to inject some levity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to inject some levity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to introduce humor or light-heartedness into a serious or tense situation. Example: "During the meeting, she decided to inject some levity by sharing a funny story to ease the tension."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

So, in that spirit, here are three ways to inject some levity into your workplace.

Harvard Business Review

Even programs that seek to inject some levity into our rancorous political theater run on the same noxious fuel.

The New York Times - Magazine

Despite the seriousness of purpose on Apollo 14, the two moonwalkers were able to inject some levity into proceedings as Mitchell conducted a javelin throw with a shovel and Shepard practised his golf swing on the lunar surface.

The Guardian

"I looked around, and I started seeing the fanatics getting into it [yoga] and I thought, 'Something isn't right here.'" He decided to inject some levity into what he perceived as a community that takes itself too seriously.

Los Angeles Times

The governor and his staff tried to inject some levity into the otherwise staid budget presentation by invoking the legendary Aesop's fable of the ant and the grasshopper, the story that depicts the perils of not planning for the potential problems of the future.

Los Angeles Times

Liberal group Moveon.org sought to inject some levity into the campaign Friday, releasing a humorous spot that features people saying, "Mitt Romney, get your hand out of my pocket!" "Mitt Romney's plan will take money out of your pocket, to pay for tax plans for billionaires," says a narrator.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

He never seemed to add anything of substance to the debates, but he did inject some levity, with his embarrassing mistakes and his constant striving for the lowest common denominator.

The New Yorker

All of these things point to one thing: whether he's trolling with a purpose or simply for the sake of laughs, Marshmello is clearly just trying to have a good time and inject some levity into a culture that can sometimes take itself a little too seriously.

Vice

There's Jamie Dimon, head of JPMorgan Chase, who publicly took exception to President Obama's reference to Wall Street fat cats: If Mr. Dimon did a turnaround and organized Fat Cats United, he'd show himself a good sport and inject some levity into the heavy atmosphere.

Huffington Post

Why not just throw Rambo in the mix to inject some much-needed fun and levity and evil mutant monsters into the franchise?

Vice

"You still have to inject some sanity".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about serious topics, use "to inject some levity" to offer a brief moment of humor or lightheartedness. This can make your writing more engaging and relatable, without diminishing the importance of the subject matter.

Common error

Avoid injecting levity at inappropriate moments. Using humor during serious situations can undermine your message and potentially offend your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to inject some levity" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically used as an adverbial modifier to describe the purpose or intention behind an action. Ludwig shows its use in various contexts to describe attempts to lighten serious situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

16%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to inject some levity" is a grammatically correct infinitive phrase used to describe the act of introducing humor or lightheartedness into a situation. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While not exceptionally common, it appears across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When considering related phrases, options like "to lighten the mood" or "to add a touch of humor" offer similar semantic meaning. A key writing tip is to use "to inject some levity" judiciously, ensuring it aligns with the tone and context of your writing to avoid undermining serious messages.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to inject a note of humor

Similar to the original, but emphasizes a singular instance of humor.

to lighten the mood

Focuses on making the atmosphere less serious or tense.

to introduce some comic relief

Specifically refers to easing tension through comedy.

to add a touch of humor

Emphasizes the addition of humor as a subtle element.

to introduce a bit of fun

Highlights the introduction of enjoyment or playfulness.

to add a humorous element

Highlights adding a feature of being funny, amusing.

to bring some cheer

Focuses on bringing happiness and optimism.

to leaven the atmosphere

Uses "leaven" as a verb, meaning to enliven or modify.

to add a spark of amusement

Emphasizes a quick, bright burst of amusement.

to take the edge off

Reduces the intensity or severity of a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "to inject some levity" in a sentence?

You can use "to inject some levity" when you want to introduce humor or light-heartedness into a serious or tense situation. Example: "During the budget presentation, the governor and his staff tried "to inject some levity" by invoking Aesop's fable."

What does "to inject some levity" mean?

"To inject some levity" means to introduce a humorous or light-hearted element into a situation, often to relieve tension or make it more pleasant.

What can I say instead of "to inject some levity"?

Alternatives include "to lighten the mood", "to add a touch of humor", or "to introduce comic relief", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "to inject some levity"?

It's appropriate to use "to inject some levity" when a situation is serious, tense, or formal, and a bit of humor or lightheartedness could help to ease the tension or make it more engaging. However, it's important to consider the context and audience to ensure that humor is well-received.