lessen the role

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lessen the role" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the reduction of someone's or something's importance or influence in a particular context. Example: "The new policy aims to lessen the role of intermediaries in the transaction process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Yet many politicians have been calling for the federal government to lessen the role it plays in the mortgage market, even if the first steps prove painful.

The New York Times

Mr. Buckley said that Sister Elizabeth wished to lessen the role of religion in her college's curriculum in order that it might qualify for state aid, which is not granted to sectarian institutions, because of the Blaine Amendment.

The New Yorker

The proposals have been in the works for months, the Washington Post reports, and in no way do they lessen the role of brute-force incarceration within the justice system.

Vice

Some argue that 'promotions' based entirely on seniority are fairer, as they lessen the role of possibly subjective performance evaluations and decrease opportunities for corrupt practices.

Health Policy and Planning

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Mr. Vallone, a Queens Democrat, noted that the new protocol lessened the role for Mr. Bruno's department, which had been envisioned by former Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani as having a freer hand to settle jurisdictional disputes between the departments.

The New York Times

In particular, the accumulation of senescent cells could lessen the supportive role of the ECM, globally diminishing tissue tension and elasticity.

Cancer and Metastasis Reviews

KABUL, Afghanistan — The senior American commander in Afghanistan said Tuesday that his plans for next year would emphasize deploying American and allied military trainers directly within Afghan security units, which could lessen the direct combat role of NATO and accelerate local forces' taking the lead in a growing number of missions.

The New York Times

Page A8 SHIFT IN MILITARY PLANS The senior American commander in Afghanistan said that his plans for next year would emphasize deploying American and allied military trainers directly within Afghan security units, which could lessen the direct combat role of NATO and accelerate local forces taking the lead in a growing number of missions.

The New York Times

We designed the model to allow patients greater autonomy in decisions to take part in research, through lessening the gatekeeper role of clinicians: evidence from a prospective cohort study and a qualitative process evaluation indicates that such gatekeeper functions can impede equitable access to research.

BMJ Open

WASHINGTON — President Nicolas Sarkozy on Monday brought his campaign to lessen the dollar's central role to the White House, where such talk has never found a warm hearing.

The New York Times

It's tasteless, though miraculously Folmar is good enough to lessen the sting of a role that would be awful even if played by an Asian actor.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to convey a formal and objective tone, use "lessen the role" to describe a strategic reduction in importance or function. It is particularly effective in policy discussions or organizational restructurings.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences where it's unclear who or what is causing the role to be lessened. Make sure to specify the actor or mechanism responsible for reducing the role's importance to maintain clarity and accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lessen the role" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a larger clause to express the action of reducing the importance, influence, or involvement of something or someone. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lessen the role" is grammatically sound and used to describe a reduction in the importance or influence of something. Ludwig AI verifies that the expression can be used in written English. Though relatively rare, it appears in news, scientific, and wiki contexts. When using the phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates who or what is performing the action of lessening the role. Alternatives like "reduce the role" or "diminish the role" can be used to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce the role

Direct synonym, implying a decrease in the extent of involvement or importance.

diminish the role

Suggests a gradual decrease in significance or prominence.

decrease the role

Indicates a quantitative reduction in function or impact.

minimize the role

Implies an effort to make the role as small or unimportant as possible.

weaken the role

Focuses on reducing the power or effectiveness of the role.

curtail the role

Suggests limiting or restricting the scope and authority of the role.

attenuate the role

Implies a thinning or weakening of the role's impact.

lower the role

Suggests a reduction in rank, status, or importance.

mitigate the role

Emphasizes reducing the negative effects or consequences associated with the role.

downplay the role

Implies minimizing the perceived importance, often for strategic reasons.

FAQs

What does "lessen the role" mean?

The phrase "lessen the role" means to reduce the importance, influence, or involvement of someone or something in a particular situation or context. It suggests a deliberate effort to minimize the impact or function of a specific entity.

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

You can use alternatives like "reduce the role", "diminish the role", or "minimize the role" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "lessen the role" formal or informal?

"Lessen the role" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase, suitable for use in professional, academic, or news-related contexts. It avoids slang or overly casual language.

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

You can use "lessen the role" in a sentence like: "The new policy aims to reduce the role of intermediaries in the transaction process" or "The company decided to diminish the role of middle management to improve efficiency."