is lessened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is lessened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been reduced or diminished in degree, intensity, or amount. Example: "The impact of the storm is lessened by the advanced warning systems in place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Runoff, which collects harmful pollutants, is lessened.

The New York Times

Every piece here is lessened by comparison.

The Guardian - Arts

He gets across the bridge and his fear is lessened.

The New Yorker

And abnormality is lessened by the fact that there are two of them".

The New York Times - Arts

The "mind chatter" is lessened and the "volume" turned down on persistent and negative thought patterns.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Sadly the lure of plunder and nostalgic action is lessened by some annoying niggles.

The Guardian - Tech

Month by month, the ability of response teams to deal with 999 calls is lessened.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The authors of the critique are right to say its force is lessened".

The New York Times

Certainly, a settlement's punitive effect is lessened by any tax sweeteners it generates.

The New York Times

When men shoulder more of the childcare burden, the effect is lessened.

The Economist

Its impact is lessened by the fact that both Deadpool and Ajax are well nigh indestructible.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is lessened" when you want to express a reduction or decrease in something, often implying a gradual or subtle effect. For stronger or more immediate reductions, consider "is reduced" or "is diminished".

Common error

While "is lessened" is generally acceptable, be mindful of its frequency in highly formal or scientific writing. Opt for stronger, more precise alternatives like "is reduced" or "is mitigated" to maintain clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is lessened" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is undergoing a reduction or decrease. Ludwig examples show it used across various contexts to describe a reduction in impact, intensity, or amount.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

48%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is lessened" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate a reduction or decrease, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is appropriate for neutral to formal contexts, including news, science, and business. While it is widely accepted, consider stronger alternatives like "is reduced" or "is mitigated" for greater precision, particularly in highly formal writing. The phrase functions as a passive verb phrase to convey that something is becoming smaller or weaker, which is confirmed by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is reduced

Direct synonym indicating a decrease in quantity or intensity.

is diminished

Similar to "is reduced", but can also imply a loss of importance or status.

is decreased

Implies a measurable reduction.

is mitigated

Focuses on reducing the severity or impact of something negative.

is alleviated

Specifically refers to easing pain or distress.

is weakened

Indicates a reduction in strength or power.

is curtailed

Suggests a restriction or limitation.

is abated

Implies a lessening in intensity or degree, often used for natural phenomena.

is softened

Suggests a less harsh or severe quality.

is eased

Indicates a reduction in difficulty or burden.

FAQs

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

Use "is lessened" to indicate that something has been reduced in degree, intensity, or amount. For instance, "The impact of the storm "is lessened" by the advanced warning systems in place."

What can I say instead of "is lessened"?

You can use alternatives like "is reduced", "is diminished", or "is alleviated" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is lessened" or "is decreased"?

Both ""is lessened"" and "is decreased" are correct, but "is decreased" implies a more measurable reduction, while "is lessened" suggests a more general reduction in intensity or impact.

What's the difference between "is lessened" and "is mitigated"?

"Is lessened" generally means reduced, while "is mitigated" specifically refers to reducing the severity or impact of something negative or harmful.