lessen the risk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lessen the risk" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that you are taking steps to reduce or minimize a potential hazard or danger. For example: "We implemented an emergency response procedure to lessen the risk of a fire breaking out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Amateur organizations have recently taken steps to lessen the risk.

The New York Times - Sports

Multi-sourcing can lessen the risk of supply chain disruption.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Strong agreements markedly lessen the risk of further war.

Princeton University

Surveillance of everyone, all the time, may – may – lessen the risk of one kind of disaster.

The Guardian - Opinion

They eschewed voluntary measures to lessen the risk of them falling into the wrong hands.

The New York Times

Murphy is striving to lessen the risk of waiting to conceive.

Princeton University

We can shake things up to lessen the risk that we get set in our ways.

The Guardian

It has also been shown to lessen the risk of colon cancer.

The New York Times

Early elections also lessen the risk that growing economic instability might undermine the government's popularity.

The Washington Post

It continued: "Traveling with the Army does not lessen the risk to reporters.

The New York Times

Flu shots are one of the best ways to lessen the risk of catching the disease.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lessen the risk", specify the actions taken or measures implemented to achieve risk reduction. This provides context and strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "lessen the risk" without providing concrete examples or evidence. Vague claims can undermine credibility. Instead of saying "This will lessen the risk", explain how and why the risk is being reduced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lessen the risk" functions as a verb phrase that indicates an action taken to reduce the probability or impact of a potential danger or hazard. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, from health to security, to describe efforts to minimize negative outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Academia

28%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lessen the risk" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe efforts aimed at mitigating potential dangers or hazards. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and suitable for various contexts, particularly news, academic, and scientific writing. While "lessen the risk" is widely accepted, providing specific examples or evidence of how the risk is being reduced strengthens its impact. Alternatives like "mitigate the risk" or "reduce the risk" offer stylistic variations, but the core message remains consistent: proactive steps are being taken to minimize potential harm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mitigate the risk

Replaces "lessen" with "mitigate", suggesting a more active effort to reduce the severity of the risk.

reduce the probability of risk

Focuses on lowering the likelihood of a risk occurring, rather than just its impact.

minimize potential dangers

Uses "minimize" instead of "lessen" and "dangers" instead of "risk", broadening the scope to potential hazards.

alleviate the potential for risk

Substitutes "lessen" with "alleviate", implying a reduction in the intensity or severity of the risk.

decrease the chance of danger

Emphasizes decreasing the likelihood of encountering danger, using simpler vocabulary.

curtail the probability of hazards

Replaces "lessen" with "curtail", suggesting a restriction or limitation of the likelihood of hazards.

diminish the threat

Uses "diminish" instead of "lessen" and "threat" as a synonym for "risk", implying a reduction in perceived danger.

weaken the possibility of harm

Focuses on reducing the strength or likelihood of harm, using more descriptive language.

temper the hazard

Replaces "lessen the risk" with "temper the hazard", suggesting moderating or controlling the hazard.

guard against hazards

Implies taking precautions to prevent hazards from materializing, shifting the focus to preventative measures.

FAQs

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

You can use "lessen the risk" to describe actions taken to reduce potential dangers or hazards. For example, "Implementing stricter safety protocols will "lessen the risk" of accidents in the workplace."

What are some alternatives to saying "lessen the risk"?

Alternatives include "mitigate the risk", "reduce the risk", or "minimize potential dangers", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "lessen the risk" or "reduce the risk"?

Both "lessen the risk" and "reduce the risk" are grammatically correct and generally interchangeable. The choice often depends on stylistic preference or the specific context. "Reduce" is often perceived as more direct and common, while "lessen" can sound slightly more formal.

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

"Lessen the risk" implies a reduction in the probability or severity of a potential hazard, while "eliminate the risk" suggests its complete removal. Complete elimination is often difficult or impossible, making "lessen the risk" a more realistic goal in many situations.