lessen the likelihood

USAGE SUMMARY

"lessen the likelihood" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to refer to reducing the probability of something happening. For example, "I took extra precautions to lessen the likelihood of the pipes freezing during the cold snap."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Refinancing would lessen the likelihood of more failures.

The New York Times

The belief is complete rest now will lessen the likelihood of him needing surgery later".

The Guardian - Sport

Such willful agnosticism can prevent tech companies from taking appropriate steps to lessen the likelihood of any misfortunes.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Use of a blunt rather than a cutting trocar could be expected to lessen the likelihood of this injury.

Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery

"I think it is incumbent upon the Legislature to enact reforms that will lessen the likelihood of such a sad day repeating itself".

The New York Times

General managers need to take the lead in building processes that will lessen the likelihood of a successful attack and mitigate damage.

Harvard Business Review

Certain drugs, such as ketamine (an anesthetic) and calcitonin (a hormone), administered prior to amputation surgery lessen the likelihood of development of later pain symptoms.

Britannica

And I would try to target the drug specifically enough to try to lessen the likelihood it would have addictive properties.

MIT Technology Review

Noting this, and avoiding addressing any conflicts during these times, will greatly lessen the likelihood of a contentious and unproductive argument erupting.

Harvard University

By doing so, you demonstrate that you value your employee's contributions and lessen the likelihood that he will disengage from his job.

Harvard University

In "Slapping Wrists as the Fund Scandal Spreads" (Market Watch, Nov. 16), Gretchen Morgenson was correct in demanding structural and regulatory reforms that should lessen the likelihood of fund abuses -- and make it easier to spot them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to convey a formal tone, "lessen the likelihood" is an excellent choice for expressing the reduction of probability, especially in academic and professional writing. Ensure the surrounding sentences maintain a consistent level of formality.

Common error

While "lessen the likelihood" is perfectly acceptable, avoid using it repeatedly within a single piece of writing. Vary your language by incorporating synonyms like "reduce the probability", "minimize the chance", or "decrease the risk" to maintain reader engagement and demonstrate linguistic versatility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lessen the likelihood" functions as a verbal phrase. It typically introduces a course of action or condition designed to reduce the probability of a specific event or outcome. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its versatile use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

24%

Science

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lessen the likelihood" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively communicates the reduction of probability. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, highlighting its versatility across diverse contexts such as News & Media, Academia, and Science. To avoid overuse, consider employing synonyms like "reduce the probability" or "minimize the chance". Remember that while generally neutral to formal in register, it may be adapted to diverse communication circumstances. "Lessen the likelihood" is most effective when aiming to convey a clear and professional message concerning risk mitigation and proactive prevention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce the probability

Changes the phrasing to use 'probability' instead of 'likelihood', offering a more statistical tone.

minimize the chance

Replaces "lessen" with "minimize" and "likelihood" with "chance", focusing on reducing the possibility.

decrease the risk

Substitutes "likelihood" with "risk", shifting the focus to potential negative outcomes.

mitigate the possibility

Uses "mitigate" to convey a stronger sense of actively reducing, with "possibility" emphasizing potential.

diminish the prospect

Replaces "lessen" with "diminish" and "likelihood" with "prospect", suggesting a reduction in potential future outcomes.

curtail the potential

Employs "curtail" to indicate limiting or restraining the potential for something to happen.

weaken the probability

Uses "weaken" to suggest a reduction in the strength or force of the probability.

reduce the odds

Replaces "likelihood" with "odds", making the phrase more informal and colloquial.

lower the incidence

Substitutes the phrase with terms more associated with frequency or occurrence.

impede the opportunity

Alters the meaning slightly to focus on hindering or obstructing the opportunity for something to occur.

FAQs

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

You can use "lessen the likelihood" to describe actions taken to reduce the probability of an event. For example: "Following safety protocols can "lessen the likelihood" of accidents."

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

You can use alternatives like "reduce the probability", "minimize the chance", or "decrease the risk" depending on the specific context.

Is "lessen the likelihood" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "lessen the likelihood" is suitable for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to express the reduction of probability, often found in academic, scientific, and business contexts.

What is the difference between "lessen the likelihood" and "reduce the risk"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "lessen the likelihood" generally refers to reducing the probability of an event, whereas "reduce the risk" specifically focuses on minimizing potential negative consequences. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize probability or potential harm.