lessening the load

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lessening the load" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of reducing burdens or responsibilities, whether physical, emotional, or metaphorical. Example: "By delegating tasks to team members, we are lessening the load on ourselves and improving overall productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 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

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

He had survived, but there was one more task he knew he had to deal with: the electrical switches in the basement had to be turned off to lessen the load on the building's emergency power supply.

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

In order to lessen the load on the wall, the engineers will be using their new wells to pump down the water level outside the wall by 10 or 20 feet.

The New York Times - Science

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

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

But companies can lessen the load for women without creating a workplace stigma associated with committed parenting.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to convey the idea of reducing stress or pressure, use "lessening the load" to describe actions taken to alleviate burdens whether they are physical, emotional, or metaphorical. For example: "Delegating tasks is one way of "lessening the load" on the team leader".

Common error

While "lessening the load" is widely understood, it might sound too informal in certain academic or professional settings. Consider using more formal alternatives like "mitigating the burden" or "alleviating the pressure" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lessening the load" functions as a verb phrase acting as a gerund, typically serving as a direct object or part of a larger clause. It describes the act of reducing a burden or responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lessening the load" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that conveys the idea of reducing burdens or responsibilities. Ludwig AI confirms this. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and choose more formal alternatives like "mitigating the burden" for academic or professional writing. Its primary function is to describe the action of alleviating pressure, and it appears most frequently in news, scientific, and general contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reducing the burden

Focuses on the burden aspect, implying a weight or responsibility being made lighter.

easing the strain

Emphasizes the reduction of pressure or tension associated with a task or situation.

alleviating the pressure

Highlights the relief from stress or urgency.

lightening the burden

Similar to reducing the burden but with a lighter, less formal tone.

easing the burden

Similar to reducing the burden but sounds more gentle.

mitigating the stress

Focuses on minimizing the negative impact of stress.

reducing the stress

Focuses on minimizing the stress.

minimizing the pressure

Highlights the action of reducing the pressure to the lower levels.

reducing the workload

Specifically refers to a decrease in the amount of work required.

easing the workload

Specifically refers to a gentle decrease in the amount of work required.

FAQs

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

"Lessening the load" refers to making a burden or responsibility easier to bear. For instance, you might say, "Technology is "lessening the load" on manual workers" or "Sharing responsibilities is "lessening the load" for everyone involved".

What are some alternatives to "lessening the load"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "reducing the burden", "easing the strain", or "alleviating the pressure".

Is "lessening the load" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "lessening the load" may be considered informal for some academic or professional contexts. In such cases, consider using more formal alternatives like "mitigating the burden" or "alleviating the pressure".

What's the difference between "lessening the load" and "reducing the burden"?

Both phrases convey a similar meaning of making something easier or lighter. However, "lessening the load" can apply to various types of burdens, while "reducing the burden" specifically refers to alleviating a weight or responsibility.