a minor reduction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minor reduction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small decrease in quantity, size, or degree in various contexts, such as finance, statistics, or general discussions. Example: "The company reported a minor reduction in expenses this quarter, which positively impacted their overall profit margins."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The current Coalition government set up a similar advisory group, which recommended a minor reduction in logging but no new national park earlier this year.

The Guardian

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council will close down studentships to manage a minor reduction in funding and will rescind up to £135m of grants already awarded if cuts are deeper.

The Guardian

JD said the deal would lead to a "minor reduction" in its earnings in the year to January 28 but it anticipates the following year's figures will not be materially affected.

Independent

In short, Square grew at a decent clip while managing a minor reduction in losses.

TechCrunch

However, we observed a minor reduction of gap junction count in Versene-treated CS.

Tissue and Cell

The authors concluded that salivary gland stimulation with vitamin C caused only a minor reduction of the absorbed dose.

EJNMMI Physics

We showed that good acoustic quality can be achieved with only a minor reduction of cooling capacity.

Energy and Buildings

However, both compounds displayed a minor reduction in plasma glucose levels on imprinting control region (ICR) mice.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry

However, using this definition (although it fulfills the ICDH-2 criteria), patients may be defined as responders even with a minor reduction in headache and intake of medication.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

A proper operational stability of the modified electrode was observed during its continuous testing for 45 min in ethanol solution with a minor reduction in current response.

Nanoscale Research Letters

It was a minor reduction compared to the dramatic actions by other major central banks such as the U.S. Federal Reserve, which has lowered rates virtually to zero.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing data or statistics, quantify "a minor reduction" with specific percentages or values to provide more clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a minor reduction" when the decrease is actually substantial. Ensure the adjective accurately reflects the magnitude of the change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minor reduction" functions as a noun phrase, where "minor" acts as a pre-modifying adjective specifying the degree of the "reduction". Ludwig AI validates this, demonstrating its widespread use in describing small decreases across diverse fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a minor reduction" is a frequently used phrase to describe a small decrease or lessening across various domains, including science, news, and business. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. When using the phrase, ensure that the reduction is indeed minor and consider quantifying it with specific values for clarity. While the phrase is generally neutral, tailoring the vocabulary to the specific context can enhance precision and impact. Alternatives such as "a slight decrease" or "a small cut" may be suitable depending on the desired level of formality. The phrase's high usage frequency and presence in authoritative sources underscore its reliability and acceptance in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight decrease

Uses "decrease" instead of "reduction", implying a small lessening.

a modest decrease

Replaces "minor" with "modest", suggesting a moderate lessening.

a small cut

Replaces "reduction" with the more informal "cut", suggesting a small amount taken away.

a marginal drop

Employs "drop" instead of "reduction", conveying a slight decline.

a negligible decline

Substitutes "reduction" with "decline", highlighting the insignificance of the decrease.

a small-scale decrease

Adds "small-scale" to emphasize the limited size of the decrease.

a limited lessening

Uses "lessening" in place of "reduction", indicating a restricted decrease.

a minimal abatement

Substitutes with the more formal "abatement", implying a slight lessening of something negative.

a fractional curtailment

Employs "curtailment" to suggest a slight limiting or cutting short.

a hairline fracture

This phrase replaces "reduction" by "fracture", suggesting something not easily visible.

FAQs

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

You can use "a minor reduction" to describe a small decrease in quantity, size, or degree. For example, "The company reported "a minor reduction" in expenses this quarter".

What are some alternatives to saying "a minor reduction"?

Alternatives include "a slight decrease", "a small cut", or "a marginal drop" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a minor reduction"?

Use "a minor reduction" when you want to emphasize that a decrease is relatively small and not particularly significant. This is suitable when the exact number of the reduced entity isn't necessary.

What's the difference between "a minor reduction" and "a major reduction"?

"A minor reduction" indicates a small decrease, while "a major reduction" signifies a significant decrease. The choice depends on the extent of the reduction you're describing.