lessen the amount

USAGE SUMMARY

'lessen the amount' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to reducing the quantity of something. For example: "We need to lessen the amount of plastic we use every day if we want to help the environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The reduction of anxiety, for example, may lessen the amount of medication needed to alleviate pain.

Britannica

For items that don't last as long, like meat and milk, you'd lessen the amount of gelatine in the formula".

The Guardian - Tech

Staff from the university would also help train guards in an effort to lessen the amount of physical force that has been used, Mr. Lee said.

The New York Times

His experience was in business, where he could use his leverage and power to convince banks to "take a haircut" or lessen the amount that he owed them.

The New Yorker

After all, intuitively, it might seem that discarding the HOV policy on major streets would lessen the amount of traffic on nearby roads.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Although they freed the housewife from some drudgery, these innovations did little to lessen the amount of time she spent on household duties.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Dust that cools a desert can change local airflow patterns and lessen the amount of rain that falls in surrounding areas.

The Economist

Where corvids are important predators, we recommend that managers maintain reserves that lessen the amount of hard edge per patch area.

Biological Conservation

Dominic Dromgoole Shakespeare's Globe Even from the perspective of an unsubsidised theatre, it would seem perilous to the point of lunacy to lessen the amount of overall subsidy in our culture.

The Guardian - Arts

MetroPool, a nonprofit agency established 25 years ago to lessen the amount of vehicles on the roads, is offering a free on-line service designed by NuRide of Herndon, Va.

The New York Times

What it will do is lessen the amount of electricity we consume.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, specify what you are lessening the amount of. For instance, instead of just saying "lessen the amount", clarify with "lessen the amount of sugar" or "lessen the amount of time spent".

Common error

Avoid using "lessen the amount" without specifying the object or quantity. Vague references can confuse readers. Always clarify what you are reducing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lessen the amount" functions as a verb phrase acting upon a noun phrase. It indicates an action taken to reduce a specific quantity. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

23%

Science

22%

Less common in

Academia

9%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lessen the amount" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to describe reducing a quantity, degree, or intensity. It enjoys widespread use across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general-purpose writing. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is appropriate for various settings and suggests that it's important to specify the substance being reduced to enhance clarity. While alternatives like "reduce the quantity" exist, "lessen the amount" remains a common and acceptable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce the quantity

Replaces "amount" with "quantity", providing a more formal tone.

decrease the quantity

Similar to "reduce the quantity", but emphasizes a downward trend.

diminish the volume

Replaces "amount" with "volume", appropriate when referring to measurable quantities.

curtail the extent

More formal and suggests limiting something that is already in progress.

mitigate the degree

Focuses on reducing the severity or intensity of something.

alleviate the level

Suggests providing relief by lowering a specific level.

minimize the size

Appropriate when the focus is on physical dimensions or proportions.

weaken the intensity

Best suited for reducing the strength or force of something.

lighten the load

More informal and applicable when discussing burdens or responsibilities.

temper the force

Suggests moderating or softening the impact of something.

FAQs

How can I use "lessen the amount" in a sentence?

You can use "lessen the amount" to describe reducing the quantity, degree, or intensity of something. For example: "We need to "reduce the amount" of waste we produce."

What are some alternatives to "lessen the amount"?

Alternatives include "decrease the quantity", "diminish the volume", or "curtail the extent", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "reduce the amount" or "lessen the amount"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and widely understood. "Reduce the amount" might sound slightly more formal, while "lessen the amount" is equally acceptable in most contexts.

Which is correct, "lessen the amount of" or "lessen the number of"?

"Lessen the amount of" is used with uncountable nouns (e.g., water, time), while "lessen the number of" is used with countable nouns (e.g., cars, people).