Is there a nicer/politer/more positive alternative for “negates”?












8















I have somewhere the following sentence:




our platform negates the need for a middleman ...




but I do not want to offend or upset the middlemen whomever it is ... there are many middlemen in the context I'm reffering to there.



The question is how can I replace "negate" that is too abrupt, radical and may upset people with something more reasonable?



Would "diminishes" be a good alternative? other suggestions?










share|improve this question




















  • 1





    How about "offsets"?

    – Hot Licks
    Mar 21 at 17:27






  • 7





    “Eliminates the middleman” is a common phrase, but i don’t see how that would make the middleman any happier.

    – Damila
    Mar 21 at 17:37






  • 1





    I don't think negate is even correct in this context. Wiktionary gives as definitions "to deny the existence of", "to cause to be ineffective", "to bring or cause negative results". None of those fits in this sentence. Negate is not a synonym for remove or avoid.

    – Nate Eldredge
    Mar 22 at 0:29






  • 1





    The OED gives "to nullify, cancel out" as a definition for negate; that applies here.

    – chepner
    Mar 22 at 0:54








  • 1





    If your new platform truly removes the need for middlepeople, then they're not going to be happier just because you used a different word. You're not selling your platform to middlepeople, presumably; shouldn't you be more worried that your real customers don't understand you when you use woolly language.

    – Erwin Bolwidt
    Mar 22 at 12:02
















8















I have somewhere the following sentence:




our platform negates the need for a middleman ...




but I do not want to offend or upset the middlemen whomever it is ... there are many middlemen in the context I'm reffering to there.



The question is how can I replace "negate" that is too abrupt, radical and may upset people with something more reasonable?



Would "diminishes" be a good alternative? other suggestions?










share|improve this question




















  • 1





    How about "offsets"?

    – Hot Licks
    Mar 21 at 17:27






  • 7





    “Eliminates the middleman” is a common phrase, but i don’t see how that would make the middleman any happier.

    – Damila
    Mar 21 at 17:37






  • 1





    I don't think negate is even correct in this context. Wiktionary gives as definitions "to deny the existence of", "to cause to be ineffective", "to bring or cause negative results". None of those fits in this sentence. Negate is not a synonym for remove or avoid.

    – Nate Eldredge
    Mar 22 at 0:29






  • 1





    The OED gives "to nullify, cancel out" as a definition for negate; that applies here.

    – chepner
    Mar 22 at 0:54








  • 1





    If your new platform truly removes the need for middlepeople, then they're not going to be happier just because you used a different word. You're not selling your platform to middlepeople, presumably; shouldn't you be more worried that your real customers don't understand you when you use woolly language.

    – Erwin Bolwidt
    Mar 22 at 12:02














8












8








8








I have somewhere the following sentence:




our platform negates the need for a middleman ...




but I do not want to offend or upset the middlemen whomever it is ... there are many middlemen in the context I'm reffering to there.



The question is how can I replace "negate" that is too abrupt, radical and may upset people with something more reasonable?



Would "diminishes" be a good alternative? other suggestions?










share|improve this question
















I have somewhere the following sentence:




our platform negates the need for a middleman ...




but I do not want to offend or upset the middlemen whomever it is ... there are many middlemen in the context I'm reffering to there.



The question is how can I replace "negate" that is too abrupt, radical and may upset people with something more reasonable?



Would "diminishes" be a good alternative? other suggestions?







single-word-requests meaning synonyms euphemisms






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Mar 22 at 4:21









Jasper

816514




816514










asked Mar 21 at 17:21









SkyWalkerSkyWalker

1392




1392








  • 1





    How about "offsets"?

    – Hot Licks
    Mar 21 at 17:27






  • 7





    “Eliminates the middleman” is a common phrase, but i don’t see how that would make the middleman any happier.

    – Damila
    Mar 21 at 17:37






  • 1





    I don't think negate is even correct in this context. Wiktionary gives as definitions "to deny the existence of", "to cause to be ineffective", "to bring or cause negative results". None of those fits in this sentence. Negate is not a synonym for remove or avoid.

    – Nate Eldredge
    Mar 22 at 0:29






  • 1





    The OED gives "to nullify, cancel out" as a definition for negate; that applies here.

    – chepner
    Mar 22 at 0:54








  • 1





    If your new platform truly removes the need for middlepeople, then they're not going to be happier just because you used a different word. You're not selling your platform to middlepeople, presumably; shouldn't you be more worried that your real customers don't understand you when you use woolly language.

    – Erwin Bolwidt
    Mar 22 at 12:02














  • 1





    How about "offsets"?

    – Hot Licks
    Mar 21 at 17:27






  • 7





    “Eliminates the middleman” is a common phrase, but i don’t see how that would make the middleman any happier.

    – Damila
    Mar 21 at 17:37






  • 1





    I don't think negate is even correct in this context. Wiktionary gives as definitions "to deny the existence of", "to cause to be ineffective", "to bring or cause negative results". None of those fits in this sentence. Negate is not a synonym for remove or avoid.

    – Nate Eldredge
    Mar 22 at 0:29






  • 1





    The OED gives "to nullify, cancel out" as a definition for negate; that applies here.

    – chepner
    Mar 22 at 0:54








  • 1





    If your new platform truly removes the need for middlepeople, then they're not going to be happier just because you used a different word. You're not selling your platform to middlepeople, presumably; shouldn't you be more worried that your real customers don't understand you when you use woolly language.

    – Erwin Bolwidt
    Mar 22 at 12:02








1




1





How about "offsets"?

– Hot Licks
Mar 21 at 17:27





How about "offsets"?

– Hot Licks
Mar 21 at 17:27




7




7





“Eliminates the middleman” is a common phrase, but i don’t see how that would make the middleman any happier.

– Damila
Mar 21 at 17:37





“Eliminates the middleman” is a common phrase, but i don’t see how that would make the middleman any happier.

– Damila
Mar 21 at 17:37




1




1





I don't think negate is even correct in this context. Wiktionary gives as definitions "to deny the existence of", "to cause to be ineffective", "to bring or cause negative results". None of those fits in this sentence. Negate is not a synonym for remove or avoid.

– Nate Eldredge
Mar 22 at 0:29





I don't think negate is even correct in this context. Wiktionary gives as definitions "to deny the existence of", "to cause to be ineffective", "to bring or cause negative results". None of those fits in this sentence. Negate is not a synonym for remove or avoid.

– Nate Eldredge
Mar 22 at 0:29




1




1





The OED gives "to nullify, cancel out" as a definition for negate; that applies here.

– chepner
Mar 22 at 0:54







The OED gives "to nullify, cancel out" as a definition for negate; that applies here.

– chepner
Mar 22 at 0:54






1




1





If your new platform truly removes the need for middlepeople, then they're not going to be happier just because you used a different word. You're not selling your platform to middlepeople, presumably; shouldn't you be more worried that your real customers don't understand you when you use woolly language.

– Erwin Bolwidt
Mar 22 at 12:02





If your new platform truly removes the need for middlepeople, then they're not going to be happier just because you used a different word. You're not selling your platform to middlepeople, presumably; shouldn't you be more worried that your real customers don't understand you when you use woolly language.

– Erwin Bolwidt
Mar 22 at 12:02










6 Answers
6






active

oldest

votes


















9














A (somewhat formal/technical) term used in such situations is obviate.




our platform obviates the need for a middleman ...




ODO:




obviate
VERB [WITH OBJECT]
1 Remove (a need or difficulty)



‘the presence of roller blinds obviated the need for curtains’







share|improve this answer



















  • 1





    'Obviates' is another way of saying 'by-passes,' using Latin roots.

    – Hugh
    Mar 21 at 20:01






  • 1





    The OP states s/he does not want to "offend or upset the middlemen." I have to ask, if one were a middleman, would one be more offended or upset by being negated, or by being obviated? I neither agree nor disagree with this answer, but feel it needs to address this.

    – cobaltduck
    Mar 22 at 11:56











  • This answer is about a nicer/politer/more positive alternative (as per the title) and to replace "negate" with something more reasonable (as per the body of the question). Obviate is a relatively impersonal (and formal) term and it just helps like saying (perhaps) your presence is no longer needed instead of something like get the hell out of here.

    – alwayslearning
    Mar 24 at 18:31





















4














I'd say:
Our platform allows you to forgo the middleman.
(Positive language, as opposed to negative.)






share|improve this answer



















  • 5





    Or even: Our platform allows you to go straight to the <source, end customer, whatever> or gives you direct access to, allows direct interaction with... don’t mention middlemen at all.

    – Jim
    Mar 21 at 20:38











  • I like this answer since "allows you" shifts the attention to the purchaser of the platform / end user.

    – Paul S. Lee
    Mar 21 at 20:53











  • @Jim you should make that an answer. Negate the middleman and negate the use of the word 'middleman'.

    – mcalex
    Mar 22 at 6:50













  • Yes, @Jim, I like that even better.

    – ElG
    Mar 26 at 14:13











  • Gave this some more thought: In sales, companies like to highlight the benefit of cutting out the middleman, so actually I think the OP should keep the word "middleman." Sales copy is a different animal than informational writing. If being concise is the goal, then leave out the "middleman."

    – ElG
    Mar 26 at 14:22



















4














I'm in IT development, where our raison d'etre is to automate business processes which often put some people out of job. The standard approach we use to sell IT projects when we cannot outright eliminate the jobs is to empower them to do more value-added service to the business because with automation they have more time to do so.



I don't know your situation. If the middleman can be re-purposed you can say "our platform frees the middleman from administrative duties to empower them for ..."



EDIT: I didn't notice that Elliot already suggested the same thing.






share|improve this answer































    0














    For one, I'd say if the need is only diminished then the platform has does not do the whole job. You are only ending the Need for the middleman. You are not taking them away and chopping them up. There are surely better things for them to go and do.



    For alternatives you could use "Removes" or "Eliminates" the need. If you hope to be very gentle you could "relieve" the need for the middleman but that would be an odd choice.



    Or get around it by "replacing" the middleman or 'Doing the job of the middleman'. In any case you are selling a function or product. It's impact on individuals is not part of the design or construction of the item.






    share|improve this answer































      0














      If you're looking for a positive expression while still using "need", I'd suggest "relieve":




      relieve transitive verb



      1a : to free from a burden : give aid or help to



      2a : to bring about the removal or alleviation of : mitigate




      from Merriam Webster




      our platform relieves the need for a middleman ...







      share|improve this answer































        0














        Yes, there is. Consider the expression to make something unnecessary. This phrase is very straightforward and hardly requires any explanation as to what it means. So, I'll just use your example to show you how it can be used in a sentence:




        Our platform makes the need for a middleman unnecessary.




        In my opinion, the sentence now does sound a great deal softer than your original version with negates.






        share|improve this answer


























        • I think in that example "the need for" is superfluous? Just "makes a middleman unneccessary" works better

          – Mick O'Hea
          Mar 22 at 15:37













        • That's a good point. Thank you for you comment.

          – Mike R
          Mar 22 at 17:35












        Your Answer








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        6 Answers
        6






        active

        oldest

        votes








        6 Answers
        6






        active

        oldest

        votes









        active

        oldest

        votes






        active

        oldest

        votes









        9














        A (somewhat formal/technical) term used in such situations is obviate.




        our platform obviates the need for a middleman ...




        ODO:




        obviate
        VERB [WITH OBJECT]
        1 Remove (a need or difficulty)



        ‘the presence of roller blinds obviated the need for curtains’







        share|improve this answer



















        • 1





          'Obviates' is another way of saying 'by-passes,' using Latin roots.

          – Hugh
          Mar 21 at 20:01






        • 1





          The OP states s/he does not want to "offend or upset the middlemen." I have to ask, if one were a middleman, would one be more offended or upset by being negated, or by being obviated? I neither agree nor disagree with this answer, but feel it needs to address this.

          – cobaltduck
          Mar 22 at 11:56











        • This answer is about a nicer/politer/more positive alternative (as per the title) and to replace "negate" with something more reasonable (as per the body of the question). Obviate is a relatively impersonal (and formal) term and it just helps like saying (perhaps) your presence is no longer needed instead of something like get the hell out of here.

          – alwayslearning
          Mar 24 at 18:31


















        9














        A (somewhat formal/technical) term used in such situations is obviate.




        our platform obviates the need for a middleman ...




        ODO:




        obviate
        VERB [WITH OBJECT]
        1 Remove (a need or difficulty)



        ‘the presence of roller blinds obviated the need for curtains’







        share|improve this answer



















        • 1





          'Obviates' is another way of saying 'by-passes,' using Latin roots.

          – Hugh
          Mar 21 at 20:01






        • 1





          The OP states s/he does not want to "offend or upset the middlemen." I have to ask, if one were a middleman, would one be more offended or upset by being negated, or by being obviated? I neither agree nor disagree with this answer, but feel it needs to address this.

          – cobaltduck
          Mar 22 at 11:56











        • This answer is about a nicer/politer/more positive alternative (as per the title) and to replace "negate" with something more reasonable (as per the body of the question). Obviate is a relatively impersonal (and formal) term and it just helps like saying (perhaps) your presence is no longer needed instead of something like get the hell out of here.

          – alwayslearning
          Mar 24 at 18:31
















        9












        9








        9







        A (somewhat formal/technical) term used in such situations is obviate.




        our platform obviates the need for a middleman ...




        ODO:




        obviate
        VERB [WITH OBJECT]
        1 Remove (a need or difficulty)



        ‘the presence of roller blinds obviated the need for curtains’







        share|improve this answer













        A (somewhat formal/technical) term used in such situations is obviate.




        our platform obviates the need for a middleman ...




        ODO:




        obviate
        VERB [WITH OBJECT]
        1 Remove (a need or difficulty)



        ‘the presence of roller blinds obviated the need for curtains’








        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered Mar 21 at 17:39









        alwayslearningalwayslearning

        26.5k63894




        26.5k63894








        • 1





          'Obviates' is another way of saying 'by-passes,' using Latin roots.

          – Hugh
          Mar 21 at 20:01






        • 1





          The OP states s/he does not want to "offend or upset the middlemen." I have to ask, if one were a middleman, would one be more offended or upset by being negated, or by being obviated? I neither agree nor disagree with this answer, but feel it needs to address this.

          – cobaltduck
          Mar 22 at 11:56











        • This answer is about a nicer/politer/more positive alternative (as per the title) and to replace "negate" with something more reasonable (as per the body of the question). Obviate is a relatively impersonal (and formal) term and it just helps like saying (perhaps) your presence is no longer needed instead of something like get the hell out of here.

          – alwayslearning
          Mar 24 at 18:31
















        • 1





          'Obviates' is another way of saying 'by-passes,' using Latin roots.

          – Hugh
          Mar 21 at 20:01






        • 1





          The OP states s/he does not want to "offend or upset the middlemen." I have to ask, if one were a middleman, would one be more offended or upset by being negated, or by being obviated? I neither agree nor disagree with this answer, but feel it needs to address this.

          – cobaltduck
          Mar 22 at 11:56











        • This answer is about a nicer/politer/more positive alternative (as per the title) and to replace "negate" with something more reasonable (as per the body of the question). Obviate is a relatively impersonal (and formal) term and it just helps like saying (perhaps) your presence is no longer needed instead of something like get the hell out of here.

          – alwayslearning
          Mar 24 at 18:31










        1




        1





        'Obviates' is another way of saying 'by-passes,' using Latin roots.

        – Hugh
        Mar 21 at 20:01





        'Obviates' is another way of saying 'by-passes,' using Latin roots.

        – Hugh
        Mar 21 at 20:01




        1




        1





        The OP states s/he does not want to "offend or upset the middlemen." I have to ask, if one were a middleman, would one be more offended or upset by being negated, or by being obviated? I neither agree nor disagree with this answer, but feel it needs to address this.

        – cobaltduck
        Mar 22 at 11:56





        The OP states s/he does not want to "offend or upset the middlemen." I have to ask, if one were a middleman, would one be more offended or upset by being negated, or by being obviated? I neither agree nor disagree with this answer, but feel it needs to address this.

        – cobaltduck
        Mar 22 at 11:56













        This answer is about a nicer/politer/more positive alternative (as per the title) and to replace "negate" with something more reasonable (as per the body of the question). Obviate is a relatively impersonal (and formal) term and it just helps like saying (perhaps) your presence is no longer needed instead of something like get the hell out of here.

        – alwayslearning
        Mar 24 at 18:31







        This answer is about a nicer/politer/more positive alternative (as per the title) and to replace "negate" with something more reasonable (as per the body of the question). Obviate is a relatively impersonal (and formal) term and it just helps like saying (perhaps) your presence is no longer needed instead of something like get the hell out of here.

        – alwayslearning
        Mar 24 at 18:31















        4














        I'd say:
        Our platform allows you to forgo the middleman.
        (Positive language, as opposed to negative.)






        share|improve this answer



















        • 5





          Or even: Our platform allows you to go straight to the <source, end customer, whatever> or gives you direct access to, allows direct interaction with... don’t mention middlemen at all.

          – Jim
          Mar 21 at 20:38











        • I like this answer since "allows you" shifts the attention to the purchaser of the platform / end user.

          – Paul S. Lee
          Mar 21 at 20:53











        • @Jim you should make that an answer. Negate the middleman and negate the use of the word 'middleman'.

          – mcalex
          Mar 22 at 6:50













        • Yes, @Jim, I like that even better.

          – ElG
          Mar 26 at 14:13











        • Gave this some more thought: In sales, companies like to highlight the benefit of cutting out the middleman, so actually I think the OP should keep the word "middleman." Sales copy is a different animal than informational writing. If being concise is the goal, then leave out the "middleman."

          – ElG
          Mar 26 at 14:22
















        4














        I'd say:
        Our platform allows you to forgo the middleman.
        (Positive language, as opposed to negative.)






        share|improve this answer



















        • 5





          Or even: Our platform allows you to go straight to the <source, end customer, whatever> or gives you direct access to, allows direct interaction with... don’t mention middlemen at all.

          – Jim
          Mar 21 at 20:38











        • I like this answer since "allows you" shifts the attention to the purchaser of the platform / end user.

          – Paul S. Lee
          Mar 21 at 20:53











        • @Jim you should make that an answer. Negate the middleman and negate the use of the word 'middleman'.

          – mcalex
          Mar 22 at 6:50













        • Yes, @Jim, I like that even better.

          – ElG
          Mar 26 at 14:13











        • Gave this some more thought: In sales, companies like to highlight the benefit of cutting out the middleman, so actually I think the OP should keep the word "middleman." Sales copy is a different animal than informational writing. If being concise is the goal, then leave out the "middleman."

          – ElG
          Mar 26 at 14:22














        4












        4








        4







        I'd say:
        Our platform allows you to forgo the middleman.
        (Positive language, as opposed to negative.)






        share|improve this answer













        I'd say:
        Our platform allows you to forgo the middleman.
        (Positive language, as opposed to negative.)







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered Mar 21 at 17:28









        ElGElG

        723




        723








        • 5





          Or even: Our platform allows you to go straight to the <source, end customer, whatever> or gives you direct access to, allows direct interaction with... don’t mention middlemen at all.

          – Jim
          Mar 21 at 20:38











        • I like this answer since "allows you" shifts the attention to the purchaser of the platform / end user.

          – Paul S. Lee
          Mar 21 at 20:53











        • @Jim you should make that an answer. Negate the middleman and negate the use of the word 'middleman'.

          – mcalex
          Mar 22 at 6:50













        • Yes, @Jim, I like that even better.

          – ElG
          Mar 26 at 14:13











        • Gave this some more thought: In sales, companies like to highlight the benefit of cutting out the middleman, so actually I think the OP should keep the word "middleman." Sales copy is a different animal than informational writing. If being concise is the goal, then leave out the "middleman."

          – ElG
          Mar 26 at 14:22














        • 5





          Or even: Our platform allows you to go straight to the <source, end customer, whatever> or gives you direct access to, allows direct interaction with... don’t mention middlemen at all.

          – Jim
          Mar 21 at 20:38











        • I like this answer since "allows you" shifts the attention to the purchaser of the platform / end user.

          – Paul S. Lee
          Mar 21 at 20:53











        • @Jim you should make that an answer. Negate the middleman and negate the use of the word 'middleman'.

          – mcalex
          Mar 22 at 6:50













        • Yes, @Jim, I like that even better.

          – ElG
          Mar 26 at 14:13











        • Gave this some more thought: In sales, companies like to highlight the benefit of cutting out the middleman, so actually I think the OP should keep the word "middleman." Sales copy is a different animal than informational writing. If being concise is the goal, then leave out the "middleman."

          – ElG
          Mar 26 at 14:22








        5




        5





        Or even: Our platform allows you to go straight to the <source, end customer, whatever> or gives you direct access to, allows direct interaction with... don’t mention middlemen at all.

        – Jim
        Mar 21 at 20:38





        Or even: Our platform allows you to go straight to the <source, end customer, whatever> or gives you direct access to, allows direct interaction with... don’t mention middlemen at all.

        – Jim
        Mar 21 at 20:38













        I like this answer since "allows you" shifts the attention to the purchaser of the platform / end user.

        – Paul S. Lee
        Mar 21 at 20:53





        I like this answer since "allows you" shifts the attention to the purchaser of the platform / end user.

        – Paul S. Lee
        Mar 21 at 20:53













        @Jim you should make that an answer. Negate the middleman and negate the use of the word 'middleman'.

        – mcalex
        Mar 22 at 6:50







        @Jim you should make that an answer. Negate the middleman and negate the use of the word 'middleman'.

        – mcalex
        Mar 22 at 6:50















        Yes, @Jim, I like that even better.

        – ElG
        Mar 26 at 14:13





        Yes, @Jim, I like that even better.

        – ElG
        Mar 26 at 14:13













        Gave this some more thought: In sales, companies like to highlight the benefit of cutting out the middleman, so actually I think the OP should keep the word "middleman." Sales copy is a different animal than informational writing. If being concise is the goal, then leave out the "middleman."

        – ElG
        Mar 26 at 14:22





        Gave this some more thought: In sales, companies like to highlight the benefit of cutting out the middleman, so actually I think the OP should keep the word "middleman." Sales copy is a different animal than informational writing. If being concise is the goal, then leave out the "middleman."

        – ElG
        Mar 26 at 14:22











        4














        I'm in IT development, where our raison d'etre is to automate business processes which often put some people out of job. The standard approach we use to sell IT projects when we cannot outright eliminate the jobs is to empower them to do more value-added service to the business because with automation they have more time to do so.



        I don't know your situation. If the middleman can be re-purposed you can say "our platform frees the middleman from administrative duties to empower them for ..."



        EDIT: I didn't notice that Elliot already suggested the same thing.






        share|improve this answer




























          4














          I'm in IT development, where our raison d'etre is to automate business processes which often put some people out of job. The standard approach we use to sell IT projects when we cannot outright eliminate the jobs is to empower them to do more value-added service to the business because with automation they have more time to do so.



          I don't know your situation. If the middleman can be re-purposed you can say "our platform frees the middleman from administrative duties to empower them for ..."



          EDIT: I didn't notice that Elliot already suggested the same thing.






          share|improve this answer


























            4












            4








            4







            I'm in IT development, where our raison d'etre is to automate business processes which often put some people out of job. The standard approach we use to sell IT projects when we cannot outright eliminate the jobs is to empower them to do more value-added service to the business because with automation they have more time to do so.



            I don't know your situation. If the middleman can be re-purposed you can say "our platform frees the middleman from administrative duties to empower them for ..."



            EDIT: I didn't notice that Elliot already suggested the same thing.






            share|improve this answer













            I'm in IT development, where our raison d'etre is to automate business processes which often put some people out of job. The standard approach we use to sell IT projects when we cannot outright eliminate the jobs is to empower them to do more value-added service to the business because with automation they have more time to do so.



            I don't know your situation. If the middleman can be re-purposed you can say "our platform frees the middleman from administrative duties to empower them for ..."



            EDIT: I didn't notice that Elliot already suggested the same thing.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered Mar 21 at 19:24









            Paul S. LeePaul S. Lee

            2894




            2894























                0














                For one, I'd say if the need is only diminished then the platform has does not do the whole job. You are only ending the Need for the middleman. You are not taking them away and chopping them up. There are surely better things for them to go and do.



                For alternatives you could use "Removes" or "Eliminates" the need. If you hope to be very gentle you could "relieve" the need for the middleman but that would be an odd choice.



                Or get around it by "replacing" the middleman or 'Doing the job of the middleman'. In any case you are selling a function or product. It's impact on individuals is not part of the design or construction of the item.






                share|improve this answer




























                  0














                  For one, I'd say if the need is only diminished then the platform has does not do the whole job. You are only ending the Need for the middleman. You are not taking them away and chopping them up. There are surely better things for them to go and do.



                  For alternatives you could use "Removes" or "Eliminates" the need. If you hope to be very gentle you could "relieve" the need for the middleman but that would be an odd choice.



                  Or get around it by "replacing" the middleman or 'Doing the job of the middleman'. In any case you are selling a function or product. It's impact on individuals is not part of the design or construction of the item.






                  share|improve this answer


























                    0












                    0








                    0







                    For one, I'd say if the need is only diminished then the platform has does not do the whole job. You are only ending the Need for the middleman. You are not taking them away and chopping them up. There are surely better things for them to go and do.



                    For alternatives you could use "Removes" or "Eliminates" the need. If you hope to be very gentle you could "relieve" the need for the middleman but that would be an odd choice.



                    Or get around it by "replacing" the middleman or 'Doing the job of the middleman'. In any case you are selling a function or product. It's impact on individuals is not part of the design or construction of the item.






                    share|improve this answer













                    For one, I'd say if the need is only diminished then the platform has does not do the whole job. You are only ending the Need for the middleman. You are not taking them away and chopping them up. There are surely better things for them to go and do.



                    For alternatives you could use "Removes" or "Eliminates" the need. If you hope to be very gentle you could "relieve" the need for the middleman but that would be an odd choice.



                    Or get around it by "replacing" the middleman or 'Doing the job of the middleman'. In any case you are selling a function or product. It's impact on individuals is not part of the design or construction of the item.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered Mar 21 at 17:35









                    ElliotElliot

                    742




                    742























                        0














                        If you're looking for a positive expression while still using "need", I'd suggest "relieve":




                        relieve transitive verb



                        1a : to free from a burden : give aid or help to



                        2a : to bring about the removal or alleviation of : mitigate




                        from Merriam Webster




                        our platform relieves the need for a middleman ...







                        share|improve this answer




























                          0














                          If you're looking for a positive expression while still using "need", I'd suggest "relieve":




                          relieve transitive verb



                          1a : to free from a burden : give aid or help to



                          2a : to bring about the removal or alleviation of : mitigate




                          from Merriam Webster




                          our platform relieves the need for a middleman ...







                          share|improve this answer


























                            0












                            0








                            0







                            If you're looking for a positive expression while still using "need", I'd suggest "relieve":




                            relieve transitive verb



                            1a : to free from a burden : give aid or help to



                            2a : to bring about the removal or alleviation of : mitigate




                            from Merriam Webster




                            our platform relieves the need for a middleman ...







                            share|improve this answer













                            If you're looking for a positive expression while still using "need", I'd suggest "relieve":




                            relieve transitive verb



                            1a : to free from a burden : give aid or help to



                            2a : to bring about the removal or alleviation of : mitigate




                            from Merriam Webster




                            our platform relieves the need for a middleman ...








                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered Mar 21 at 22:58









                            R.M.R.M.

                            672611




                            672611























                                0














                                Yes, there is. Consider the expression to make something unnecessary. This phrase is very straightforward and hardly requires any explanation as to what it means. So, I'll just use your example to show you how it can be used in a sentence:




                                Our platform makes the need for a middleman unnecessary.




                                In my opinion, the sentence now does sound a great deal softer than your original version with negates.






                                share|improve this answer


























                                • I think in that example "the need for" is superfluous? Just "makes a middleman unneccessary" works better

                                  – Mick O'Hea
                                  Mar 22 at 15:37













                                • That's a good point. Thank you for you comment.

                                  – Mike R
                                  Mar 22 at 17:35
















                                0














                                Yes, there is. Consider the expression to make something unnecessary. This phrase is very straightforward and hardly requires any explanation as to what it means. So, I'll just use your example to show you how it can be used in a sentence:




                                Our platform makes the need for a middleman unnecessary.




                                In my opinion, the sentence now does sound a great deal softer than your original version with negates.






                                share|improve this answer


























                                • I think in that example "the need for" is superfluous? Just "makes a middleman unneccessary" works better

                                  – Mick O'Hea
                                  Mar 22 at 15:37













                                • That's a good point. Thank you for you comment.

                                  – Mike R
                                  Mar 22 at 17:35














                                0












                                0








                                0







                                Yes, there is. Consider the expression to make something unnecessary. This phrase is very straightforward and hardly requires any explanation as to what it means. So, I'll just use your example to show you how it can be used in a sentence:




                                Our platform makes the need for a middleman unnecessary.




                                In my opinion, the sentence now does sound a great deal softer than your original version with negates.






                                share|improve this answer















                                Yes, there is. Consider the expression to make something unnecessary. This phrase is very straightforward and hardly requires any explanation as to what it means. So, I'll just use your example to show you how it can be used in a sentence:




                                Our platform makes the need for a middleman unnecessary.




                                In my opinion, the sentence now does sound a great deal softer than your original version with negates.







                                share|improve this answer














                                share|improve this answer



                                share|improve this answer








                                edited Mar 22 at 7:24

























                                answered Mar 22 at 7:09









                                Mike RMike R

                                4,99821843




                                4,99821843













                                • I think in that example "the need for" is superfluous? Just "makes a middleman unneccessary" works better

                                  – Mick O'Hea
                                  Mar 22 at 15:37













                                • That's a good point. Thank you for you comment.

                                  – Mike R
                                  Mar 22 at 17:35



















                                • I think in that example "the need for" is superfluous? Just "makes a middleman unneccessary" works better

                                  – Mick O'Hea
                                  Mar 22 at 15:37













                                • That's a good point. Thank you for you comment.

                                  – Mike R
                                  Mar 22 at 17:35

















                                I think in that example "the need for" is superfluous? Just "makes a middleman unneccessary" works better

                                – Mick O'Hea
                                Mar 22 at 15:37







                                I think in that example "the need for" is superfluous? Just "makes a middleman unneccessary" works better

                                – Mick O'Hea
                                Mar 22 at 15:37















                                That's a good point. Thank you for you comment.

                                – Mike R
                                Mar 22 at 17:35





                                That's a good point. Thank you for you comment.

                                – Mike R
                                Mar 22 at 17:35


















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