a general reduction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a general reduction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a decrease in quantity, size, or intensity in a broad or overall sense. Example: "The company announced a general reduction in its workforce due to budget constraints."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There has been a general reduction in work.

The Guardian

"People nowadays, because there has been such a general reduction in quality of service, they have lower expectations about flying.

The New York Times

Saturday's bombings, like many recently, appeared intended to kill Shiite civilians and inflame sectarian tensions that continue to simmer despite a general reduction in violence in recent years.

The New York Times

But the attacks have declined in frequency and scale since late 2004, mirroring a general reduction in the pace and intensity of guerrilla fighting in Russia's southwest.

The New York Times

Partial disarmament may consist of the elimination of certain types or classes of weapons or a general reduction (but not elimination) of all classes of weapons.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Regarding prices, there is a general reduction.

Journal of Economic Structures

No major functional changes, just a general reduction in rate of eye injury.

TechCrunch

Furthermore, they observed a general reduction of time of the surgery and post-op morbidity too.

International Journal of Implant Dentistry

With increase in SDA content a general reduction in maximum dry unit weight was observed.

International Journal of Geo-Engineering

A general reduction of applied agrochemicals using nanoencapsulated plant protection products and slow-release fertilizers;   4.

Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture

There was a general reduction in the headache intensity and frequency without differences between groups.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a general reduction", clearly specify what is being reduced to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "There was a general reduction", say "There was a general reduction in spending."

Common error

Avoid using "a general reduction" without providing context or quantifiable metrics. Saying "a general reduction in costs" is vague. Instead, specify the percentage or amount of the reduction, such as "a 10% general reduction in operating costs."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a general reduction" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a decrease or diminution that is broad or widespread, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a general reduction" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a widespread decrease, supported by Ludwig AI. It functions as a noun phrase and serves to inform about a broad reduction, as demonstrated through examples from diverse sources like news outlets and scientific publications. While versatile, providing context is key to avoid vagueness. Consider alternatives like "overall decline" or "widespread decrease" for nuanced expression. Usage is frequent across scientific, news, and general contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overall decline

Replaces "reduction" with "decline", emphasizing a downward trend in a broad sense.

widespread decrease

Substitutes "general" with "widespread" and "reduction" with "decrease" to denote a broad diminution.

broad lessening

Replaces "reduction" with "lessening", indicating a general decrease in intensity or amount.

comprehensive cutback

Uses "cutback" to convey a reduction, particularly in spending or resources, and "comprehensive" to emphasize its extent.

overall contraction

Employs "contraction" to suggest a reduction in size or scope in a general manner.

universal diminishing

Replaces "general" with "universal" and "reduction" with "diminishing" to suggest a widespread decrease.

global downturn

Employs "downturn" to imply a decrease, particularly in economic terms, with "global" indicating its widespread nature.

across-the-board decrease

Uses "across-the-board" to mean affecting everything equally, replacing "general", and combines with "decrease".

general fall

Substitutes "reduction" with "fall", suggesting a widespread decrease or drop.

sweeping curtailment

Replaces "reduction" with "curtailment", indicating a reduction or restriction, and "sweeping" emphasizing the extent.

FAQs

How can I use "a general reduction" in a sentence?

Use "a general reduction" to describe a widespread decrease. For example, "The company implemented "a general reduction" in its marketing budget."

What's the difference between "a general reduction" and "a specific reduction"?

"A general reduction" implies a broad decrease, while "a specific reduction" refers to a decrease in a particular area or item. For example, "a specific reduction in paper usage".

What can I say instead of "a general reduction"?

You can use alternatives like "overall decline", "widespread decrease", or "broad lessening" depending on the context.

Is "a general reduction in" the same as "a reduction of"?

While similar, "a general reduction in" emphasizes the area affected by the reduction, while "a reduction of" emphasizes the amount being reduced. For example, "a general reduction in costs" versus "a reduction of 10%".