lessen the chances

USAGE SUMMARY

'lessen the chances' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe the effect of an action on the probability of success. For example, "Increasing safety protocols at the construction site will lessen the chances of an accident occurring."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Does the pursuit of financial aid lessen the chances of admission versus a full-paying student?

The New York Times

That could lessen the chances of more friendly fire incidents — if that is what happened.

The New York Times

We should lessen the chances of total rule by the government".

The New York Times

For heterosexual men, having a guy give the massage may lessen the chances of becoming aroused, Mr. Ellsworth said.

The New York Times

America and Europe ought to do all they can to lessen the chances of a new tragedy.

The New York Times

Those recriminations seemed likely to lessen the chances of electing a new president, which have grown dimmer in recent days.

The New York Times

Put in a creel to lessen the chances of it being swiped by some fish-eating bird or mammal.

The New York Times - Sports

Related to prejudice are poverty, poor living conditions, inadequate medical care, and malnutrition, all of which may lessen the chances of these young people realizing their dreams.

Handbook of Hope Theory, Measures, & Applications

Second, they can lessen the chances of someone getting sick, which in turn reduces the likelihood that they will be prescribed antibiotics or other medications.

Harvard University

If we develop our slow brain circuits to more quickly calm our emotional reactivity to imagined threats, we lessen the chances of making bad decisions based on reactivity.

University of California, Berkeley

And, Chertoff's roots in the Justice Department may lessen the chances of a replay of some recent tensions between DHS and Justice.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to convey a sense of proactive risk management, use "lessen the chances" to emphasize actions taken to prevent undesirable outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using "lessen the chances" in contexts where a more forceful or decisive term is required. While it suggests a reduction, it may not adequately convey a complete elimination of risk.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lessen the chances" functions primarily as a verb phrase that indicates an action taken to reduce the probability of something occurring. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

27%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lessen the chances" is a versatile and widely accepted way to describe actions that reduce the probability of an event. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and readily applicable in various writing scenarios. It's commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts, indicating its broad suitability. When using this phrase, consider whether a more forceful alternative like "eliminate the risk" might be more appropriate to convey the desired level of certainty or impact. Remember to always clearly connect the action to the specific outcome you aim to influence for maximum clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce the likelihood

Replaces "chances" with "likelihood", focusing on the probability of an event occurring. It is highly interchangeable.

minimize the risk

Substitutes "chances" with "risk", emphasizing the potential negative consequences being reduced. It is a close synonym.

decrease the probability

Uses the more formal term "probability" instead of "chances", increasing the formality slightly.

mitigate the possibility

Replaces "lessen" with "mitigate" and "chances" with "possibility", suggesting a more active effort to reduce something.

curtail the odds

Employs "curtail" to mean reduce and "odds" for chances. It is an informal way of expressing the concept.

dampen the prospect

Uses "dampen" to indicate a reduction and "prospect" for chances. It focuses on reducing the appeal or desirability.

weaken the probability

Substitutes "lessen" with "weaken", highlighting the act of making something less potent or likely.

shrink the odds

Replaces "lessen" with "shrink" and "chances" with "odds", suggesting a considerable reduction.

temper the possibility

Uses "temper" to imply moderating or controlling the possibility, making it less extreme.

lower the potential

Replaces "chances" with "potential", shifting focus to decreasing the inherent capacity for something to occur.

FAQs

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

You can use "lessen the chances" to describe actions that reduce the probability of something happening. For example, "Wearing a helmet will "lessen the chances" of a head injury."

What are some alternatives to "lessen the chances"?

Alternatives include "reduce the likelihood", "minimize the risk", or "decrease the probability", depending on the desired level of formality and the specific context.

Is it correct to say "lessen the chance" instead of "lessen the chances"?

While grammatically correct, "lessen the chance" implies reducing the probability of a specific, singular event. "Lessen the chances" is generally used to refer to reducing the overall probability across multiple instances or possibilities.

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

"Lessen the chances" suggests a reduction in probability, while "eliminate the risk" implies a complete removal of the risk. "Eliminate the risk" suggests a more thorough and decisive action.