to alleviate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to alleviate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of reducing or easing something, such as pain, stress, or a problem. Example: "The new policy was implemented to alleviate the financial burden on low-income families."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

New rules aim to alleviate the problem.

The New York Times

Streaming was developed to alleviate this agony.

The Guardian - Tech

But an oil boom might be expected to alleviate poverty.

The New York Times - Magazine

Justin McLeod, 32, is hoping to alleviate that anguish.

The Guardian - Tech

A bark concoction is said to alleviate asthma.

The New York Times

Did I give to alleviate my own guilt?

The New York Times

When antidepressants and psychotherapy fail to alleviate a crippling depression.

The New York Times - Health

I did a funny to alleviate the tension.

The Guardian - Sport

Chinese officials say they're working to alleviate Google's concerns.

The Guardian - Tech

Actually we euthanized him to alleviate his suffering from cancer.

The New York Times

But nor has it done much to alleviate the problem.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to alleviate", ensure that the object you are alleviating is clearly defined. For instance, specify "to alleviate pain" or "to alleviate concerns" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "to alleviate" when you mean to completely eliminate something. "Alleviate" implies reducing the severity, not eradicating the problem. Use stronger verbs like "eliminate" or "eradicate" when a complete removal is intended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to alleviate" primarily functions as an infinitive of purpose, often used to express the intention behind an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. It indicates an action intended to reduce the intensity or severity of something negative.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to alleviate" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to convey the intention of reducing the severity of something negative. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and formal writing. While versatile, it's important to remember that "alleviate" signifies a reduction in intensity rather than a complete removal or cure. Related phrases like "to ease", "to mitigate" and "to relieve" offer alternatives for nuanced expression, ensuring clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to ease

A more general term for making something less severe or difficult.

to mitigate

Implies reducing the severity or impact of something harmful or negative.

to relieve

Focuses on providing temporary or partial freedom from pain, distress, or difficulty.

to lessen

A simple and direct way to express making something smaller or less intense.

to reduce

Indicates a decrease in quantity, size, or intensity.

to assuage

Suggests soothing or calming something unpleasant, like fears or concerns.

to allay

Similar to "assuage" but often used for calming fears or doubts.

to palliate

Focuses on relieving symptoms without curing the underlying cause.

to ease the burden of

Emphasizes reducing a load or difficulty for someone.

to lighten

Suggests making something less heavy or burdensome, either physically or emotionally.

FAQs

How can I use "to alleviate" in a sentence?

Use "to alleviate" to describe reducing the intensity or severity of something negative, such as "to alleviate pain", "to alleviate stress", or "to alleviate poverty". For example, "The new policy aims to alleviate the financial burden on low-income families".

What can I say instead of "to alleviate"?

You can use alternatives like "to ease", "to mitigate", or "to relieve" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "alleviate the problem"?

Yes, it is correct. "To alleviate the problem" is a common and accepted usage, meaning to reduce the severity or impact of the problem. For example, "New rules aim to alleviate the problem".

What is the difference between "to alleviate" and "to cure"?

"To alleviate" means to reduce the severity of something, whereas "to cure" means to completely eliminate it. You alleviate symptoms, but you cure a disease.