The decrease

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "The decrease" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a reduction in quantity, size, or intensity in various contexts, such as statistics, economics, or general observations. Example: "The decrease in sales this quarter has raised concerns among the management team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The decrease was not uniform.

The Economist

The decrease has probably accelerated in the third quarter.

The New York Times

The decrease in the Helmand area was 29%.

The Guardian

The "decrease in violence" fable is even more insidious.

The New York Times

The decrease was the third in the last year.

The New York Times

The decrease came as exports to the United States and some parts of Europe were easing.

The New York Times

The decrease in permits may suggest that housing starts may begin to decline.

The New York Times

The decrease in talents was then widely seen as a sociological issue.

The Guardian - Sport

The decrease in petroleum stockpiles came as sales increased 7.5percentt.

The New York Times

The decrease was mainly driven by oil and gas companies reining in North Sea spending.

The Guardian - Business

The decrease is the same that would have been achieved by a 9% wage increase.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the decrease", ensure you clearly specify what is decreasing. For example, "The decrease in sales" is more informative than simply "The decrease".

Common error

Avoid using "the decrease" without providing context. Readers need to understand what is being reduced to fully grasp the meaning. For example, instead of saying "The decrease was significant", specify "The decrease in unemployment was significant".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the decrease" functions as a noun phrase, specifically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to a reduction in quantity, size, or intensity. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in contexts such as "the decrease in violence" and "the decrease in permits."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

45%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the decrease" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote a reduction. As indicated by Ludwig, it frequently appears in News & Media and Science contexts, highlighting its versatility in reporting and analytical discussions. For effective communication, ensure you provide clear context specifying what is decreasing. While perfectly valid, consider using synonyms like "the decline" or "the reduction" to diversify your writing. In conclusion, "the decrease" is a reliable phrase for conveying reductions across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

The decline

Replaces "decrease" with a synonym, focusing on the process of becoming smaller or fewer.

The reduction

Substitutes "decrease" with "reduction", highlighting the act of making something smaller.

The drop

Uses "drop" instead of "decrease", suggesting a sudden or sharp decline.

The fall

Employs "fall" as a synonym for "decrease", indicating a downward movement or decline.

The diminishing

Replaces the noun with a gerund, emphasizing the ongoing process of decreasing.

The lessening

Similar to "diminishing", this focuses on the gradual reduction in something.

The abatement

Uses a more formal synonym, "abatement", implying a reduction in intensity or degree.

The subsidence

Indicates a sinking or falling to a lower level, often used in the context of land or structures.

The downtrend

Specifically suggests a negative trend or movement in a graph or data series.

The erosion

Implies a gradual wearing away or reduction, often used metaphorically.

FAQs

How can I use "the decrease" in a sentence?

You can use "the decrease" to refer to a reduction in something. For example, "The decrease in population" or "The decrease in violence".

What is a synonym for "the decrease"?

A synonym for "the decrease" is "the decline". Both phrases refer to a reduction or lessening of something.

How does "the decrease" differ from "a decrease"?

"The decrease" refers to a specific, previously mentioned or understood reduction. "A decrease" refers to a general instance of reduction, without specifying which one.

What words usually follow "the decrease"?

Common words following "the decrease" include prepositions like "in" and "of" to specify the area or subject of the reduction, such as "the decrease of" or "the decrease in".