lessen the burden

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lessen the burden" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the idea of making something more manageable, or less taxing. For example, you could say, "We can lessen the burden by delegating tasks amongst our staff members."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Reference

Social Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

to lessen the burden of disease and its economic costs.

University of California, Berkeley

Having the cellphone in hand doesn't necessarily lessen the burden.

The New York Times

Uh, these admits specifically lessen the burden on taxpayers and current students of operating the UC.

University of California, Berkeley

And in so doing, he will lessen the burden on already beleaguered local property taxpayers.

The New York Times

It might even lessen the burden on service providers and content distributors.

MIT Technology Review

It would also lessen the burden on families facing potentially costly land rights legal battles.

The Guardian - Tech

We can donate to lessen the burden that lies ahead for the families of the victims.

The Washington Post

After that, the family split up, to lessen the burden on Woodson's mother, Odessa, a nurse.

The New York Times - Sports

It is designed to lessen the burden of filing up to 27 tax returns.

The Economist

The passage of each hour seemed to lessen the burden somewhat, but many problems persisted.

The New York Times

Reduction in the use of glaucoma medications may lessen the burden of medication adverse effects and promote better adherence.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about policies or actions intended to help people, use "lessen the burden" to clearly communicate the goal of making things easier or more manageable for them.

Common error

Avoid using "lessen the burden" when describing abstract concepts that don't involve a tangible weight or pressure. Instead, use more appropriate verbs like 'reduce', 'mitigate', or 'alleviate'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lessen the burden" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a clause within a sentence. It indicates an action taken to reduce the weight, pressure, or difficulty associated with something, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lessen the burden" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys the idea of alleviating hardship or difficulty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears across a variety of contexts, from academic research to news reporting. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for formal and informal communication, although it's important to use it appropriately, avoiding its application to purely abstract concepts. Alternatives like "reduce the burden" or "alleviate the burden" offer subtle variations in meaning that can enhance precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce the burden

Replaces 'lessen' with 'reduce', emphasizing a decrease in the load or pressure.

alleviate the burden

Substitutes 'lessen' with 'alleviate', suggesting a soothing or relieving effect on the hardship.

ease the burden

Uses 'ease' instead of 'lessen', implying a making something lighter or more comfortable.

lighten the burden

Replaces 'lessen' with 'lighten', indicating a reduction in weight or severity.

mitigate the burden

Employs 'mitigate' in place of 'lessen', focusing on reducing the negative impact or severity.

decrease the burden

Swaps 'lessen' for 'decrease', highlighting a measurable reduction in the load.

relieve the burden

Uses 'relieve' to suggest a freeing or easing of the pressure or difficulty.

soften the burden

Replaces 'lessen' with 'soften', implying a gentler or less harsh impact.

diminish the burden

Uses 'diminish' instead of 'lessen', suggesting a gradual reduction in size or importance.

reduce the strain

Replaces 'burden' with 'strain', focusing on the reduction of pressure or tension.

FAQs

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

You can use "lessen the burden" to describe actions or policies that make something easier or more manageable. For example, "The new tax cuts will "lessen the burden" on small businesses."

What can I say instead of "lessen the burden"?

You can use alternatives like "reduce the burden", "alleviate the burden", or "ease the burden" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "lessen the burden" or "lighten the load"?

Both ""lessen the burden"" and "lighten the load" are correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

What's the difference between "lessen the burden" and "reduce the impact"?

"Lessen the burden" typically refers to making something easier to bear, while "reduce the impact" focuses on minimizing the negative effects of something. The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the ease of handling something or the minimization of negative consequences.