a diminished number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a diminished number" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quantity that has decreased or been reduced in some way. Example: "Due to the recent budget cuts, we are left with a diminished number of resources to complete the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

With a proliferation of channels competing for a diminished number of total viewers, media companies have looked elsewhere for growth.

The New York Times

Also, our group (Lopez-Franco et al., 2016) observed a smaller percentage of immunostained matrix and a diminished number of positive nuclei against COMP in menisci from OA knees, compared to samples from partial meniscectomy (Fig. 5).

Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics

The school is currently operating with Afghan National Army soldiers positioned on its roof, with a diminished number of students and teachers and with the sound of fighting regularly audible nearby.

Vice

The school is currently operating with ANA soldiers positioned on its roof, with a diminished number of students and teachers, and with the sound of fighting regularly audible nearby.

Vice

Thus, while essentially all gene conversion tracts in the GFP-LacI control cells contained at least two mutations, acceleration of diversification by either tethered VP16 or HIRA was accompanied by a diminished number of nucleotide substitutions per tract.

Plosone

The linker insertions were distributed almost randomly over the holoprotein, but with a diminished number of mutants within the β-domain, as evidenced by nucleotide sequencing (Table 1 and Fig. 1).

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Similarly, Spo11 Gal/Gal ovaries were smaller than in wild type and showed a greatly diminished number of follicles.

BMC Genomics

Interestingly, these mutations in mitochondrial genes typically result in a glossy eye phenotype as a result of diminished number of cone and accessory cells that are responsible for secreting the lens [42].

Plosone

Moreover, a bone biopsy study reported diminished number of osteoblasts and a corresponding reduction in osteoclast number in patients with AIS [26], indicating disturbance in the bone metabolism as a primary change.

Plosone

From this point-of-view, the greatly diminished number of compartment transitions by some juvenile A and BALB mice could indicate that 24 h of social isolation prior to testing was insufficient to mediate an active exploratory response in a proportion of individuals from each strain.

Genes, Brain and Behavior

This is of itself, given the diminished number of police officers patrolling our roads, an unlikely eventuality.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a diminished number", ensure the context clearly indicates what the number is diminishing from. Providing a comparison helps the reader understand the significance of the reduction.

Common error

Avoid using "a diminished number" without specifying what is being counted or compared. Ambiguity can arise if the reader doesn't understand the original quantity or baseline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a diminished number" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that the quantity or count of something has been reduced. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its correct usage in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

68%

News & Media

26%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a diminished number" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a reduction in quantity or count. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is used across various contexts including scientific, news, and business domains. Its function is to convey that something has decreased from a previous state and its register is considered neutral. When using this phrase, it's essential to provide context to clarify what is being counted and compared to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "a reduced number" or "a smaller quantity" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reduced quantity

Focuses on the decrease in amount rather than count.

a smaller quantity

Emphasizes size or amount instead of count.

a reduced amount

Highlights the decrease in the total.

a lower quantity

Implies a decrease to a specified level.

a decreased quantity

Directly states that quantity has lessened.

a reduced count

Focuses specifically on the act of counting and the result being lower.

a lower total

Refers to the final sum being less than before.

a smaller total

Emphasizes that the resulting sum is smaller.

a reduced scale

Implies a reduction in the extent or scope.

a decreasing value

Focuses on the diminishing value or importance.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "a diminished number"?

You can use alternatives like "a reduced number", "a smaller number", or "a decreased quantity" depending on the context.

How do I use "a diminished number" in a sentence?

Use "a diminished number" to describe a reduction in quantity. For example: "There was a diminished number of attendees at the meeting this year."

Which is correct, "a diminished number" or "a decreased number"?

Both "a diminished number" and "a decreased number" are correct and can be used interchangeably in many contexts, although "diminished" may imply a more gradual or subtle reduction.

What's the difference between "a diminished number" and "a smaller number"?

"A diminished number" implies a reduction from a previous state, whereas "a smaller number" simply indicates a lower quantity without necessarily implying a prior state.