lessen by half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lessen by half" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a reduction in quantity, size, or intensity, specifically indicating a decrease to 50% of the original amount. Example: "The new policy aims to lessen by half the amount of waste produced by the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

In a crafty move, the Fed cut the excess charge by half in mid-August and stage-managed borrowing by some obviously solvent banks to lessen the stigma of using the discount facility.

The Economist

Perhaps even half by half.

Independent

Too optimistic by half?

The Economist

Prices fell by half.

The New Yorker

Not by half.

The New York Times

GDP has fallen by half.

The Economist

Yes, too clever by half.

The New York Times - Arts

Reduce the liquid by half.

The New York Times

By 1950, it had dropped by half.

The Guardian - Business

By half!

Forbes

"Too slick by half.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lessen by half", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being reduced. Providing specific metrics or examples enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by specifying the original quantity or baseline before stating that something will "lessen by half". Without this context, the statement can be unclear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lessen by half" functions primarily as a verb phrase that describes an action of reduction. It specifies the extent of the reduction, indicating a decrease to 50% of the initial value. According to Ludwig AI, this is a correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lessen by half" is a grammatically correct way to express a reduction to 50% of an original quantity, amount, or intensity. While not as common as alternatives like "reduce by 50%" or "cut in half", it serves the same purpose of quantifying a decrease. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what is being lessened to avoid ambiguity. Although examples are rare, the phrase is suitable for neutral to formal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce by 50%

Specifies a precise percentage decrease, making it quantitatively explicit.

decrease by half

Replaces "lessen" with "decrease", offering a direct synonym while maintaining the same structure.

cut in half

Uses a more informal and direct term, "cut", to convey a halving of something.

halve

Condenses the phrase into a single verb, indicating the action of reducing to half.

mitigate by 50 percent

Replaces "lessen" with "mitigate", implying a reduction in severity with the explicit 50 percent value.

diminish by half

Substitutes "lessen" with "diminish", suggesting a gradual reduction in size or importance.

decline by 50%

Employs "decline" to indicate a downward trend or reduction by the specified percentage.

scale down by 50%

Uses "scale down" to suggest a proportional reduction, explicitly mentioning the percentage.

reduce to fifty percent

Rephrases to emphasize the final percentage after reduction.

drop by half

Indicates a quick or sudden decrease.

FAQs

What does "lessen by half" mean?

The phrase "lessen by half" means to reduce something to 50% of its original amount. It implies a decrease in quantity, size, or intensity.

Is it better to say "reduce by half" or "lessen by half"?

Both phrases are correct, but "reduce by half" is more common and direct. "Lessen by half" is slightly more formal but conveys the same meaning.

Can I use "decrease by half" instead of "lessen by half"?

Yes, "decrease by half" is a suitable alternative. It provides a synonymous meaning, focusing on the reduction in quantity or amount.

What's a concise way to say "lessen by half"?

A concise way to say "lessen by half" is to use the verb "halve", which directly means to reduce something to half its original amount.