was lessened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was lessened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been reduced or diminished in intensity, amount, or degree. Example: "The impact of the storm was lessened by the timely evacuation of residents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The risk to our soldiers was lessened.

The New York Times

Ndereba's disappointment was lessened because she lost to a countrywoman.

The New York Times - Sports

The supply problem was lessened by China's increasing contribution to groundfish supply (FAO, 2007).

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The control was lessened still further when Xabi Alonso was withdrawn.

The Guardian - Sport

After Carr delivered a diatribe to Mission Control, the work load was lessened.

The New Yorker

When asked if his victory was lessened by the truncated race, Button replied to the contrary.

The New York Times - Sports

And that ruling, against Gen. Radislav Krstic, was lessened on appeal to "aiding and abetting genocide".

The New York Times

Additionally, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was elevated, while the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) was lessened in liver tissue.

Food and Chemical Toxicology

The color intensity of the four polyimide series was lessened in the following order: V>VII>VI>VIII.

Polymer

The impact was lessened somewhat by the fact that public schools in the city were closed for teachers' conferences.

The New York Times

She says that Guantanamo Bay was probably not a place where people's hostility to the west was lessened.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was lessened" in passive voice constructions to emphasize the thing that is being reduced, rather than the actor performing the reduction.

Common error

While "was lessened" is grammatically sound, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider using active voice where appropriate for a more direct and engaging style. For instance, instead of "The impact was lessened by the new policy", you could write "The new policy lessened the impact."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was lessened" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject experienced a reduction in some attribute. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically correct and usable construct. The numerous examples show its role in describing a state of reduction or alleviation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

40%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was lessened" is a grammatically correct and widely used passive verb phrase that conveys a reduction in something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for describing a variety of situations, ranging from the mitigation of risks to the alleviation of pain. While it appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts, writers should be mindful of the potential for overuse of the passive voice. Alternatives such as "was reduced" or "was diminished" can provide stylistic variation. Given its prevalence and versatility, "was lessened" is a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was reduced

Direct synonym, implying a decrease in quantity, size, or extent.

was diminished

Suggests a gradual decrease, often in importance or strength.

was alleviated

Focuses on the lessening of pain, suffering, or difficulty.

was mitigated

Implies actions taken to reduce the severity of something negative.

was decreased

Similar to "was reduced" but can apply to abstract concepts like risk.

was softened

Suggests a gentler or less harsh impact.

was eased

Implies a reduction in pressure or tension.

was weakened

Indicates a loss of strength or effectiveness.

saw a reduction

Nominalization that restructures the sentence.

experienced a decrease

Similar to "saw a reduction", emphasizes the event of decreasing.

FAQs

How can I use "was lessened" in a sentence?

Use "was lessened" to describe something that has been reduced in intensity, degree, or amount. For example, "The pain "was lessened" by the medication."

What are some alternatives to "was lessened"?

Alternatives include "was reduced", "was diminished", or "was alleviated", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "was lessened" or "lessened"?

The phrase "was lessened" is a passive construction and needs a subject. To use "lessened" actively, rephrase the sentence. For example, instead of "The impact was lessened", you could say "The measures lessened the impact".

What's the difference between "was lessened" and "was mitigated"?

"Was lessened" generally means reduced in some way, while "was mitigated" specifically implies that actions were taken to reduce the severity of something negative, such as a risk or problem.