was lessened by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was lessened by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been reduced or diminished by a particular factor or influence. Example: "The impact of the storm was lessened by the advanced warning system that alerted residents in time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

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

The New York Times - Sports

But if he felt any ambivalence about accepting the Pomona job, it was lessened by the knowledge that Wallace had gone before him.

The New Yorker

With [computer] software, casual copying was lessened by a combination of education efforts and evolving, maturing business models, with some exemplary prosecutions of large-scale piracy.

The New York Times

The burden of household chores was lessened by hiring a cleaner and a kitchen timetable was drawn up to avoid the problem of too many cooks.

The Guardian

This submersion was lessened by a rather sentimental score for solo piano, played by a Bard student, Kazio Sosnowski; pretty rather than meaningful, it narrowed the dance's emotional range, blunting its more sinister and mysterious shadings.

The New York Times - Arts

That's not to say that Stephen Dillane wasn't impressive, more that the force of what he gambled and ultimately lost was lessened by the amount of time he spent off stage.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

That risk can be lessened by surveillance.

The Economist

Every piece here is lessened by comparison.

The Guardian - Arts

And abnormality is lessened by the fact that there are two of them".

The New York Times - Arts

Sadly the lure of plunder and nostalgic action is lessened by some annoying niggles.

The Guardian - Tech

"The supply has been lessened by one potential guy, and presumably the demand remains the same".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was lessened by" to clearly indicate that something's negative impact or intensity has been reduced due to a specific factor. This emphasizes the mitigating effect of the factor.

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice. While "was lessened by" is grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound weak. Consider restructuring the sentence to use an active voice for a more direct and engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was lessened by" functions as a verbal phrase in the passive voice, indicating that an action or influence reduced the intensity, effect, or degree of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was lessened by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase indicating that something has been reduced in intensity or impact due to a specific factor. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English. It is most commonly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When writing, be aware of the passive voice and consider using the active voice for a stronger tone where appropriate. Alternative phrases like "was diminished by" or "was reduced by" can be used for variety, but ensure they fit the specific nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was diminished by

Replaces 'lessened' with 'diminished', suggesting a decrease in size, extent, or importance.

was reduced by

Replaces 'lessened' with 'reduced', indicating a decrease in amount, size, or intensity.

was mitigated by

Replaces 'lessened' with 'mitigated', suggesting a reduction in severity or painfulness.

was alleviated by

Replaces 'lessened' with 'alleviated', implying a relief from suffering or difficulty.

was eased by

Replaces 'lessened' with 'eased', suggesting a reduction in tension or pressure.

was attenuated by

Replaces 'lessened' with 'attenuated', indicating a weakening or reduction in force.

was softened by

Replaces 'lessened' with 'softened', suggesting a less harsh or severe impact.

was weakened by

Replaces 'lessened' with 'weakened', indicating a reduction in strength or effectiveness.

was tempered by

Replaces 'lessened' with 'tempered', suggesting a moderation or restraint of something.

was abated by

Replaces 'lessened' with 'abated', indicating a reduction in intensity or degree.

FAQs

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

The phrase "was lessened by" indicates that something has been reduced or diminished by a particular factor. For example, "The impact of the storm was lessened by the advanced warning system." /s/advanced+warning+system

What are some alternatives to "was lessened by"?

You can use alternatives such as "was diminished by", "was reduced by", or "was mitigated by" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "was lessened by"?

While "was lessened by" is in the passive voice, consider using the active voice for a more direct tone. For example, instead of "The impact was lessened by the measures", try "The measures lessened the impact".

What is the difference between "was lessened by" and "was offset by"?

"Was lessened by" indicates a reduction in something negative, while "was offset by" implies a balancing of two opposing forces or effects. They are not interchangeable.