try to alleviate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try to alleviate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing efforts to reduce or lessen something, such as pain, stress, or a problem. Example: "The organization aims to try to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the disaster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

There was no mercy -- only misery, along with a bevy of creative, cunning ways to try to alleviate it.

The New York Times

I know it's not the most pleasant experience, so I try to alleviate the worry by explaining the emotions people feel as they lie back.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Thank you for having opened your borders and let's see what we can do about the whole situation to try to alleviate it and facilitate it," he said.

The Guardian

If the cause of poverty remains strange and mysterious, we certainly don't have to invest in programs that try to alleviate it.

The New York Times

The victims were suffering from chemical poisoning, but there wasn't much that the doctors could do except try to alleviate the symptoms.

The New Yorker

The proposal does try to alleviate the effect on poorer beneficiaries, offering increases beyond the chained index from age 76 to age 85.

The New York Times

"If suffering were an unavoidable part of our existence, we should try to alleviate it as far as possible in practical, earthly ways".

The New York Times

The detailed testimony of UK food poverty, both from those who suffer from it and those who try to alleviate it, still retains the power to startle and dismay.

The Guardian

Begging to be judged by how quickly problems were solved, not by the problems themselves, Romney said that organizers would try to alleviate backups sooner by using state helicopters.

The New York Times - Sports

The meeting predated a number of actions taken by the central bank to try to alleviate market volatility, including the Aug. 17 lowering of the discount rate, the interest the Fed charges banks to borrow money.

The New York Times

Summoned by his boss after hilariously botching a nightmare fact-checking assignment, the hero knows what's coming: "You try to alleviate the terror by thinking how ridiculous her French braids look, like spinnakers on a tugboat.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "try to alleviate", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Mitigate" might be better for reducing severity, while "ease" could be more appropriate for reducing discomfort. Choose the word that best fits the context.

Common error

While "try to alleviate" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your language sound less precise. Vary your vocabulary by using stronger verbs like "resolve", "eliminate", or "rectify" where appropriate to convey a more decisive and impactful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to alleviate" functions primarily as a verb phrase expressing an attempt to lessen or reduce something negative, such as suffering, pain, or a problem. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

29%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "try to alleviate" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe attempts to lessen or reduce something negative. As Ludwig AI confirms, its frequent appearance in news, scientific, and formal contexts indicates its broad applicability and acceptability. While it's a common phrase, consider using more precise vocabulary like "mitigate", "ease", or "reduce" to enhance clarity and impact. Remember, varying your vocabulary can improve the quality and sophistication of your writing. This phrase, as seen in various examples, can be used in describing attempts to reduce human suffering, symptoms of diseases or impacts from policies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try to mitigate

Replaces "alleviate" with "mitigate", suggesting an attempt to lessen the severity of something.

try to ease

Uses "ease" instead of "alleviate", implying an attempt to make something less burdensome or painful.

try to lessen

Substitutes "alleviate" with "lessen", focusing on reducing the amount or degree of something.

try to reduce

Replaces "alleviate" with "reduce", emphasizing the act of bringing something to a smaller size or amount.

try to diminish

Uses "diminish" in place of "alleviate", suggesting an attempt to make something smaller or less significant.

try to relieve

Replaces "alleviate" with "relieve", focusing on providing comfort or ease from distress.

try to allay

Substitutes "alleviate" with "allay", implying an attempt to calm or reduce the intensity of something.

attempt to remedy

Uses "remedy" instead of "alleviate", focusing on correcting or improving an undesirable situation.

seek to alleviate

Replaces "try" with "seek", emphasizing the intention or effort to alleviate something.

aim to alleviate

Uses "aim" instead of "try", focusing on the goal of alleviating something.

FAQs

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

You can use "try to alleviate" to describe attempts to reduce or lessen negative impacts, such as "We must try to alleviate the suffering caused by the disaster" or "The new policies try to alleviate the economic burden on families".

What are some alternatives to "try to alleviate"?

Some alternatives include "try to mitigate", "try to ease", or "try to reduce depending" on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "attempt to alleviate" rather than "try to alleviate"?

"Attempt to alleviate" is slightly more formal than "try to alleviate", but the difference is minimal. Both are suitable for most contexts, but "attempt" may add a touch of seriousness or official tone.

When is it not appropriate to use "try to alleviate"?

While generally acceptable, "try to alleviate" might be too weak in situations requiring decisive action or when conveying certainty. In such cases, consider using stronger verbs like "resolve", "eliminate", or "rectify".