reduce the severity of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reduce the severity of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing ways to lessen the intensity or seriousness of a situation, condition, or problem. Example: "The new policy aims to reduce the severity of traffic accidents in the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Apremilast has been demonstrated to reduce the severity of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis [ 15– 17].

BioDrugs

Antibiotics reduce the severity of the disease.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Headrests are designed to reduce the severity of whiplash injuries.

The New York Times

Flu shots also reduce the severity of illness.

The Washington Post

Another is testing one to reduce the severity of allergic reactions to peanuts.

The New York Times - Science

The shot can prevent infections and reduce the severity of complications from the disease.

The Washington Post

Even partial protection can help to reduce the severity of illness and prevent hospitalizations and deaths.

The Washington Post

RNS60 administration has been found to reduce the severity of EAE.

Nature

Carbon Monoxide Preserves Circadian Rhythm to Reduce the Severity of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Mice.

Harvard University

It's time to raise the threshold quantities that trigger charges and time to reduce the severity of penalties.

The Guardian - Opinion

THE BOTTOM LINE Studies show that chewing gum after a meal can significantly reduce the severity of heartburn.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reduce the severity of", consider specifying the method or action taken to achieve the reduction. For example, "Implementing safety protocols can reduce the severity of workplace accidents" provides more context than simply stating, "We need to reduce the severity of accidents".

Common error

Avoid using "reduce the severity of" without a clear object. For example, instead of saying, "We need to reduce the severity," specify what you are trying to mitigate, such as "We need to reduce the severity of the economic downturn."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduce the severity of" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to indicate an action aimed at lessening the intensity or impact of a negative condition, event, or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and widely used expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

34%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reduce the severity of" is a versatile and widely used phrase for describing actions taken to lessen the impact of negative situations. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, especially in news, scientific, and academic writing. When using this phrase, it's important to specify the method of reduction and the object being mitigated to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "lessen the impact of" or "mitigate the effects of" can be used for variety, but "reduce the severity of" remains a clear and effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lessen the impact of

Focuses on minimizing the effect or consequence of something.

mitigate the effects of

Emphasizes making the consequences of something less severe or painful.

alleviate the intensity of

Specifically targets reducing the degree or strength of something, often used for feelings or symptoms.

dampen the impact of

Suggests a softening or muffling of the effects, often used metaphorically.

diminish the seriousness of

Highlights making something seem less grave or critical.

curtail the extent of

Implies limiting the reach or scope of something negative.

weaken the force of

Focuses on reducing the power or strength of something.

ameliorate the acuteness of

Suggests improving or making something more tolerable, often related to pain or discomfort.

moderate the harshness of

Implies making something less severe or unpleasant.

lighten the burden of

Focuses on making something easier to bear or cope with.

FAQs

How can I use "reduce the severity of" in a sentence?

You can use "reduce the severity of" to describe actions taken to lessen the impact of something negative. For example, "Taking medication can "reduce the severity of" allergy symptoms" or "Early intervention can "reduce the severity of" learning disabilities".

What are some alternatives to "reduce the severity of"?

Alternatives include "lessen the impact of", "mitigate the effects of", or "alleviate the intensity of", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "reduce the severity of" or "decrease the severity of"?

Both "reduce the severity of" and "decrease the severity of" are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. The choice often depends on stylistic preference, though "reduce" might be slightly more common in general usage.

What's the difference between "reduce the severity of" and "prevent"?

"Reduce the severity of" implies that something negative is already happening and you are trying to lessen its impact. "Prevent", on the other hand, means stopping something from happening at all. For example, you can "prevent" a disease through vaccination, or ""reduce the severity of"" its symptoms with medication.