dragn
Joined: 17 Feb 2009
Posts: 450
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 Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 10:47 am Post subject: |
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There are two sentences.
"It weakens the differential between the compared degree values."
"It leseens the differential between the compared degree values."
Which sentence is better?
Or is there any other better verb that can replace "weaken" and "lessen"? |
Here's the problem: it's virtually impossible for anyone to say which is "better" because we don't have a full grasp of the context of what you're talking about. In case you're wondering, that's also probably why this question has sat unanswered for a week. 
As a first guess with no knowledge of the context, I would say lessen seems to make better sense because lessen means to make something smaller in size, degree, intensity, or importance. The differential between things is essentially just a difference, and a difference is something that we normally think of as being large or small—and thus as something that can be made larger or smaller.
Having said that, however, I know what is bound to happen next: you will no doubt post the requisite context that makes it crystal clear that weaken is obviously the superior choice and that only a grammatically challenged ignoramus would choose lessen. 
Greg
P.S. I could suggest numerous other verbs, but it would be pointless without knowing precisely what you are talking about and precisely what you want to say about it. |
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