Lessened vs Lessoned: When to Opt for One Term Over Another

Are you someone who is often confused between the usage of the words ‘lessened’ and ‘lessoned’? If yes, then you have come to the right place. In this article, we will discuss the difference between these two words and the correct usage of each.

It is important to understand that ‘lessened’ and ‘lessoned’ are not interchangeable. They have different meanings and uses.

‘Lessened’ is the proper word to use when referring to a decrease in the quantity, degree, intensity, or importance of something. For example, “The pain lessened after taking the medication.” It means to make something smaller or weaker.

‘Lessoned’, on the other hand, is not a proper word in the English language. It does not have a definition or usage. Therefore, it is incorrect to use ‘lessoned’ in any context.

Now that we have established the proper usage of ‘lessened’, let us delve deeper into the different ways in which it can be used. In the following sections, we will discuss the various contexts in which ‘lessened’ can be used and provide examples to illustrate its usage.

Define Lessened

Lessened is a verb that means to make something smaller or reduce its amount or intensity. It is often used to describe a decrease or a decline in something. Lessened can also refer to a diminishing of importance or value.

Example: The impact of the pandemic has lessened the demand for travel.

Define Lessoned

Lesson is a noun that refers to a unit of instruction or a period of learning. Lessoned is not a commonly used word in the English language. However, it can be used to describe the act of receiving or giving a lesson.

Example: The students lessoned on the importance of time management in their class today.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the correct word in a sentence is crucial to ensure that the message is conveyed accurately. In this section, we will discuss how to properly use the words “lessened” and “lessoned” in a sentence.

How To Use “Lessened” In A Sentence

The word “lessened” is a verb that means to make something smaller in amount or degree. Here are some examples of how to use “lessened” in a sentence:

• The doctor prescribed medication to lessen the pain.
• The company decided to lessen its carbon footprint by implementing eco-friendly practices.
• The impact of the pandemic has lessened over time.

It is important to note that “lessened” is the past tense of “lessen”. Therefore, it should be used in the past tense form of a sentence.

How To Use “Lessoned” In A Sentence

The word “lessoned” is not a commonly used word in the English language. However, it can be used as a verb that means to give a lesson or to instruct. Here are some examples of how to use “lessoned” in a sentence:

• The teacher lessoned the students on the importance of recycling.
• The coach lessoned the team on the new strategy for the game.
• The parent lessoned their child on the dangers of talking to strangers online.

It is important to note that “lessoned” is not a commonly used word and may not be understood by all readers. Therefore, it is recommended to use more commonly used words such as “taught” or “instructed” instead.

More Examples Of Lessened & Lessoned Used In Sentences

In this section, we will explore more examples of how the words “lessened” and “lessoned” can be used in a sentence.

Examples Of Using Lessened In A Sentence

• The pain lessened after taking the medication.
• The intensity of the storm lessened as it moved inland.
• The number of employees has lessened since the company downsized.
• The impact of the pandemic has lessened in recent months.
• The tension in the room lessened once the issue was resolved.
• The severity of the injury lessened over time with proper treatment.
• The value of the property lessened after the market crash.
• The stress of the situation lessened after talking to a therapist.
• The weight of the load lessened as items were removed.
• The amount of traffic lessened during the holidays.

Examples Of Using Lessoned In A Sentence

• The coach lessoned the team on proper technique.
• The teacher lessoned the students on the importance of recycling.
• The mentor lessoned the mentee on effective communication skills.
• The parent lessoned the child on the dangers of texting while driving.
• The trainer lessoned the athlete on the benefits of stretching.
• The professor lessoned the class on the history of the Renaissance.
• The instructor lessoned the students on how to solve complex equations.
• The guide lessoned the tourists on the local customs and traditions.
• The expert lessoned the audience on the latest trends in technology.
• The consultant lessoned the client on best practices for business growth.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words “lessened” and “lessoned,” people often make the mistake of using them interchangeably. However, these two words have different meanings and should be used in the appropriate context. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Using “Lessened” Instead Of “Lessoned”

One common mistake is using “lessened” instead of “lessoned.” “Lessened” means to make something smaller or reduce its intensity, while “lessoned” is not a recognized word in the English language.

For example, it would be incorrect to say, “I lessoned my workload by delegating tasks to my team.” The correct usage would be, “I lessened my workload by delegating tasks to my team.”

Using “Lessoned” Instead Of “Lesson”

Another common mistake is using “lessoned” instead of “lesson.” “Lesson” is a noun that refers to a period of teaching or instruction, while “lessoned” is not a recognized word in the English language.

For example, it would be incorrect to say, “I lessoned my students on the importance of grammar.” The correct usage would be, “I gave a lesson to my students on the importance of grammar.”

Using “Lessoned” Instead Of “Lessened”

Finally, some people make the mistake of using “lessoned” instead of “lessened.” As previously mentioned, “lessoned” is not a recognized word in the English language, while “lessened” means to make something smaller or reduce its intensity.

For example, it would be incorrect to say, “The teacher lessoned the amount of homework she assigned.” The correct usage would be, “The teacher lessened the amount of homework she assigned.”

Tips For Avoiding These Mistakes

To avoid these common mistakes, it’s important to understand the meanings of “lessened” and “lesson” and use them appropriately. Always double-check your writing to ensure that you are using the correct word.

• Use a dictionary or thesaurus to confirm the meaning of a word before using it.
• Proofread your writing carefully to catch any errors.
• Ask a friend or colleague to review your writing and provide feedback.

By following these tips, you can avoid common mistakes and improve the clarity and accuracy of your writing.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between “lessened” and “lessoned,” context is key. Both words are commonly used in the English language, but they have distinct meanings that can affect the overall message of a sentence. Understanding the context in which these words are used is crucial to selecting the appropriate term.

Lessened

“Lessened” is the past tense of the verb “lessen,” which means to make something smaller or reduce in amount or intensity. It is often used to describe a decrease in quantity or quality. For example:

• The amount of pollution in the river has lessened over the years.
• The severity of the storm lessened as it moved further inland.

In these examples, “lessened” is used to describe a reduction in something specific.

Lessoned

“Lessoned” is the past tense of the verb “lesson,” which means to teach or instruct. It is often used to describe the process of learning or gaining knowledge. For example:

• The teacher lessoned the importance of studying for exams.
• I have lessoned a lot about gardening from my grandmother.

In these examples, “lessoned” is used to describe the act of teaching or learning something.

It is important to note that while “lessened” and “lessoned” are both past tense verbs, they are not interchangeable. Using the wrong term can change the meaning of a sentence entirely. For example, saying “The teacher lessened the importance of studying for exams” would imply that the teacher made studying less important, rather than teaching the importance of studying.

Context Examples

Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “lessened” and “lessoned” might change:

Context	Appropriate Word	Example Sentence
Environmental Science	Lessened	The amount of carbon emissions has lessened over the years.
Education	Lessoned	The teacher lessoned the importance of reading comprehension to her students.
Medicine	Lessened	The patient’s pain lessened after taking the prescribed medication.
Music	Lesson	I have been taking piano lessons for two years now.

As you can see, the choice between “lessened” and “lessoned” can vary depending on the context in which they are used. Understanding the meaning of each word and the appropriate context for its use is essential for effective communication.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using lessened and lessoned are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions where their usage may not be as clear-cut. Below are some examples of situations where the rules may not apply:

1. Regional Differences

It is important to note that the usage of lessened and lessoned may vary based on regional differences. For instance, in British English, the word “lessened” is commonly used in place of “reduced,” while “lessoned” is rarely used. In American English, however, the usage of “lessened” and “lessoned” is more balanced. Therefore, it is essential to consider the audience and the context when deciding which word to use.

2. Contextual Meaning

Depending on the context, the usage of lessened and lessoned may not be interchangeable. For example, the word “lessened” is typically used to indicate a reduction in quantity or intensity, while “lessoned” is used to indicate a reduction in the frequency or duration of something. Therefore, it is crucial to consider the contextual meaning of the sentence before deciding which word to use.

3. Colloquial Usage

There are instances where colloquial usage may overrule the standard rules of grammar. In some cases, people may use “lessened” and “lessoned” interchangeably, even though it may not be grammatically correct. For example, someone may say, “I lessoned my workload,” instead of “I lessened my workload.” While this usage may not be standard, it is still important to be aware of it.

4. Historical Usage

Finally, historical usage may also play a role in the usage of lessened and lessoned. For instance, in older texts, “lessoned” is more commonly used than “lessened.” However, in modern English, the usage of “lessened” has become more prevalent. Therefore, when dealing with older texts, it is essential to be mindful of the historical usage of these words.

Practice Exercises

One of the best ways to improve your understanding and use of lessened and lessoned is to practice using them in sentences. Here are some practice exercises to help you:

Exercise 1

Fill in the blank with the correct word:

The teacher __________ the difficulty of the test by giving us a study guide.

Answer: lessened

Explanation: In this sentence, lessened means to make something smaller or reduce its intensity. The teacher reduced the difficulty of the test by giving us a study guide.

Exercise 2

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence:

The coach __________ the team on the importance of teamwork.

• A. lessened
• B. lessoned

Answer: B. lessoned

Explanation: In this sentence, lessoned means to teach or instruct. The coach instructed the team on the importance of teamwork.

Exercise 3

Fill in the blank with the correct word:

The pain medication __________ the patient’s discomfort.

Answer: lessened

Explanation: In this sentence, lessened means to make something smaller or reduce its intensity. The pain medication reduced the patient’s discomfort.

By practicing with these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of lessened and lessoned in sentences.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between “lessened” and “lessoned,” it is clear that these two words have distinct meanings and should not be used interchangeably. While “lessened” refers to a reduction in amount or degree, “lessoned” specifically pertains to the act of teaching or instructing.

It is important to pay attention to the nuances of language use in order to effectively communicate and avoid confusion. By understanding the differences between similar words, we can improve our writing and speaking skills.

Key Takeaways:

• “Lessened” means to reduce in amount or degree
• “Lesson” is a noun meaning a unit of instruction, while “lessoned” is a verb meaning to teach or instruct
• Using the correct word can enhance communication and avoid confusion

Continuing to learn about grammar and language use can greatly benefit our communication skills. By staying informed and practicing proper language use, we can become more effective communicators in both our personal and professional lives.