a decrease

USAGE SUMMARY

"a decrease" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to express that something has become smaller in size or amount. For example: "There has been a decrease in the number of customers since the pandemic began."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just 9% saw a decrease.

The Economist

A decrease is expected.

The New York Times

"There is a decrease in fidelity".

The New York Times - Tech

How much of a decrease?

The New York Times

"It's basically a decrease in living standards".

The New York Times

Is it a decrease of narcotics trafficking?

The New York Times

That is a decrease from past levels.

The New York Times

Economists had forecast a decrease of 15,000.

The New York Times

"We've never seen a decrease like this.

The Guardian

Do you have a decrease in libido?

The New York Times

New York City has also seen a decrease in violations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a decrease", be specific about what is decreasing. For example, instead of saying "There was a decrease", say "There was a decrease in sales".

Common error

Avoid using "a decrease" without specifying what is decreasing. This can make your writing unclear and less impactful. Always provide context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decrease" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a reduction or decline in something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples illustrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

18%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a decrease" is a versatile noun phrase used to indicate a reduction or decline in something. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science. When using "a decrease", it's important to specify what is decreasing to avoid vagueness. Related phrases like "a reduction" or "a decline" can be used as alternatives, depending on the nuance you want to convey. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reduction

Focuses on the act of making something smaller or less.

a decline

Implies a gradual worsening or diminution.

a drop

Suggests a sudden or sharp reduction.

a downturn

Often used in economic or business contexts to indicate a decline in activity or performance.

a fall

Similar to "a drop" but can imply a more sustained decline.

a lessening

Indicates a reduction in intensity or degree.

a diminution

A more formal term for a reduction in size, extent, or importance.

a shrinkage

Often refers to a physical reduction in size or amount.

a contraction

Suggests a reduction in size or scope, particularly in economic contexts.

a slump

Implies a sudden and significant decline, often in economic activity.

FAQs

How to use "a decrease" in a sentence?

Use "a decrease" to indicate a reduction in quantity, size, or intensity. For example: "There was "a decrease" in crime rates last year".

What can I say instead of "a decrease"?

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

Is it correct to say "decrease in" or "decrease of"?

"Decrease in" is the more common and grammatically preferred construction. "Decrease of" is less frequent but not necessarily incorrect in all contexts.

What's the difference between "a decrease" and "a reduction"?

While both indicate a lessening, ""a decrease"" generally refers to a natural or gradual decline, while "a reduction" often implies an intentional or controlled lessening.