softening

USAGE SUMMARY

"softening" is a valid and usable word in written English.
You can use the word when referring to things that are becoming less strict, intense or harsh. For example, "The recent softening of immigration laws has made it easier for many people to enter the country legally."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He supports a "European" element in national unemployment benefits schemes, aimed at softening the impact of mass unemployment in large parts of particularly southern Europe and especially among the young.

The Guardian

A strong conventional oil and gas performance across the board and more modest growth in the clean energy and environment and infrastructure markets in the Americas are expected to offset reduced oil sands revenue and softening demand in the mining market, and in Australia more generally.

The Guardian - Business

Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz last night insisted he was not softening his stance on same-sex marriage following reports of comments he made at an event hosted by two gay businessmen.

The Guardian

Cameron Diaz has been spotted in Spa Mystique (10220 Constellation Av; 00 1 310 551 3251; www.spamystique.com), where stylists will find your inner 'Chi', before softening your hair with lowlights if you are a 'metal' sign or brightening things up if you are a 'water' sign.

The Guardian - Travel

Softening up the Irish public for a round of cuts and tax hikes, the taoiseach used a live televised address to explain why the government had to slash programmes and raise VAT.

The Guardian

"We hold concerns that this increase is too high against the backdrop of softening labour market conditions and an economy undergoing structural adjustment," Acci's director of employment, Jenny Lambert, said.

The Guardian

Add the garlic, currants and fennel, and cook for five minutes more, until the onion is softening and turning transparent.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Cook for a minute, until the garlic is softening, then add the blitzed tomatoes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In a major sign that the Kremlin was softening its stance on Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday that Russia would work with the Kiev government after the presidential vote.

The Guardian

By providing the party with some red meat, such as the promise of a vote on Europe, the party leadership hope to have produced enough goodwill on their backbenches to give them some leverage on issues aimed at softening the party image.

The Guardian

The second step in many recipes is softening the onions, perhaps along with diced carrots, celery or tomatoes depending on what you're cooking.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "softening" to describe a gradual reduction in intensity, resistance, or rigidity. For instance, "the softening of the government's stance on immigration" implies a change towards a more lenient policy.

Common error

Avoid using "softening" when you mean something is physically becoming softer. For physical contexts, use "becoming soft" or other descriptive adjectives instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "softening" is as a verb, specifically the present participle form, often used in continuous tenses or as a gerund. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in numerous contexts, indicating its role in describing a process of becoming less intense or harsh.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Lifestyle

12%

Business

9%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "softening" is a grammatically correct and commonly used term, primarily functioning as a verb to describe the process of becoming less intense, harsh, or rigid. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in contexts such as news, lifestyle, and business, indicating a gradual reduction in severity or resistance. While synonyms like "moderating", "easing", and "alleviating" exist, the best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. It's important to avoid using "softening" in contexts where physical softening is intended, and be mindful of the specific implications when using "softening up". Overall, understanding the context is crucial for accurately using "softening" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reducing in intensity

Directly indicates a decrease in the degree of something.

becoming less harsh

Emphasizes the reduction of unpleasant or severe qualities.

easing

Suggests a lessening of pressure, tension, or difficulty.

becoming milder

Focuses on a gradual decrease in severity or intensity.

moderating

Implies a conscious effort to reduce extremes or excesses.

diminishing

Implies a gradual decrease in size, importance, or intensity.

alleviating

Highlights the reduction of suffering, pain, or burden.

mitigating

Emphasizes actions taken to reduce the severity of something negative.

becoming more gentle

Focuses on a shift toward a more compassionate or considerate approach.

becoming more flexible

Indicates an increase in adaptability and less rigidity.

FAQs

How is "softening" used in a sentence?

"Softening" is used to describe a gradual reduction in intensity or severity. For example, "The "softening demand" in the market has led to price reductions."

What are some synonyms for "softening"?

Synonyms for "softening" include "moderating", "easing", "alleviating", and "mitigating". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "softening up" instead of "softening"?

The phrase "softening up" often implies preparing someone for something, like a negotiation or difficult news. While related, it's not a direct synonym for "softening", which more broadly describes a reduction in intensity.

What's the difference between "softening" and "weakening"?

"Softening" suggests a reduction in harshness or rigidity, while "weakening" indicates a loss of strength or power. For instance, "softening stance" implies a change in attitude, whereas "weakening economy" suggests a decline in economic health.