reduce the strain on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reduce the strain on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing ways to alleviate pressure or stress on a person, system, or resource. Example: "Implementing flexible work hours can help reduce the strain on employees during peak project periods."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

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

The Guardian

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

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

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

Lange says on-hill tests and experiments with cadavers confirmed the rear-releasing system could significantly reduce the strain on the A.C.L.

The New York Times - Sports

Coach Mike Woodson has said he wants to limit Anthony to 35 minutes a game, to reduce the strain on his body.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Line managers can help sift CVs, reducing the strain on business owners.

The Guardian

This has the added advantage that you can raise the laptop screen to a more ergonomic height, reducing the strain on your upper spine.

The Guardian - Tech

Vehicles would be transported at a faster rate while reducing the strain on the suspension bridge's cables.

Independent

Officials say the birth controls have been vital to China's development and reduced the strain on the environment, preventing 400 million extra births in a country which, even so, has a population of more than 1.3 billion.

The Guardian

But first he gives us some words to live by: The widespread use of the market reduces the strain on the social fabric by rendering conformity unnecesssary with respect to any activities it encompasses.Mr Friedman tends to view representative government as a rather poor means of getting things done.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about solutions to systemic problems, use "reduce the strain on" to indicate how a specific intervention can alleviate pressure on resources or infrastructure. For example, "Investing in public transportation can reduce the strain on roadways."

Common error

Avoid using "reduce the strain on" when referring to minor inconveniences or individual preferences. This phrase is best reserved for situations where there's a tangible impact on systems, resources, or groups of people, not just personal feelings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduce the strain on" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action taken to alleviate pressure or stress on a particular entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this action is grammatical and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reduce the strain on" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe efforts to alleviate pressure or burden on various entities, from systems to individuals. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and used across multiple domains, primarily in News & Media and Science. When writing, remember that the best way to use this phrase is to refer to tangible impacts on systems, resources, or groups of people, and not just personal feelings. To maximize its impact, consider contextually appropriate alternatives such as "alleviate the pressure on" or "ease the burden on". This ensures both clarity and precision in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Alleviate the pressure on

Emphasizes easing pressure, which can be physical or emotional.

Lighten the load on

Uses a metaphor of physical weight to represent burden.

Ease the burden on

Focuses on reducing a heavy responsibility or difficulty.

Mitigate the impact on

Highlights lessening the effect of something, often negative.

Diminish the stress on

Specifically targets reducing psychological or emotional stress.

Lessen the impact upon

Similar to mitigate, but with a slightly more formal tone.

Take the pressure off

Suggests removing the source of pressure entirely.

Relieve the stress upon

Implies providing a sense of ease after a period of stress.

Cushion the effect on

Metaphorically uses cushioning to represent protection from negative effects.

Buffer against the impact on

Suggests creating a protective barrier to lessen negative consequences.

FAQs

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

Use "reduce the strain on" to describe actions that lessen the burden or pressure on something, like "Telecommuting can "reduce the strain on" infrastructure".

What's a good alternative to "reduce the strain on"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "alleviate the pressure on", "ease the burden on", or "lighten the load on".

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

While "reduce strain on" might be understood, "reduce the strain on" is more grammatically correct and sounds more natural, especially in formal writing.

Can "reduce the strain on" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

Yes, "reduce the strain on" is versatile and appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "mitigate the impact on" may be preferred in highly academic or professional settings.