tempering down

USAGE SUMMARY

"tempering down" is a valid phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe bringing something down to a more moderate level. For example, "In order to come to a middle ground, they agreed to temper down the terms of their contract."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It's not a peace agreement, but a tempering down" of old hostilities, Bruce Jacobs, who directs Taiwan research at Australia's Monash University, said in an interview.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I decided to temper down my bridge playing until I graduate.

Stanford University

There's a semi-orgy scene with young lovelies that's way tempered down from the original script.

Independent

In his address, he attempted to temper down fears about the negative effects of the deals on jobs by admitting that past trade deals negotiated by the US had caused more damage than good.

The Guardian - Money

First, as stated above, diuretics lack of efficacy has to be tempered down with regard to the high risk of bias in available studies.

Annals of Intensive Care

Asked by VICE, however, MacKay tried to temper down fears that the legislation would be a big change.

Vice

While Twitter nearly doubled its audience in April, its monthly growth rate did temper down from the 131 percent growth in March.

TechCrunch

Stoughton and a number of high-profile religious and political figures in the colony stepped into the dispute to bring tempers down and reinforce the colony's position on religious tolerance.

Wikipedia

He was blessed with a first-rate intellect tempered with down-to-earth common sense.

Forbes

He insisted, however, that "Mitt Romney has never once asked me to temper anything down".

The New York Times

It is called, modestly or not, BeamerBall.com and actually is tempered with a down home sentiment -- part of the revenue will be parceled among his coaches.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tempering down" when you want to convey a deliberate reduction in intensity or severity, especially in situations involving emotions, policies, or actions. It's more nuanced than simply 'reducing' as it often implies careful control.

Common error

While "tempering down" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively in highly formal or academic writing where more precise and sophisticated vocabulary might be preferred. Consider alternatives like "mitigating" or "alleviating" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tempering down" functions as a phrasal verb, modifying a noun or action to indicate a reduction in intensity or impact. Ludwig examples show it applying to emotions, policies and fears.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "tempering down" is a way of expressing moderation or reduction in intensity. Ludwig AI confirms it's a valid phrase with various applications, although relatively uncommon. It is particularly useful in contexts where a deliberate effort to control or soften something is emphasized. When writing, consider the level of formality required; while "tempering down" is acceptable in many situations, more formal contexts may benefit from alternatives like "mitigating" or "alleviating". Remember that it functions to lessen impact, reduce intensity, or soften an approach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

toning down

Informal way to say something is made less intense.

moderating

Focuses on reducing extremity or intensity.

softening

Suggests a decrease in harshness or severity.

reducing

Implies lessening the degree or amount of something.

lessening

Similar to reducing, but can also refer to importance.

alleviating

Specifically refers to reducing suffering or difficulty.

dampening

Suggests a suppression or weakening effect.

curtailing

Implies limiting or restricting something.

mitigating

Focuses on reducing the negative impact of something.

diluting

Suggests making something weaker by adding something else.

FAQs

What does "tempering down" mean?

The phrase "tempering down" means to reduce the intensity or force of something, making it milder or more controlled. It suggests a deliberate effort to moderate or soften a situation, emotion, or policy.

How can I use "tempering down" in a sentence?

You might say, "The company decided on "tempering down" its marketing campaign after receiving negative feedback" or "The diplomat attempted "tempering down" the rising tensions between the two nations".

What are some alternatives to "tempering down"?

Alternatives include "moderating", "softening", "reducing", or "alleviating" depending on the context. Each carries a slightly different nuance, so choose the one that best fits your intended meaning.

Is "tempering down" formal or informal?

"Tempering down" falls in the middle. It's suitable for many contexts, including news reports and general writing, but may be too informal for highly academic or technical documents. Consider the audience and purpose of your writing.