lessen the load

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lessen the load" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to reducing the burden or responsibility someone has to carry, whether physically or metaphorically. Example: "To help the team meet the deadline, we need to find ways to lessen the load on our project manager."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Or at least lessen the load.

The Guardian - Opinion

We do everything we can to lessen the load of bad debt".

The Guardian - Opinion

But Rocky Suhayda thinks there is one political figure who presents a "real opportunity" to lessen the load.

The Washington Post

The executive producers, Robert Rovner and Jon Cowan, will lessen the load on Shonda Rhimes, the creator and head writer of both "Grey's" and "Practice".

The New York Times

But as growing development pushes I-95 toward near-permanent rush-hour conditions, transit advocates hope more people will commute by train and lessen the load on the roads.

The New York Times

Last week, Mr. Badillo appealed to the board to lessen the load by allowing him to count $20,125 in donations that were disallowed last year because the supporting documents were filed four days late.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

By analysing this information, it can be decided where more trains and buses are needed or, if that is not possible, how commuters can be incentivised to travel outside of peak times in order to lessen the loads, as in Singapore, or else encourage commuters to move to an underused station as opposed to one which is over capacity.

The Guardian - Business

"We have made significant progress in lessening the load for these caseworkers who have very difficult jobs," Mr. Bush said.

The New York Times

But some of the old numbers needed tweaking, like lessening the load of mozzarella smothering an otherwise appealing roasted red pepper and eggplant napoleon, or searing a soft crab cake to firm it up a bit.

The New York Times

This not only reduces the latency but also lessens the load on the macro cells.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Water and snow can drain through pervious concrete, reducing the need for salt in the winter, and lessening the load on the city's sewer system.

University of Chicago

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lessen the load" in professional writing, ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. Specify what 'load' you're referring to, such as workload, responsibility, or pressure.

Common error

Avoid using "lessen the load" when a more precise term like "reduce expenses" or "streamline operations" is more appropriate. Overusing the phrase can dilute the clarity of your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lessen the load" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "lessen" acts as a transitive verb indicating the action of reducing or diminishing something, and "the load" serves as the direct object. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

32%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lessen the load" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to express the reduction of burden or pressure across various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Science, making it suitable for both neutral and somewhat formal communication. When using "lessen the load", ensure clarity about what specific 'load' is being reduced. Consider context-specific alternatives like ""lighten the burden"" or ""ease the pressure"" for more precise connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decrease the burden

A direct synonym, simply swapping out 'lessen' for 'decrease'.

lighten the burden

Focuses on making something emotionally or psychologically easier to bear; more direct replacement.

ease the strain

Focuses on reducing tension, whether physical, emotional, or systemic.

ease the pressure

Highlights the reduction of stress or strain, especially in a demanding situation.

reduce the pressure

Directly addresses reducing the intensity of demands or expectations.

reduce the weight

Emphasizes a decrease in physical or metaphorical weight, often referring to responsibility.

alleviate the pressure

Formal and emphasizes the relief of intense pressure.

alleviate the strain

Suggests relieving tension or difficulty, potentially more formal than the original.

take some weight off

Idiomatic expression conveying the act of relieving responsibility from someone.

mitigate the stress

Implies diminishing the intensity of stress, suitable for professional contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use "lessen the load" to describe reducing the burden or responsibility. For example: "Implementing new software should "lighten the burden" on our customer service team".

What are some alternatives to "lessen the load"?

Alternatives include "ease the pressure", "reduce the weight", or "alleviate the strain", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "lessen the load" formal or informal?

"Lessen the load" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for highly formal writing, consider alternatives like "mitigate the stress".

What's the difference between "lessen the load" and ""lighten the burden""?

While similar, "lessen the load" is more general and can refer to any kind of weight or pressure. "Lighten the burden" often suggests reducing something emotionally challenging or difficult to bear.