lessen or resolve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lessen or resolve" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the reduction or solution of a problem or issue. Example: "The new policy aims to lessen or resolve the ongoing conflicts within the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Acute attacks of urticaria and/or angioedema are typically self-limited; swelling typically lessens or resolves over the course of 24 h.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Without any critical voices to lessen your resolve, or singles/Soundcloud leaks to help shape your opinion, your only choice was to shell out $16... not the 99-cents price tag Gaga put on Born This Way, which proved absolutely nothing.

Vice

Of ambivalence or resolve?

The Guardian - Opinion

Or resolve at all.

The Washington Post

Why not "guts" or "resolve"?

The New York Times

Gen. Edwin Meese III issued a statement saying that Camarena's death "will not lessen the resolve of the government of the United States in its efforts to enforce the drug trafficking laws of this nation". "We will follow these terrorists wherever they flee, and we will expand our efforts until they and all of their conspirators are brought to justice," he emphasized.

Los Angeles Times

You do not answer or resolve anything.

WikiHow

But the slogging hours of the writing day never alter or lessen or, really, change much.

The New Yorker

The hope was that income inequality would finally lessen, or at least stop growing.

The New York Times

Efforts to lessen or to eliminate the conditions that cause accidents are known as safety measures.

Industrial Machinery Repair Best Maintenance Practices Pocket Guide

Do you think it will lessen, or eventually end NBC's interest in carrying M.L.S. games?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lessen or resolve", ensure the context allows for both a reduction in severity and a potential complete solution. If only one outcome is possible, choose a phrase that reflects that specific outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "lessen or resolve" when the problem inherently cannot be fully resolved. For instance, saying "lessen or resolve death" is inappropriate, as death cannot be resolved, only its impact lessened.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lessen or resolve" functions as a conjunction phrase, combining two verbs to express a dual approach to addressing a problem. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, suggesting that it's a valid and meaningful expression for discussing problem-solving strategies.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

29%

Wiki

28%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lessen or resolve" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that conveys a dual approach to problem-solving, aiming to both reduce the impact of a problem and potentially find a complete solution. Ludwig AI confirms this, highlighting its validity in English writing. While not exceptionally common, it's versatile enough for use in various contexts, ranging from science and news to more informal settings like wikis. When considering alternatives, phrases like "reduce or fix" or "mitigate or solve" offer similar meanings with slight variations in nuance. Remember to use it when the context allows for both mitigation and potential resolution for accuracy in the usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce or fix

Replaces "lessen" with the more direct "reduce" and "resolve" with the actionable "fix".

mitigate or solve

"Mitigate" implies reducing the severity, while "solve" suggests a complete resolution.

alleviate or address

"Alleviate" focuses on easing the burden, while "address" suggests taking action.

diminish or remedy

"Diminish" indicates a decrease in impact, and "remedy" implies correcting a problem.

ease or correct

"Ease" suggests making something less severe, and "correct" implies fixing an error.

weaken or resolve

Use "weaken" when something loses strenght or power. The use of "resolve" is preserved.

abate or rectify

"Abate" suggests a decrease in intensity, and "rectify" implies making something right.

curtail or settle

"Curtail" means to reduce or restrict, while "settle" suggests reaching a conclusion.

ameliorate or reconcile

"Ameliorate" suggests improving a situation, and "reconcile" implies restoring harmony.

lighten or unravel

"Lighten" implies making something less heavy or burdensome, and "unravel" suggests solving a complex problem.

FAQs

How can I use "lessen or resolve" in a sentence?

Use "lessen or resolve" when you want to indicate that efforts are being made to both reduce the negative impact of something and potentially find a complete solution. For example, "The new policy aims to lessen or resolve the ongoing conflicts within the team."

What are some alternatives to "lessen or resolve"?

You can use alternatives like "reduce or fix", "mitigate or solve", or "alleviate or address" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "lessen or resolve"?

While both words relate to addressing a problem, "lessen" implies a reduction in severity, while "resolve" implies a complete solution. Using both covers the spectrum of possible outcomes, so it's not necessarily redundant but emphasizes a comprehensive approach.

What's the difference between "lessen or resolve" and "reduce or eliminate"?

"Lessen or resolve" suggests both mitigating and potentially solving a problem, whereas "reduce or eliminate" focuses on decreasing or completely removing the problem. "Resolve" implies finding a solution, while "eliminate" focuses on eradication.