to soften

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to soften" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to making something less harsh, intense, or severe. Example: "She tried to soften her criticism with a compliment." Alternative expressions include "to ease" and "to mitigate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fork-prick to soften.

The New Yorker

Let, stand to soften.

The New York Times

Ensor began to soften.

The New York Times - Arts

Let stand to soften.

The New York Times

Set aside to soften.

The New York Times - Food

"Now we have to soften her image.

The New York Times

"Manufacturing continues to soften and decelerate.

The New York Times

He should learn to soften his tone.

The New York Times

He needs to soften his image drastically.

Independent

Norbert seemed abruptly to soften, to relent.

The New Yorker

Not to soften or to weaken.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a nuanced tone, use "to soften" to express making something less severe or harsh, either literally or figuratively. For example, "to soften" criticism or "to soften" butter.

Common error

While "to soften" is versatile, avoid overuse in highly formal or technical writing. Opt for more precise synonyms like "to mitigate" or "to ameliorate" for increased specificity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to soften" primarily functions as a verb, indicating an action of making something less hard, intense, or severe. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Wiki

24%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the infinitive phrase "to soften" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to convey the action of making something less harsh, intense, or rigid. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase sees frequent use across diverse contexts, including News & Media and Wiki. While generally appropriate for both formal and informal communication, it's important to consider the specific context and opt for more precise synonyms, such as "to mitigate" or "to alleviate", in highly formal settings. Ludwig AI's analysis underscores the phrase's broad applicability and acceptability in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to alleviate

Focuses on reducing pain, suffering, or severity.

to mitigate

Implies lessening the impact or force of something negative.

to reduce

Emphasizes making something smaller in size, amount, degree, or intensity.

to lessen

Suggests a decrease in quantity, intensity, or degree.

to weaken

Highlights a reduction in strength or power.

to temper

Implies moderating or balancing something, often to make it less extreme.

to cushion

Focuses on protecting someone from the impact of something unpleasant.

to ease

Suggests making something less difficult or troublesome.

to assuage

Implies relieving or calming negative feelings or emotions.

to mollify

Focuses on appeasing or pacifying someone who is angry or upset.

FAQs

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

You can use "to soften" in various contexts. For example, "She added cream to the coffee to soften the bitter taste", or "The government is trying to soften its stance on immigration".

What can I say instead of "to soften"?

You can use alternatives like "to alleviate", "to mitigate", or "to lessen" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "soften up" is a phrasal verb that can be used as an alternative to "to soften", often implying persuasion or preparation. For example, "The artillery was used to soften up the enemy defenses".

What's the difference between "to soften" and "to weaken"?

"To soften" implies making something less harsh or intense, while "to weaken" suggests a reduction in strength or power. Although related, their specific connotations differ.