lessens

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "lessens" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is becoming smaller or decreasing in amount, intensity, or degree. For example: "The use of renewable energy sources lessens our reliance on fossil fuels."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"If you've already got a known entity like a film [that the musical is based on] then it lessens the risk and there are lots of different markets you could exploit".

The Guardian

The court's ruling lessens pressure for their repeal.

The Economist

He shares the scene with a more dynamic figure, a young dwarf whose apple and rattle parody the appurtenances of kingship and who lessens the scene's grandiosity.

The Economist

Demonstrators caught carrying vinegar (which lessens the effect of the gas) were arrested.

The Economist

Such ideas should be explored.The moral case for migration is incontrovertible: it greatly lessens human misery.

The Economist

Their new agreed proposal lessens Mr Brown's proposed sales tax increase a bit, but raises income taxes on the affluent more than he wanted.

The Economist

This lessens the chance that one side will resume hostilities abruptly.Related items Sri Lanka's civil war: The wounded TigersJan 10th 2002 Sri Lanka's election: A vote for peace?Dec 6th 2001 Sri Lanka's elections: Start againOct 18th 2001Finally, there is the hope that both sides and the populations on whose behalf they claim to fight have wearied of war.

The Economist

If their leaders will not stand up for that principle now, it lessens the chance that others, in future, will stand up for them.

The Economist

The want of more trade prevents that trade we have being profitable: the excess of produce beyond the demand lessens the value of the whole producing ability; and this must continue as long a demand keeps not pace with production, as long as no effort is made to extend our markets as our population and productive ability increase.

The Economist

It is true the weakest must go first: the worst factory must be closed, the poorest mines must be laid by, and the worst ship must be laid up first; and then follow the next in degree; but the moment a little diminution of supply lessens the loss, a portion of the idle start afresh into competition.

The Economist

It also means clearing trades in a manner that lessens collateral requirements for example, by bunching transactions in a single CCP so that offsetting trades result in a reduction in overall margin requirements.Big banks and asset managers will have to do a better job of keeping track of margin requirements and the available stock of eligible collateral they have.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lessens" when you want to emphasize a decrease in something undesirable, such as risk, pain, or difficulty. For example: "Implementing safety protocols lessens the risk of accidents."

Common error

Avoid confusing "lessens", which means to decrease, with "lessons", which are instructional units. A sentence like "Experience lessons the impact of mistakes" should correctly read, "Experience lessens the impact of mistakes".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "lessens" is that of a transitive verb. It indicates that a subject is performing the action of reducing or diminishing something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lessens" functions as a transitive verb signifying a reduction or decrease. It's considered grammatically correct and enjoys widespread use across various contexts. As evidenced by Ludwig AI and the numerous examples, its communicative purpose is to convey a reduction in quantity, intensity, or significance. While suitable for neutral registers, it appears most frequently in news and media. When aiming to convey a similar meaning, consider alternatives such as "reduces", "diminishes", or "alleviates". Remember to avoid confusing it with "lessons", which has an entirely different meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduces

Direct synonym, indicating a decrease in quantity, size, or intensity.

diminishes

Similar to reduces, but often implies a more gradual or subtle decrease.

decreases

General term for becoming smaller or less.

alleviates

Specifically refers to reducing suffering, pain, or difficulty.

mitigates

Implies lessening the severity or impact of something negative.

eases

Suggests making something less burdensome or problematic.

weakens

Indicates a loss of strength or power.

curtails

Implies a restriction or reduction, often in spending or freedom.

abates

Refers to the lessening of something intense or severe, like a storm or pain.

moderates

Suggests bringing something into a more balanced or controlled state.

FAQs

How to use "lessens" in a sentence?

Use "lessens" to indicate that something is decreasing in amount, intensity, or degree. For example: "The new policy "lessens" the burden on taxpayers".

What can I say instead of "lessens"?

You can use alternatives like "reduces", "diminishes", or "alleviates" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "lessens the impact"?

Yes, "lessens the impact" is a correct and commonly used phrase to indicate that something is reducing the effect or influence of something else.

What's the difference between "lessens" and "reduces"?

"Lessens" and "reduces" are often interchangeable, but "lessens" sometimes implies a more gradual or subtle decrease, while "reduces" can suggest a more direct or forceful reduction. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.