to relieve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to relieve" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of alleviating pain, stress, or discomfort, or providing assistance or support. Example: "The medication is designed to relieve headaches and reduce inflammation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I offered to relieve him.

The New Yorker

Treatment is to relieve symptoms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Medications may be given to relieve nausea.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He also needs to relieve himself".

The New York Times

I decided to relieve the tension.

The New York Times

They had surgery to relieve the pressure.

The New York Times

Aspirin can be used to relieve pain.

Encyclopedia Britannica

England kick to relieve the pressure.

The Guardian - Sport

What about exercise to relieve stress?

The New York Times

It's going in to relieve yourself.

The Guardian

(See "Dexia Fails To Relieve").

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to relieve", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being alleviated. For example, "to relieve pain", "to relieve stress", or "to relieve pressure".

Common error

Avoid using "to relieve" with abstract nouns that don't typically experience a reduction in intensity or burden. For example, instead of "to relieve happiness", consider alternatives like "to express happiness" or "to share happiness".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to relieve" primarily functions as an infinitive verb phrase. As Ludwig AI shows, it connects to another verb, expressing purpose or intention, such as in "medications may be given to relieve nausea".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

45%

News & Media

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to relieve" is a versatile infinitive verb phrase used to express the intent of alleviating or reducing negative conditions. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, from formal news reports to informal advice on WikiHow. Its function is primarily to denote purpose, and while it maintains a generally neutral formality, its usage should be carefully considered with abstract nouns to ensure clarity. Alternative phrases include "to alleviate", "to ease", and "to mitigate", each carrying slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to alleviate

Focuses on reducing pain or suffering, similar to "to relieve" but often used in more formal contexts.

to ease

Implies making something less severe or difficult, closely related to "to relieve" in meaning.

to mitigate

Suggests reducing the severity of something negative, similar to "to relieve" but emphasizes lessening impact.

to assuage

Emphasizes soothing or calming, similar to "to relieve" when dealing with emotional distress.

to diminish

Focuses on reducing the size, extent, or importance of something, differing slightly from the direct alleviation implied by "to relieve".

to lessen

Implies making something smaller or less intense, akin to reducing the burden or pressure.

to lighten

Suggests making something less heavy or burdensome, similar to the emotional or physical release implied by "to relieve".

to allay

Implies calming fears or suspicions, a specific form of relief.

to palliate

Suggests easing symptoms without curing the underlying cause, a nuanced form of relief.

to temper

Implies moderating or softening the force of something, similar to controlling or reducing intensity.

FAQs

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

You can use "to relieve" to describe the act of alleviating something negative, such as "The medication is designed "to relieve pain"" or "Exercise can help "to relieve stress"".

What are some alternatives to saying "to relieve"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to alleviate", "to ease", or "to mitigate".

Is there a difference between "to relieve" and "to cure"?

"To relieve" implies alleviating symptoms or discomfort, while "to cure" suggests completely eliminating the cause of a problem. For instance, medication might "to relieve symptoms" of a cold, but there is no "to cure" for the common cold.

When is it appropriate to use "to relieve" in a formal setting?

Using "to relieve" is appropriate in formal settings when discussing the reduction of negative conditions or burdens. For example, "The new policy aims "to relieve financial strain" on small businesses".