What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dampen
Example
The rain dampened our clothes. [dampened: past tense]
Example
The negative feedback dampened his enthusiasm for the project. [dampened: verb]
reduce
Example
We need to reduce our expenses to save money. [reduce: verb]
Example
The recipe calls for reducing the sauce by half. [reducing: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Reduce is more commonly used than dampen in everyday language. Reduce is a versatile word that can be used in a wide range of contexts, while dampen is less common and more specific in meaning.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between dampen and reduce?
Both dampen and reduce are neutral in formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
