a little decrease

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little decrease" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small reduction in quantity, size, or degree. Example: "After implementing the new strategy, we noticed a little decrease in our operational costs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

After 10 cycles, a little decrease in the degradation rate was observed.

Nanoscale Res Lett

The catalytic current behaved similar except for a little decrease in each 200 sweep cycles.

Nanoscale Research Letters

In contrast, only a little decrease in perceived naturalness is noticed between the (MUL) and the (SAV) samples.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

With a little exception for IR-64, where without inoculation, a little decrease in expression was recorded under osmotic stress.

Rice

It can improve the energy efficiency of the first TSEEOB-CSS algorithm, with its sensing performance a little decrease.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Same detection limit for E. coli was achieved for real sample analysis with a little decrease on the sensor signal.

Biosensors and Bioelectronics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Simulation results show that in this situation the resolution threshold may be a little decreased.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

But continuing to increase the power of Al2O3 to 140 W, the (100) peak is a little decreased.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Concentration of HEIA increased with time and then a little decreased, representing that it is stable product and it plays a role as intermediate after 3 weeks undergoing further reaction rather than a final product.

Chemistry Central Journal

The recovery of radioactivity in whole-body PET/CT scans (total activity in the image/injected radioactivity) was quantitative at the first frame (89% ± 8%, at 1 5 min after injection, n = 3) and gradually only a little decreased to the last frame (76% ± 5%, at 115 128 min after injection, n = 3).

EJNMMI Research

With urea, the pH at first a little decreased, then sharply rose to pH 6.8 and reduced again to pH 5 where the pH controller avoided further acidification; the KOH dosage was in fact much smaller (only 10 mL/L 2 M KOH or 0.04 g KOH per g of produced biomass; Table 4).

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a little decrease", ensure the context clearly indicates what is decreasing and why the small magnitude is relevant. This adds clarity and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a little decrease" when the reduction is actually substantial. This can mislead the reader and undermine the credibility of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little decrease" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a minor reduction. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in scientific and general contexts, confirming its function as a descriptive term.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

92%

News & Media

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a little decrease" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression used to describe a minor reduction. As Ludwig highlights, it appears predominantly in scientific contexts, with some presence in news and formal business communication. While interchangeable with alternatives like "a slight decline" or "a minor reduction", it's crucial to use it accurately, avoiding overstatement of the reduction's significance. Its versatility makes it a valuable asset in precise and informative writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight decline

Replaces "decrease" with "decline", implying a gradual reduction.

a minor reduction

Substitutes "decrease" with "reduction", suggesting a small lessening.

a small drop

Uses "drop" instead of "decrease", indicating a quick, small fall.

a marginal dip

Employs "dip" to convey a brief and shallow decrease.

a mild downturn

Replaces "decrease" with "downturn", often used in economic contexts.

a negligible lessening

Uses "lessening" to describe a very small reduction, almost insignificant.

a modest abatement

Substitutes "decrease" with "abatement", indicating a reduction in intensity or degree.

a fractional diminution

Employs "diminution" to express a slight decrease in size or importance.

a minimal decrement

Replaces "decrease" with "decrement", often used in technical or scientific contexts.

a hairline decline

Uses "hairline" to emphasize the small and almost imperceptible nature of the decline.

FAQs

How to use "a little decrease" in a sentence?

You can use "a little decrease" to describe a minor reduction in something, for example, "We observed "a little decrease" in sales this quarter."

What can I say instead of "a little decrease"?

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

Which is correct, "a little decrease" or "a slight decrease"?

Both ""a little decrease"" and "a slight decrease" are correct, with "slight" often implying a more subtle change than "little".

What's the difference between "a little decrease" and "a significant decrease"?

"A little decrease" refers to a small reduction, while "a significant decrease" indicates a notable and important reduction.