lessen confidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lessen confidence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing factors or actions that reduce someone's belief in their abilities or the reliability of something. Example: "The constant criticism from her peers began to lessen her confidence in her skills as a writer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's hard to prove and has rarely been done, but cases like Josh's cause others to wonder why it was forced to move ahead and potentially lessen confidence in the Air Force to fairly apply justice.

Huffington Post

For example, if only one of a set of redundant probe sets appears differentially-expressed, should this lessen confidence that the gene itself is changed in response to the treatment being investigated in an experiment?

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Since Jack Straw said last May that he thought the time might be right for a repeal bill to roll back some of the counter-terrorism laws that were no longer "necessary", there have signs of lessening confidence that the current regime could continue.

The Guardian - Opinion

In Rickards's view, the Fed's policy of quantitative easing by lessening confidence in the dollar, may lead to chaos in global financial markets".

Wikipedia

In contrast, Igfbp4 is dowregulated both by SSeCKS overexpression and v-Src activation, lessening confidence that this gene plays a significant role in oncogenesis.

BMC Cancer

Overexpressed Rab11 is located in compartments with a strikingly morphology as compared to endogenous Rab11, which lessens confidence in the utility of the experiments with overexpressed Rab11.

eLife

Concern over the impact of increased competition from the Olympic Stadium, Arsenal's Emirates Stadium and Twickenham has also lessened amid confidence that the number of music acts and other sporting events capable of keeping the tills ringing has expanded.

The Guardian - Sport

Jarvis could not help but hear the cries for his firing from fans during the Hofstra game, but he said he ignored them.Losing has not sapped his resolve or lessened his confidence in his coaching abilities.

The New York Times - Sports

However, male youth participation in TVET demonstrated effects that were not statistically different from zero, lessening our confidence in this result.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

She considered that asking clients for help would have lessened their confidence in her ability to complete the job.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

This finding runs counter to those studies [ 17- 19], showing that decision makers' confidence lessens under time pressure and tends to increase with the amount of time spent on tasks.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lessen confidence", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is causing the reduction in confidence. Providing specific details will strengthen your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "lessen confidence" when you intend to convey a complete loss of confidence. "Erode confidence" or "destroy confidence" might be more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lessen confidence" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "lessen" acts as a transitive verb taking "confidence" as its direct object. This describes an action that diminishes or reduces the degree of certainty or self-assurance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lessen confidence" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes a reduction in certainty or self-assurance. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's applicable across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While not as frequent as other similar phrases, "lessen confidence" effectively conveys a gradual decline in belief. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the cause of the reduction in confidence to enhance the impact of your message. Some alternatives are "reduce certainty" and "weaken conviction".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce certainty

Focuses more on the aspect of certainty rather than the emotional state of confidence.

weaken conviction

Emphasizes a diminishing strength in one's beliefs or principles.

undermine assurance

Highlights the act of gradually eroding a sense of self-assuredness.

erode faith

Focuses on the gradual destruction of trust or belief in something.

shake belief

Suggests a forceful impact that disturbs one's conviction.

diminish trust

Emphasizes a reduction in the level of reliance or faith placed in someone or something.

dampen enthusiasm

Shifts the focus to reducing excitement or eagerness, which can indirectly affect confidence.

lower expectations

Focuses on adjusting anticipated outcomes, which can impact one's sense of confidence.

curtail optimism

Implies a restriction or reduction in a positive outlook, potentially affecting confidence.

impair self-esteem

Highlights a negative impact on one's sense of self-worth, which is closely related to confidence.

FAQs

How can I use "lessen confidence" in a sentence?

You can use "lessen confidence" to describe situations where someone's belief in their abilities or the reliability of something is reduced. For example: "The constant setbacks began to lessen his confidence in the project."

What are some alternatives to "lessen confidence"?

You can use alternatives like "reduce certainty", "weaken conviction", or "undermine assurance" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "lessen confidence" and "erode confidence"?

"Lessen confidence" implies a gradual reduction, while "erode confidence" suggests a more destructive and progressive decline. The phrase "erode confidence" indicates a more significant impact over time.

Is it better to say "decrease confidence" or "lessen confidence"?

Both "decrease confidence" and "lessen confidence" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on stylistic preference and the specific nuance you want to convey. "Lessen" might imply a more gradual or subtle reduction than "decrease confidence".