lessen your ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lessen your ability" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing factors or actions that may reduce someone's skills or capabilities in a particular area. Example: "Excessive distractions can lessen your ability to focus on important tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

You do that by owning up to the choices you make that either improve or lessen your ability to cope -- as well as owning up to the vibe you put out in the world around you.

Huffington Post

If there is anything that will lessen your ability to survive, it is being both lost and deathly ill.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Skirting around or not fully committing to an argument lessens your ability to appear credible.

WikiHow

This physically weakens your muscles and lessens your ability to move -- also accompanied with headache and high fever.

WikiHow

Here are some dilemmas you may encounter: It's good to be humble and kind, but is it not good to be so humble and kind that you let people walk all over you to the extent that it damages your physical and emotional health, or lessens your ability to care for, spend time with, and provide for your family?

WikiHow

Lessen your smiles and laughter.

WikiHow

This will lessen your profits but spare your time.

WikiHow

While chocolate, pastries, fries and the like are tempting when you feel bad, they provide little to no nutritional value and lessen the ability of your body to heal itself.

WikiHow

Using an ill-fitting bosal can cause sores on the horse's face, place pressure on sensitive bones which can break, and cause your horse general discomfort and lessen their ability to respond to you.

WikiHow

Well, if your mother needs a prescription, her "sensitivity" is not going to lessen her need, but the cost may lessen her ability to buy it.

The New York Times

She said that would lessen her ability to serve the poor.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing factors that negatively impact performance, use "lessen your ability" to clearly convey a reduction in skill or competence. For instance, "Lack of sleep can lessen your ability to concentrate effectively."

Common error

While "lessen your ability" is acceptable, consider stronger verbs like "impair", "diminish", or "undermine" in formal writing to add impact and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lessen your ability" functions as a verb phrase indicating a reduction or weakening of someone's capacity to perform a specific task or exercise a skill. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, and the examples demonstrate its use in various contexts to describe factors that negatively impact skills.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lessen your ability" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that means to reduce or weaken someone's skills or capacity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While it's appropriate in many contexts, consider stronger verbs in formal writing. The phrase appears across various domains, as shown by Ludwig, including news, wikis, and scientific publications. Be mindful of overuse in overly formal contexts and use specific examples to clarify what factors might impact one's abilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weaken your capacity

Replaces "ability" with "capacity" and "lessen" with "weaken", focusing on inherent potential rather than current skill.

diminish your competence

Substitutes "ability" with "competence" and "lessen" with "diminish", suggesting a decrease in demonstrated skill.

reduce your aptitude

Replaces "ability" with "aptitude" and "lessen" with "reduce", highlighting a decrease in natural talent or inclination.

impair your potential

Uses "impair" instead of "lessen", suggesting a hindrance to future capabilities.

hamper your capability

Employs "hamper" to indicate obstruction of one's inherent power or talent.

undermine your skill

Uses "undermine" to convey a gradual erosion of expertise.

curtail your proficiency

Substitutes "lessen" with "curtail" and "ability" with "proficiency", indicating a restriction of expertise.

degrade your effectiveness

Replaces "ability" with "effectiveness", focusing on a decline in productive output.

compromise your talent

Uses "compromise" to suggest a weakening of one's innate gifts.

restrict your power

Employs "restrict" to indicate a limitation on one's strength or control.

FAQs

How can I use "lessen your ability" in a sentence?

You can use "lessen your ability" to describe situations or factors that reduce someone's capacity to perform a task or exercise a skill. For example: "Stress can "weaken your ability" to think clearly."

What are some alternatives to "lessen your ability"?

Alternatives include "reduce your ability", "diminish your capacity", or "impair your potential". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "lessen your ability" or "decrease your ability"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "lessen your ability" might sound slightly more natural in certain contexts. "Decrease your ability" is equally valid and conveys a similar meaning.

What's the difference between "lessen your ability" and "affect your ability"?

"Lessen your ability" specifically means to reduce or weaken a skill, whereas "affect your ability" is broader and could mean either improve or worsen the skill. "Affect" indicates an influence, not necessarily a negative one.