I tried to make the atmosphere less tense...

[kachibi]

If I want to talk about an argument between friends and I tried to be a mediator, and I want to say "I tried to make the atmosphere less tense by pretending nothing was happening."

1) Does this sentence sound OK for native speakers? If no, can anyone suggest an alternative?

2) I wonder if "less tense" can be replaced by a single adjective in this context.

Hope someone can answer my questions one by one

[JohnParis]

If I want to talk about an argument between friends and I tried to be a mediator, and I want to say "I tried to make the atmosphere less tense by pretending nothing was happening."
Use of the word "atmosphere" confuses your intentions. You were not trying to reduce a problem with the atmosphere in the room, you were actually trying to lessen the tension between two friends by pretending nothing was happening. I suggest: I tried to lessen the tension (or to reduce the tension) by pretending nothing was happening."
1) Does this sentence sound OK for native speakers? No. If no, can anyone suggest an alternative? See above.

2) I wonder if "less tense" can be replaced by a single adjective in this context. Reduce (see above).

Hope someone can answer my questions one by one

John

[kachibi]

I am sorry that perhapes my context confused you John.
Maybe I should simply ask if "I tried to make the atmosphere less tense by pretending nothing was happening" is grammatically correct/ natural.

[Tdol]

It's correct but not very natural- JohnParis's version works, or you could try things like I tried to calm/cool things down...

[kachibi]

Thanks so much Tdol~