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AH020387 Posted 16 years ago
Vocabulary

Decline

Decline only means 'lower' not 'lessen'?
  

Top answer

My view is that "to decline" as a verb is only intransitive, while "to lessen" can be intransitive or transitive. She lessened the pain by applying a topical analgesic. ") Sorry, I'm not awake yet.

— Avangi

  • My view is that "to decline" as a verb is only intransitive, while "to lessen" can be intransitive or transitive.
  • She lessened the pain by applying a topical analgesic.
  • ") Sorry, I'm not awake yet.
  • (transitive) All three of these words have multiple uses.
  • You need to be more specific.
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2 Answers
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My view is that "to decline" as a verb is only intransitive, while "to lessen" can be intransitive or transitive.
She lessened the pain by applying a topical analgesic. (You can't do that with "decline.")

Sorry, I'm not awake yet. You can decline an offer.(transitive)

All three of these words have multiple uses. You need to be more specific.

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