scope to lessen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scope to lessen" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts discussing the potential or opportunity to reduce something, but it may require clarification or rephrasing for better understanding. Example: "There is some scope to lessen the impact of the new policy on small businesses."

Academia

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

With large courses, the tendency would be to create fewer assignments that are larger in scope to lessen the amount of grading.

Johns Hopkins University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

So there is only limited scope for such products' makers to lessen their environmental footprints through green measures of their own.As a result, most corporate sustainability plans rarely amount to more than cost-saving measures and compliance with government regulations, plus a few projects with a public-relations punch (say, reforesting parts of a cleared jungle).

The Economist

Derivatives allow them to lessen that risk.

The Economist

Typically, businesses want to lessen government regulation.

The New York Times

The goal is to lessen smoking, right?

The New York Times

To deprecate means to lessen in value.

Cornell University

Use them wisely to lessen your risk.

Harvard University

Official efforts to lessen anger have increased.

The Guardian

"There is a push to lessen suspensions.

The Washington Post

A vaccine is urgently needed to lessen this global burden.

European Journal of Pharmacology

Mycophenolate sodium (MPS) was designed to lessen MPA-associated AE.

Transplantation Proceedings

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger alternatives like "opportunity to reduce" or "potential to decrease" for improved clarity and impact. While "scope to lessen" is grammatically sound, it may not be the most direct or widely recognized way to express the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid relying heavily on the phrase "scope to lessen" in formal documents or academic papers. Opt for clearer and more common alternatives to ensure your writing is precise and easily understood. Using more familiar phrases will improve the overall readability of your text.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scope to lessen" functions as an infinitive phrase indicating purpose. It modifies a noun or clause by specifying the aim or intention behind an action. It conveys the existence of potential to reduce something. While grammatically sound, Ludwig indicates it may not be the most common or impactful way to express the idea.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

35%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "scope to lessen" is a grammatically correct but somewhat uncommon construction used to indicate the potential or opportunity to reduce something. Ludwig suggests it may sound slightly awkward and that more direct alternatives might be preferred for clarity. Although it appears across various domains, including news, academia, and science, its usage is infrequent, suggesting that writers may opt for stronger, more recognizable alternatives. When aiming for clarity and impact, consider using phrases like "opportunity to reduce" or "potential to mitigate".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scope for reducing

A simple rephrasing that replaces "to lessen" with "for reducing".

opportunity to decrease

Replaces "scope" with a direct synonym "opportunity" and "lessen" with "decrease", offering a more straightforward alternative.

potential to mitigate

Substitutes "scope" with "potential" and "lessen" with "mitigate", suggesting a slightly more formal tone.

capacity to reduce

Similar to "ability to alleviate" but uses the more common word "reduce".

ability to alleviate

Replaces "scope" with "ability" and "lessen" with "alleviate", implying a capacity to make something more bearable.

room to diminish

Uses "room" as a synonym for "scope" and "diminish" instead of "lessen", indicating a gradual reduction.

prospect of diminishing

Uses "prospect" as a synonym for "scope" and "diminishing" instead of "lessen", indicating a future reduction.

chance to minimize

Emphasizes the intention to make something as small as possible.

way to curtail

Suggests a method for restricting or limiting something.

means to abate

Implies a way to reduce the intensity or severity of something, often used in formal contexts.

FAQs

What does "scope to lessen" mean?

The phrase "scope to lessen" suggests that there is an opportunity or potential to reduce something. It implies that actions can be taken to decrease the impact, intensity, or amount of a particular thing.

Is "scope to lessen" grammatically correct?

Yes, "scope to lessen" is grammatically correct, although it might sound slightly awkward to some native English speakers. It's generally better to use more common alternatives for clearer communication.

What are some alternatives to "scope to lessen"?

You can use alternatives such as "opportunity to reduce", "potential to mitigate", or "ability to alleviate" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "scope to lessen"?

While grammatically correct, it's best to use "scope to lessen" sparingly. More direct alternatives like "opportunity to reduce" are often preferred, especially in formal writing. However, it can be used in contexts where you want to emphasize the potential for reduction.