lessen risk

USAGE SUMMARY

"lessen risk" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to any action that is intended to reduce the chances of a negative outcome occurring. For example, "The company invested in additional safety protocols to lessen risk of accidents on the worksite."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

A nuclear critic with extensive technical expertise, David Lochbaum of the Union of Concerned Scientists, said moving fuel into casks could increase or lessen risk, depending on how it was done.

The New York Times

But most people are not taking any steps to lessen risk, the survey said: they have not diversified their holdings, increased the allocation of bonds in their portfolios or reduced their exposure to stock.

The New York Times

Economic interdependence would lessen risk, improve the quality of life for normal North Koreans and disperse power within the country.

Forbes

Our challenge, as corporate leaders, is to continue to lessen risk, protect our employees and increase our safety culture.

HuffPost

The parameters for these wellness programs, crafted by each insurer, could be used by the insurers as a means to educate and motivate their members, lessen risk and as a point of differentiation in their sales/marketing efforts to attract new members, just as all major automotive insurers have done through "safe driver" programs.

Huffington Post

20 Physical activity and a mediterranean diet, often advocated to lessen risk of vascular disease, are also associated with a reduced risk of dementia and cognitive decline.

Clinical interventions in aging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The researchers argue that FEMA and Congress ought to make such programs contingent on communities doing everything possible to lessen risks, including pulling back from the shoreline.

The Washington Post

Still, Ostfeld suggested that the huge volume of water Sandy is expected to bring should dilute the pathogens and lessen risks to public health.

HuffPost

Adaptive strategies to lessen risks, plus public health preparedness, can help build community resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate change.

Environmental Health Perspectives

That has occurred partly because of lessening risk aversion among investors, and partly because of increased liquidity in markets like municipal bonds.

The New York Times

"It was felt that the benign purpose of the survey would spread quickly by word of mouth among households, thus lessening risk to interviewers," it said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal contexts, consider using "mitigate risk" as a more sophisticated alternative to "lessen risk".

Common error

Be cautious about implying that actions completely eliminate risk. Instead, emphasize that measures are being taken to "lessen" or "mitigate" risk, acknowledging that some level of uncertainty may still exist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lessen risk" functions as a verb phrase where "lessen" acts as a transitive verb taking "risk" as its direct object. It describes the action of making a risk smaller or less significant. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and common.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lessen risk" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that describes the act of reducing the likelihood or severity of a potential negative outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reputable sources. It's a neutral term, suitable for various contexts including news, science, and general discussions. While "lessen risk" is effective, alternatives like "reduce risk" or "mitigate risk" may be appropriate depending on the desired nuance. Remember to use "lessen risk" when you want to convey the intention of diminishing potential harm, while acknowledging that complete elimination of risk might not always be possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce risk

Emphasizes a direct action to diminish the likelihood or severity of a potential negative outcome.

mitigate risk

Suggests strategies or actions taken to alleviate or minimize the impact of potential risks.

minimize risk

Focuses on reducing risk to the smallest possible level.

decrease risk

Indicates a reduction in the probability or magnitude of potential harm.

lower risk

Similar to 'reduce risk' but may imply a more gradual or incremental decrease.

curtail risk

Implies restricting or limiting exposure to potential risks.

alleviate risk

Focuses on easing or relieving the burden of potential risks.

temper risk

Suggests moderating or softening the potential impact of risks.

attenuate risk

Implies weakening or reducing the force of potential risks.

control risk

Highlights the act of managing and keeping risk within acceptable bounds.

FAQs

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

You can use "lessen risk" to describe actions taken to reduce the likelihood or severity of a negative outcome. For example: "The company implemented new safety protocols to "lessen risk" of workplace accidents."

What are some alternatives to "lessen risk"?

Some alternatives to "lessen risk" include "reduce risk", "mitigate risk", or "minimize risk", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "lessen risk" formal or informal?

"Lessen risk" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal or technical writing, phrases like "mitigate risk" might be preferred.

What's the difference between "lessen risk" and "eliminate risk"?

"Lessen risk" implies a reduction in the probability or severity of a risk, while "eliminate risk" suggests complete removal of the risk. It's often more realistic to aim to "lessen risk" rather than entirely eliminating it.