reduce the strain

USAGE SUMMARY

"reduce the strain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation or situation that is creating stress or difficulty and you are suggesting a way to manage or lessen it. Example: "Let's take a break and try to reduce the strain of the project workload."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Because the InGaAs layer is strained, the system tends to reduce the strain energy through segregating indium atoms onto surface [15, 16].

Nanoscale Research Letters

That would give your wife more control, and reduce the strain on you.

The Guardian - Tech

The suite of 42 offices is available to Schwab employees trying to reduce the strain of a long commute.

The New York Times - Tech

The emerging wavelength switched networks reduce the strain on packet forwarding.

Optical Switching and Networking

It is also shown numerically that a different sleeve design can reduce the strain concentration drastically.

Journal of Materials Processing Technology

Promoting higher levels of self-care can potentially reduce the strain on existing resources.

Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy

By shifting its marketing emphasis to loans, G.M. has been able to cut its leasing business in half and reduce the strain on its financing operation.

The New York Times

To reduce the strain, the United States should advertise overseas for recruits and create an American Foreign Legion akin to the French Foreign Legion or the British Gurkhas.

The New York Times

The controversial comments come days after Johnson urged the prime minister to stop "pussyfooting around" over plans to build another London airport and reduce the strain on Heathrow.

The Guardian

That would reduce the strain on A&E. 7. Give hospital boards one year to create fit-for-purpose administrative systems.

The Guardian

If selling off assets is too unpalatable, another option to reduce the strain on capital would be to pass on some of them to a reinsurer.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to "reduce the strain" in a given situation, clearly identify the source of the strain to propose effective and targeted solutions.

Common error

Avoid vague solutions without first pinpointing the underlying cause of the "strain". Address the root problem for sustainable relief.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduce the strain" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where 'reduce' acts as a transitive verb requiring a direct object ('the strain'). As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reduce the strain" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe actions taken to alleviate pressure, stress, or difficulty. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it enjoys widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news and scientific publications. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for both formal and informal communication. To use it effectively, clearly identify the source of the strain and propose targeted solutions. Alternatives such as "alleviate the pressure" or "lighten the load" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alleviate the pressure

Focuses on easing pressure, a key component of strain.

lighten the load

Emphasizes reducing burden, a common consequence of strain.

ease the tension

Highlights the reduction of tension, another aspect of strain.

mitigate the stress

Focuses on reducing the negative impact of stress.

lessen the burden

Similar to lighten the load, but emphasizes lessening.

diminish the pressure

Similar to alleviate the pressure, but emphasizes diminishing.

soften the impact

Highlights reducing the negative effects of an action or event.

minimize the stress

Focuses on minimizing the level of stress experienced.

relieve the pressure

Similar to alleviate the pressure, focuses on providing relief.

decrease the pressure

Emphasizes decreasing the amount of pressure.

FAQs

How can I use "reduce the strain" in a sentence?

You can use "reduce the strain" to suggest actions that alleviate pressure or difficulty, for example: "Implementing new software can "reduce the strain" on the IT department".

What are some alternatives to "reduce the strain"?

Alternatives include "alleviate the pressure", "lighten the load", or "ease the tension", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "reduce the strain" or "lessen the strain"?

Both "reduce the strain" and "lessen the strain" are grammatically correct and similar in meaning. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific nuance you want to convey.

What kind of situations commonly call for actions to "reduce the strain"?

Actions to "reduce the strain" are often needed in situations involving excessive workload, resource limitations, interpersonal conflicts, or technical difficulties.