lessened by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lessened by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been reduced or diminished in intensity or degree due to a specific factor. Example: "The pain was lessened by the medication prescribed by the doctor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

That risk can be lessened by surveillance.

The Economist

Every piece here is lessened by comparison.

The Guardian - Arts

And abnormality is lessened by the fact that there are two of them".

The New York Times - Arts

Sadly the lure of plunder and nostalgic action is lessened by some annoying niggles.

The Guardian - Tech

"The supply has been lessened by one potential guy, and presumably the demand remains the same".

The New York Times - Sports

She wasn't the only one whose burden would be lessened by the loss.

The Guardian - Opinion

The burden of these levies would be lessened by the resulting reductions in pollution and congestion.

The New York Times

When asked if his victory was lessened by the truncated race, Button replied to the contrary.

The New York Times - Sports

The hate was being lessened and lessened by itself throughout the years".

The New Yorker

Strength of organic materials may be lessened by certain classes of fungus and mold.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The problems that obese children face, like hypertension and bullying, won't be lessened by ignoring them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lessened by" to clearly indicate that a specific factor has contributed to a reduction in something, ensuring clarity in your writing. For example, 'The impact of the storm was lessened by the flood defenses.'

Common error

Avoid using "lessened by" when the factor only changes something without reducing it. Make sure that the factor truly reduces what is being described. For example, instead of saying 'The recipe was lessened by adding sugar', consider saying 'The recipe was sweetened by adding sugar'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lessened by" functions as a passive construction indicating a reduction or mitigation due to a specific cause or influence. Ludwig AI confirms this, supported by numerous examples across various domains. It shows that something is made smaller, weaker, or less intense because of something else.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lessened by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates a reduction or mitigation due to a specific cause, as verified by Ludwig AI. It's most common in scientific and news contexts, with a neutral to formal register. When using "lessened by", ensure that the causal relationship is clear and that it accurately conveys a reduction or mitigation. While alternatives like "reduced by" and "alleviated by" exist, "lessened by" often provides a subtle nuance that is appropriate for more sophisticated writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduced by

A direct synonym indicating a decrease in quantity or degree.

decreased by

A more general term for a reduction in amount or intensity.

weakened by

Indicates a reduction in strength or effectiveness as a result of something.

diminished by

Suggests a decrease in size, extent, or importance due to a specific factor.

mitigated by

Indicates that the severity of something has been reduced.

alleviated by

Implies a reduction in pain or suffering through some means.

ameliorated by

Suggests improvement or making something better, thus lessening its negative impact.

lightened by

Implies that a burden or weight has been reduced.

softened by

Indicates a reduction in harshness or severity.

dampened by

Suggests a reduction in intensity or enthusiasm.

FAQs

How can I use "lessened by" in a sentence?

You can use "lessened by" to show that something has been reduced in intensity or degree due to a specific factor. For example, 'The impact of the crisis was "mitigated by" government intervention'.

What are some alternatives to "lessened by"?

Alternatives include phrases like "reduced by", "diminished by", or "alleviated by", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "lessened by" or "reduced by"?

Both "lessened by" and "reduced by" are correct, but "lessened by" often implies a more subtle or gradual reduction, while "reduced by" can indicate a more direct or measurable decrease. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Can "lessened by" be used in all contexts?

While generally versatile, "lessened by" might not be appropriate if a more specific term like "cured by" or "prevented by" better describes the relationship between cause and effect.