What is lessening? Pronunciation and usage in English

lessening means . Learn how to pronounce and use lessening through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of lessening

lesseningnoun

/ˈlesnɪŋ//ˈlesnɪŋ/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "lessening." Here's a breakdown and a few ways to approach it:

1. Phonetic Transcription (Most Accurate):

  • /ˈlɛs.nɪŋ/

Let's dissect that:

  • ˈ - This indicates primary stress (meaning it's the strongest syllable).
  • lɛs - This is the first syllable.
    • l - as in "light"
    • ɛ - (like the "e" in "bed") – a short, open "e" sound
  • nɪ - This is the second syllable.
    • n - as in "no"
    • ɪ - (like the "i" in "bit") – a short "i" sound
  • ŋ - This is the final sound, a "ng" sound as in "sing."

2. Word-by-Word Breakdown & Pronunciation Tips:

  • Less: Say "less" as you normally would. It’s key to get this right.
  • -en: This is a short “e” sound, like in “pen.” It’s a quick glide.
  • -ing: Now add the "-ing" sound. This is where many people stumble. It’s the "ng" sound – as in "sing.” Don’t pronounce it as a regular "ing" sound.

3. Common Mispronunciations & How to Fix Them:

  • Saying "leez-ning": Don’t drop the "s" in "less." It's part of the word.
  • Pronouncing the "-ing" as "ing": This is the biggest mistake. Remember it's the "ng" sound.
  • Making the "e" sound too long: The "e" in "en" is quick.

4. Listen to Examples:

  • Google Search: Search for "how to pronounce lessening" on Google. You’ll find many audio pronunciations.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/lessening/ - This is a website that lets you hear words pronounced by native speakers from different regions.
  • YouTube: Many pronunciation tutorials are on YouTube.

To help me give you even more tailored guidance, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from? (Your accent can affect how you pronounce words.)

Usage and examples with the word lessening in English

Let's break down how to use the word "lessening." It's a fascinating word because it's a participial adjective, meaning it's derived from the verb "lessen" and acts like an adjective describing something.

1. Understanding the Root Verb: "Lessen"

First, let's understand what "lessen" means. It means to make or become smaller or less in amount, degree, or intensity.

  • Example: "The medication is lessening the pain." (The pain is becoming less.)
  • Example: "He lessened his workload to avoid stress." (He reduced his workload.)

2. "Lessening" as an Adjective

Now, "lessening" acts as an adjective. It describes something that is in the process of becoming less. Here's how it’s typically used:

  • Describing a Process: This is the most common usage. It shows that something is actively getting smaller or less.

    • Example: "There is a lessening of tensions between the two countries." (The tensions are currently becoming less.)
    • Example: "The lessening of the rain brought relief after the drought." (The rain was actively becoming less.)
    • Example: "She noticed a lessening of her anxiety since starting therapy." (Her anxiety was gradually decreasing.)

  • Describing a Trend: It can describe a trend or gradual change.

    • Example: “There’s a lessening of reliance on fossil fuels as renewable energy becomes more available.” (The use of fossil fuels is decreasing.)

3. Key Characteristics of "Lessening"

  • Ongoing Action: It implies an ongoing process. It's not a static state of being "less."
  • Gradual Change: It usually suggests a gradual, not sudden, decrease.
  • Focus on the Process: It emphasizes the act of becoming less, rather than just the state of being less.

4. Comparisons to Similar Words

Here’s how “lessening” compares to other similar words:

  • Diminishing: Very similar – often interchangeable, but “diminishing” can sometimes feel a bit more formal or absolute. “Lessening” often feels more dynamic.
  • Decreasing: This is a more straightforward verb form. “Lessening” is more descriptive of the process of decreasing.
  • Reducing: Suggests a deliberate action to make something smaller. “Lessening” can happen naturally or without active effort.

5. Examples in Sentences (Putting it all together):

  • "The lessening of the storm's impact was a welcome surprise."
  • "The company is implementing strategies to lessen employee burnout."
  • "Scientists are observing a lessening of ice cover in the Arctic."
  • "A lessening of the noise helped her concentrate."

Resources for Further Exploration:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What is the context you’re thinking of using “lessening” in? (e.g., writing a story, a formal paper, casual conversation?)

Synonyms for the word lessening

Practice with vocabulary lessening

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The company implemented new training programs aimed at _________ employee turnover.
  2. The city council approved measures for the _________ of traffic congestion during peak hours.
  3. Experts are studying the gradual _________ of polar ice caps due to climate change.
  4. His new role involved the _________ of complex bureaucratic procedures.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following actions would be most effective in _________ the impact of the economic downturn on small businesses? a) exacerbating b) intensifying c) lessening d) amplifying e) alleviating

  2. The board decided to seek options for the _________ of the project's financial risk. a) complete cessation b) diminishing c) increasing d) enhancement e) reduction

  3. To improve team cohesion, management suggested strategies for _________ tension among departments. a) fostering b) curtailing c) escalating d) lessening e) increasing

  4. The new software update aims at _________ redundant steps in the data entry process. a) eliminating b) augmenting c) facilitating d) preserving e) minimizing

  5. The diplomat's careful words contributed to the _________ of hostilities between the two nations. a) intensification b) escalation c) softening d) amelioration e) lessening

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The government is implementing policies to reduce the severity of income inequality.
  2. We need to find ways to make the workload smaller for our overstretched team members.
  3. The marketing team's efforts resulted in a decrease in negative customer feedback.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. lessening
  2. mitigation
  3. lessening
  4. streamlining

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) lessening, e) alleviating
  2. b) diminishing, e) reduction
  3. b) curtailing, d) lessening
  4. a) eliminating, e) minimizing
  5. c) softening, d) amelioration, e) lessening

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The government is implementing policies for the lessening of income inequality.
  2. We need to find ways of alleviating the workload for our overstretched team members.
  3. The marketing team's efforts resulted in a lessening of negative customer feedback.

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