lessen the consequences

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lessen the consequences" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing ways to reduce the negative effects or outcomes of a particular action or situation. Example: "Implementing safety measures can help lessen the consequences of workplace accidents."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Needless to say, the fact that the United States has defaulted before does not lessen the consequences of potentially defaulting again.

The New York Times

That has provided a strong incentive for researchers to explore ideas like warning systems, external air bags and softer crumple zones that might lessen the consequences of cars striking people.

The New York Times

A reduction in cellular energy demand during hypoxia, a form of adaptive hibernation, could lessen the consequences of oxygen deprivation.

Critical Care

Having the ability to predict organ failure could impact treatment decisions and potentially lessen the consequences of acute lung injury (ALI) and sepsis.

Critical Care

Some actions that could potentially lessen the consequences of mercury spills are to switch to mercury-free alternatives, train people in the safe handling and disposal of mercury, and keep mercury securely stored when it is necessary to have it on hand.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

8. Experiment: does removing the exposure lessen the effect?

Arthritis Research and Therapy

The Navy says the exercises are necessary to test its readiness and weapons systems, and it promises to make every effort to lessen the adverse consequences for marine mammals.

The New York Times

By drawing upon literature on organizational stigma, we argue that CSR disclosures constitute an integral part of "sin" firms' strategic goal to distract attention from their controversial activities, lessen the negative consequences of stigmatization and neutralize the impact of litigation proceedings.

Journal of Business Research

They need to make a strong commitment as they possibly can to deal with it, to lessen the disastrous consequences".

Vice

While both more potent therapy and sustained viral suppression may lessen the virologic consequences of missed doses, improving adherence will increase the probability of durable and sustained viral suppression [7], [41].

Plosone

Unlike those with perinatal loss, however, we found that the former women were able to lessen the negative consequences that a near miss often entails by channelling their energies into their newborn child.

British Journal of Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to convey the reduction of negative outcomes, consider using "lessen the consequences" in formal writing to project a sense of responsibility and foresight.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "lessen the consequences" might sound overly formal in casual conversation. In such scenarios, simpler alternatives like "reduce the impact" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lessen the consequences" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of reducing the negative impact or effects resulting from a specific situation or action. Ludwig's examples confirm this usage, illustrating scenarios where actions are taken to mitigate potential adverse outcomes.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lessen the consequences" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes the act of reducing or mitigating the negative outcomes of a situation. As highlighted by Ludwig, this phrase appears across various domains, including science and news. While not very common, it is appropriate for formal and semi-formal contexts. To avoid overuse in informal settings, you could consider using alternatives like "reduce the impact" or "soften the blow". Using this phrase can convey a sense of responsibility when discussing sensitive topics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mitigate the consequences

This alternative uses a more formal tone and emphasizes the act of reducing the severity of the consequences.

reduce the impact

This phrase focuses on minimizing the effect or influence of an action or event.

alleviate the repercussions

This alternative uses a more sophisticated vocabulary and implies providing relief from the negative effects.

soften the blow

This idiom suggests making the consequences easier to bear or accept.

ameliorate the effects

This phrase highlights improving or making the effects less harmful or unpleasant.

dampen the effects

This suggests reducing the intensity or force of the effects.

minimize the damage

This focuses specifically on limiting the extent of harm or injury caused.

ease the burden

This alternative focuses on making the consequences less heavy or difficult to manage.

lighten the load

This phrase is similar to "ease the burden", suggesting a reduction in difficulty or pressure.

curtail the fallout

This option indicates restricting or limiting the negative results or aftermath of an event.

FAQs

What does "lessen the consequences" mean?

The phrase "lessen the consequences" means to reduce or minimize the negative effects or results of a particular action, decision, or event.

What are some alternatives to "lessen the consequences"?

You can use alternatives like "mitigate the consequences", "reduce the impact", or "alleviate the repercussions" depending on the context.

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

You can use "lessen the consequences" by describing actions or measures taken to reduce the negative outcomes of a situation. For example, "Implementing safety measures can help lessen the consequences of workplace accidents."

Is "lessen the consequences" formal or informal?

"Lessen the consequences" is suitable for both formal and semi-formal contexts. In very informal settings, using simpler terms like "soften the blow" might be preferable.