indicate that something has decreased in intensity, quantity, or significance. For example, "The severity of the symptoms "have lessened" since starting the new medication."

What are some alternatives to "have lessened"?

You can use alternatives such as "have decreased", "have diminished", or "have reduced" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "has lessened" instead of "have lessened"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "has lessened" with singular subjects (e.g., "The pain has lessened"), and "have lessened" with plural subjects (e.g., "The concerns have lessened").

What's the difference between "have lessened" and "have eased"?

"Have lessened" generally means a decrease in amount or intensity. "Have eased" often implies a reduction in pressure or difficulty. For example, "The restrictions "have lessened"," versus "The burden have eased."