Is there a nicer/politer/more positive alternative for “negates”? The Next CEO of Stack OverflowPositive euphemisms for desert?Positive alternative to “ominous”A positive alternative to 'harp'What's the word for “too many but not good enough”?What is the meaning of: “If we offend, it is with our good will”Is there a more positive alternative to the word “inevitability”?“within the context” of a workshop - synonymsNicer word for inquisitorA more positive word for “co-conspirator”?Isn't there a simple adverb for the opposite of 'loudly'?
My ex-girlfriend uses my Apple ID to login to her iPad, do I have to give her my Apple ID password to reset it?
Is the 21st century's idea of "freedom of speech" based on precedent?
What difference does it make matching a word with/without a trailing whitespace?
Is this a new Fibonacci Identity?
How does a dynamic QR code work?
What did the word "leisure" mean in late 18th Century usage?
My boss doesn't want me to have a side project
What is the difference between 'contrib' and 'non-free' packages repositories?
How should I connect my cat5 cable to connectors having an orange-green line?
Was the Stack Exchange "Happy April Fools" page fitting with the 90s code?
Is a linearly independent set whose span is dense a Schauder basis?
How did scripture get the name bible?
Can a PhD from a non-TU9 German university become a professor in a TU9 university?
Traveling with my 5 year old daughter (as the father) without the mother from Germany to Mexico
Can I hook these wires up to find the connection to a dead outlet?
What happens if you break a law in another country outside of that country?
pgfplots: How to draw a tangent graph below two others?
Do I need to write [sic] when including a quotation with a number less than 10 that isn't written out?
Why did the Drakh emissary look so blurred in S04:E11 "Lines of Communication"?
Can you teleport closer to a creature you are Frightened of?
How to show a landlord what we have in savings?
Is it possible to create a QR code using text?
Read/write a pipe-delimited file line by line with some simple text manipulation
Does Germany produce more waste than the US?
Is there a nicer/politer/more positive alternative for “negates”?
The Next CEO of Stack OverflowPositive euphemisms for desert?Positive alternative to “ominous”A positive alternative to 'harp'What's the word for “too many but not good enough”?What is the meaning of: “If we offend, it is with our good will”Is there a more positive alternative to the word “inevitability”?“within the context” of a workshop - synonymsNicer word for inquisitorA more positive word for “co-conspirator”?Isn't there a simple adverb for the opposite of 'loudly'?
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
edited Mar 22 at 4:21
Jasper
816514
asked Mar 21 at 17:21
SkyWalkerSkyWalker
1392
|
show 3 more comments
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
edited Mar 22 at 4:21
Jasper
816514
asked Mar 21 at 17:21
SkyWalkerSkyWalker
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
|
show 3 more comments
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
edited Mar 22 at 4:21
Jasper
816514
asked Mar 21 at 17:21
SkyWalkerSkyWalker
1392
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
single-word-requests meaning synonyms euphemisms
edited Mar 22 at 4:21
Jasper
816514
asked Mar 21 at 17:21
SkyWalkerSkyWalker
1392
edited Mar 22 at 4:21
Jasper
816514
asked Mar 21 at 17:21
SkyWalkerSkyWalker
1392
edited Mar 22 at 4:21
Jasper
816514
edited Mar 22 at 4:21
Jasper
816514
edited Mar 22 at 4:21
Jasper
816514
816514
asked Mar 21 at 17:21
SkyWalkerSkyWalker
1392
asked Mar 21 at 17:21
SkyWalkerSkyWalker
1392
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
|
show 3 more comments
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
|
show 3 more comments
6 Answers
6
active
oldest
votes
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’
answered Mar 21 at 17:39
alwayslearningalwayslearning
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 neededinstead of something likeget the hell out of here.
– alwayslearning
Mar 24 at 18:31
add a comment |
I'd say:
Our platform allows you to forgo the middleman.
(Positive language, as opposed to negative.)
answered Mar 21 at 17:28
ElGElG
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
add a comment |
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.
answered Mar 21 at 19:24
Paul S. LeePaul S. Lee
2894
add a comment |
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.
answered Mar 21 at 17:35
ElliotElliot
742
add a comment |
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 ...
answered Mar 21 at 22:58
R.M.R.M.
672611
add a comment |
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.
answered Mar 22 at 7:09
Mike RMike R
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
add a comment |
StackExchange.ready(function()
var channelOptions =
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "97"
;
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function()
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled)
StackExchange.using("snippets", function()
createEditor();
);
else
createEditor();
);
function createEditor()
StackExchange.prepareEditor(
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader:
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
,
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
);
);
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f490767%2fis-there-a-nicer-politer-more-positive-alternative-for-negates%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
6 Answers
6
active
oldest
votes
6 Answers
6
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
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’
answered Mar 21 at 17:39
alwayslearningalwayslearning
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 neededinstead of something likeget the hell out of here.
– alwayslearning
Mar 24 at 18:31
add a comment |
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’
answered Mar 21 at 17:39
alwayslearningalwayslearning
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 neededinstead of something likeget the hell out of here.
– alwayslearning
Mar 24 at 18:31
add a comment |
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’
answered Mar 21 at 17:39
alwayslearningalwayslearning
26.5k63894
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’
answered Mar 21 at 17:39
alwayslearningalwayslearning
26.5k63894
answered Mar 21 at 17:39
alwayslearningalwayslearning
26.5k63894
answered Mar 21 at 17:39
alwayslearningalwayslearning
26.5k63894
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 neededinstead of something likeget the hell out of here.
– alwayslearning
Mar 24 at 18:31
add a comment |
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 neededinstead of something likeget 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
add a comment |
I'd say:
Our platform allows you to forgo the middleman.
(Positive language, as opposed to negative.)
answered Mar 21 at 17:28
ElGElG
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
add a comment |
I'd say:
Our platform allows you to forgo the middleman.
(Positive language, as opposed to negative.)
answered Mar 21 at 17:28
ElGElG
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
add a comment |
I'd say:
Our platform allows you to forgo the middleman.
(Positive language, as opposed to negative.)
answered Mar 21 at 17:28
ElGElG
723
I'd say:
Our platform allows you to forgo the middleman.
(Positive language, as opposed to negative.)
answered Mar 21 at 17:28
ElGElG
723
answered Mar 21 at 17:28
ElGElG
723
answered Mar 21 at 17:28
ElGElG
723
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
add a comment |
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
add a comment |
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.
answered Mar 21 at 19:24
Paul S. LeePaul S. Lee
2894
add a comment |
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.
answered Mar 21 at 19:24
Paul S. LeePaul S. Lee
2894
add a comment |
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.
answered Mar 21 at 19:24
Paul S. LeePaul S. Lee
2894
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.
answered Mar 21 at 19:24
Paul S. LeePaul S. Lee
2894
answered Mar 21 at 19:24
Paul S. LeePaul S. Lee
2894
answered Mar 21 at 19:24
Paul S. LeePaul S. Lee
2894
answered Mar 21 at 19:24
Paul S. LeePaul S. Lee
2894
2894
add a comment |
add a comment |
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.
answered Mar 21 at 17:35
ElliotElliot
742
add a comment |
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.
answered Mar 21 at 17:35
ElliotElliot
742
add a comment |
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.
answered Mar 21 at 17:35
ElliotElliot
742
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.
answered Mar 21 at 17:35
ElliotElliot
742
answered Mar 21 at 17:35
ElliotElliot
742
answered Mar 21 at 17:35
ElliotElliot
742
answered Mar 21 at 17:35
ElliotElliot
742
742
add a comment |
add a comment |
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 ...
answered Mar 21 at 22:58
R.M.R.M.
672611
add a comment |
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 ...
answered Mar 21 at 22:58
R.M.R.M.
672611
add a comment |
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 ...
answered Mar 21 at 22:58
R.M.R.M.
672611
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 ...
answered Mar 21 at 22:58
R.M.R.M.
672611
answered Mar 21 at 22:58
R.M.R.M.
672611
answered Mar 21 at 22:58
R.M.R.M.
672611
answered Mar 21 at 22:58
R.M.R.M.
672611
672611
add a comment |
add a comment |
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.
answered Mar 22 at 7:09
Mike RMike R
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
add a comment |
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.
answered Mar 22 at 7:09
Mike RMike R
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
add a comment |
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.
answered Mar 22 at 7:09
Mike RMike R
4,99821843
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.
answered Mar 22 at 7:09
Mike RMike R
4,99821843
edited Mar 22 at 7:24
answered Mar 22 at 7:09
Mike RMike R
4,99821843
answered Mar 22 at 7:09
Mike RMike R
4,99821843
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
add a comment |
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
add a comment |
Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language & Usage Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f490767%2fis-there-a-nicer-politer-more-positive-alternative-for-negates%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
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