lessen the effect

USAGE SUMMARY

'lessen the effect' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something has an effect that you want to reduce or make less strong. For example, "We implemented certain measures to lessen the effect of the city's pollution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We must also take strong and effective action now to lessen the effect of climate change on already fragile natural systems and on the people who depend on those natural systems for food, water, shelter and their very survival.

The New York Times

The JPMorgan loss was incurred in its London office, which doesn't lessen the effect here.

The New York Times

Perhaps these Okinawa building techniques can be studied and used by Florida builders to lessen the effect of future hurricanes.

The New York Times

But the reefs do significantly lessen the effect of waves, and their destruction is likely to have a noticeable effect.

The Washington Post

Demonstrators found with vinegar (which can be used to lessen the effect of tear gas) were arrested.

The Economist

In case of tear gas, you were supposed to bite into the lemons to lessen the effect.

The New York Times - Magazine

The spoon is fitted with a vibrating component that helps lessen the effect of tremors, such as those caused by Parkinson's disease or the more common essential tremor.

The Guardian - Tech

But the next thing an executive considers to save money is cutting real estate costs, and that, he predicted, "will lessen the effect of job loss".

The New York Times

I mean, if your hips are wide then the dark colour of the skirt tends to lessen the effect of the width".

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

When given orally in large daily doses, levodopa can lessen the effects of the disease.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Designing small molecules to block this interaction would lessen the effects of Aβ neurotoxicity.

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Basis of Disease

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to sound less direct about reducing a negative outcome, use "lessen the effect" as a softer alternative to phrases like "eliminate" or "completely remove".

Common error

Avoid using "lessen the effect" when you intend to completely eliminate something. This phrase implies a reduction, not a complete removal. For total elimination, consider using phrases such as "eliminate the impact" or "nullify the consequences."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lessen the effect" functions primarily as a verb phrase, typically used in conjunction with another verb to indicate an action taken to reduce the impact or consequence of something. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lessen the effect" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for describing efforts to reduce the impact of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. It's versatile, fitting well in news, scientific, and general contexts. When writing, remember that it implies a reduction, not a complete removal, and alternatives like "mitigate the impact" or "reduce the severity" can offer nuances depending on the specific message you want to convey. High-quality sources frequently employ this phrase, making it a reliable choice for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mitigate the impact

Replaces "effect" with "impact", focusing on the force or influence exerted.

reduce the severity

Emphasizes a decrease in the seriousness or intensity of something.

dampen the impact

Uses "dampen" to suggest a softening or muffling of the effect.

soften the blow

Idiomatic expression suggesting making a negative effect more bearable.

alleviate the consequences

Focuses on reducing the negative results or outcomes of an event.

ease the burden

Highlights a reduction in something that is heavy or difficult to bear.

moderate the influence

Suggests controlling or keeping within limits the effect something has.

weaken the force

Implies reducing the power or strength of an effect.

curtail the repercussions

Focuses on limiting or cutting short the consequences of an action.

diminish the importance

Suggests reducing how significant or crucial an effect is perceived to be.

FAQs

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

You can use "lessen the effect" to describe actions taken to reduce the impact of something, as in, "The new policy aims to "lessen the effect" of inflation on low-income families."

What are some alternatives to "lessen the effect"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "mitigate the impact", "reduce the severity", or "soften the blow".

Is it correct to say "reduce the effect" instead of "lessen the effect"?

Yes, "reduce the effect" is a perfectly acceptable and often interchangeable alternative to ""lessen the effect"". Both phrases convey the idea of diminishing the impact of something.

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

"Lessen the effect" implies a reduction or weakening of an impact, while "eliminate the effect" suggests completely removing or nullifying it. The choice depends on whether the goal is to minimize or completely remove the impact.