a big decrease in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a big decrease in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a significant reduction in a particular quantity or measurement. Example: "There was a big decrease in sales this quarter compared to the last."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

That caused a big decrease in jobs and working hours.

The New York Times

As I expected, turning off our AdWords program has led to a big decrease in inquiries.

The New York Times

Hal Rosenbluth, chairman of Rosenbluth International, a corporate-travel agency in Philadelphia, says he has not seen a big decrease in business but he expects changes and cancellations should a conflict break out.

The New York Times

If loss aversion is mediated by the limbic structures, such as the amygdala, we would expect a big decrease in activity in those areas when you become less loss-averse".

The New Yorker

David Salman, the founder and chief horticulturist at High Country Gardens, a mail-order nursery in Santa Fe, N.M., said he has noticed a big decrease in pollinators as the fields of wildflowers around his greenhouses have been developed.

The New York Times

But some cities like Phoenix and Philadelphia that have come to rely on US Airways could see a big decrease in flights because they are near American hubs like Dallas-Fort Worth and New York.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Some analysts had forecast a bigger decrease in output.

The New York Times

A higher FEIBA dose induced a bigger decrease in INR than the lower dose.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

By the end of the study, those placed in the magnesium supplement group noted a bigger decrease in anxiety symptoms than in the placebo group (8).

Huffington Post

When we studied the differences between normal and parthenocarpic fruit set we found four differentially expressed ABA related genes (Table 5), all of which were inhibited at 3DPA and had a bigger decrease in UC82 than in RP75/59.

BMC Plant Biology

In contrast, when the vestibular stimulus was paired with an appropriate visual stimulus (see 'Materials and methods'), there was a bigger decrease in VOR gain than induced by the vestibular stimulus alone, demonstrating that an associative decrease in VOR gain was possible.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a big decrease in", ensure you quantify the decrease if possible (e.g., "a big decrease in sales by 30%") to provide more context and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a big decrease in" when the actual reduction is minor or insignificant. Use more appropriate terms like "a slight decrease" or "a small reduction" to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big decrease in" functions as a noun phrase that describes a significant reduction or decline. It's typically followed by a noun indicating what is decreasing, as illustrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a big decrease in" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a significant reduction. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and demonstrates its usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific reporting. While it maintains a neutral register suitable for professional communication, more formal alternatives like "a significant reduction in" are available. Remember to quantify the decrease whenever possible to enhance clarity and impact. Avoid exaggeration by ensuring the reduction is truly substantial. The prevalence of the phrase in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian confirms its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant reduction in

Replaces "big decrease" with a more formal synonym, "significant reduction".

a substantial decline in

Uses "substantial decline" to convey a similar meaning with a slightly different tone.

a marked drop in

Emphasizes the noticeable nature of the decrease by using "marked drop".

a considerable lessening of

Offers a more formal and nuanced way to express a reduction, using "considerable lessening".

a sharp downturn in

Suggests a sudden and significant negative change, using "sharp downturn".

a steep fall in

Implies a rapid and significant decline, using "steep fall".

a notable depletion of

Focuses on the reduction in quantity, using "notable depletion".

a considerable contraction of

Suggests a shrinking or reduction in size or scope, using "considerable contraction".

a major decrement in

Uses a more technical term, "decrement", to indicate a decrease.

a pronounced dwindling of

Emphasizes the gradual reduction over time, using "pronounced dwindling".

FAQs

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

You can use "a big decrease in" to describe a significant reduction in something. For example, "There has been "a big decrease in" the number of reported cases this year."

What can I say instead of "a big decrease in"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant reduction in", "a substantial decline in", or "a marked drop in" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a big decrease in" or "a significant decrease in"?

"A significant decrease in" is generally considered more formal and precise. "A big decrease in" is more informal but perfectly acceptable in many contexts.

What's the difference between "a decrease in" and "a big decrease in"?

"A decrease in" simply indicates a reduction. "A big decrease in" emphasizes that the reduction is substantial or noteworthy.