lightening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lightening" is correct but context-dependent. You can use it when referring to making something lighter in color or weight, or in the context of a storm. Example: "The sky began lightening as the storm approached." Alternative expressions include "brightening" and "lightening up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In this age of belt-tightening, lightening the load of weekly spending could be a motivator that makes the difference.

The Guardian

Getting rid of student debt, lightening the burden of local taxation and encouraging small businesses, argued Sturgeon in 2006, was all intended "to give individuals a fair crack of the whip … aspirational policies about people progressing and making the most of themselves".

The Guardian

For the future, though, the government should give the nuclear industry a chance to compete by lightening the burden it has placed on the business.

The Economist

Partly as a consequence, a new sense of tentative optimism is lightening the gloom on the Korean peninsula.The South's Mr Kim was the foremost proponent of engagement with North Korea as a means to bring lasting peace to the peninsula what became known as his "sunshine" policy.

The Economist

Others condemned the hypocrisy of the Saudi ambassador to France marching in Paris to express solidarity with the murdered journalists two days after Mr Badawi was taken from his prison cell and flogged in a town square in Jeddah.King Abdullah is thought to have referred Mr Badawi's case to the Supreme Court, which may be a face-saving way of lightening his punishment.

The Economist

Mr Westerwelle sounds passionate about lightening the tax burden on ordinary working Germans.

The Economist

But Mr Westerwelle, who as foreign minister has made much of good relations with Poland, says no.In this section Angela Merkel's wobbly restart These cursed plots Lightening gloom?

The Economist

The Americans are trying to use e-mail for routine ground-to-air communication, freeing voice channels and lightening the load for controllers.

The Economist

And lightening the tax burden on the state oil and electricity firms, so they can invest more, will be impossible unless the government raises more from other taxes.

The Economist

Five years on, is Europe any less vulnerable?In this section Gambler in a rush Lightening the load A zealot in power Frontal assault Adrift over energy Reprints In the short term at least, the outlook is not too bad.

The Economist

One of the earliest poems I wrote in the collection, "Fosterling", in­cludes the words, "me waiting until I was nearly 50 to credit marvels", and that too is about things going up, lifting and lightening, in spite of sluggish surroundings.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lightening", ensure the context is clear whether you mean reducing weight or brightness, or making something less burdensome. Consider using more specific synonyms if ambiguity is a concern.

Common error

Avoid misspelling "lightening" (making lighter) as "lightning" (electrical discharge). Proofread carefully, especially in contexts where weather or electrical phenomena are not the intended topic.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "lightening" is a verb, often appearing as a present participle (e.g., "is lightening") or gerund. It describes the action of making something lighter in weight, color, or emotional burden. Ludwig provides examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lightening" functions as a verb signifying the act of making something less heavy, less dark, or less burdensome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts. While versatile, it's crucial to distinguish "lightening" from "lightning" to avoid misspellings, and be aware of potential ambiguity by opting for synonyms like "reducing" or "brightening" when clarity is paramount. As demonstrated by the examples that Ludwig found, the phrase is frequently used in news and media, and formal business writing, fitting a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lessening

Similar to reducing, but often used for abstract concepts.

easing

Implies making something less severe or burdensome.

alleviating

This term focuses on reducing suffering or difficulty.

moderating

Implies making something less extreme or intense.

reducing

Focuses on diminishing the quantity or intensity.

mitigating

Addresses making something less harmful or serious.

diminishing

Highlights a gradual reduction in size, importance, or intensity.

assuaging

This term suggests soothing or relieving.

attenuating

Focuses on weakening or reducing the force of something.

de-emphasizing

Focuses on reducing the importance or prominence.

FAQs

How is "lightening" used in a sentence?

The word "lightening" can be used in a sentence to describe making something lighter in weight, color, or burden. For example: "The company is "lightening" its debt load" or "The artist is "lightening" the colors in the painting."

What's the difference between "lightening" and "lightning"?

"Lightening" refers to the act of making something lighter or less burdensome, while "lightning" is a sudden flash of electrical discharge during a thunderstorm. Be careful not to confuse these two words.

Are there synonyms for "lightening" in the context of reducing burden?

Yes, you can use terms such as "easing", "reducing", or "alleviating" to express the idea of making a burden less heavy.

When is it appropriate to use "lightening" instead of "brightening"?

Use "lightening" when referring to reducing weight or burden, or when generally making something less dark. Use "brightening" when specifically referring to increasing the intensity of light or color.