a modest reduction in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest reduction in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a small or moderate decrease in something, such as costs, prices, or quantities. Example: "The company announced a modest reduction in its annual budget to improve financial stability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is achieved through a modest reduction in both taxation and spending".

Independent

He said a modest reduction in the taper rate would instead "leave a bittersweet taste among just about managing families".

The Guardian

"This is why even a modest reduction in funding for physics will result in a catastrophe," he said.

The Guardian

Even a modest reduction in Liverpool's goals against column last season could have made a monumental difference.

The Guardian - Sport

But Hunter said he could agree to a modest reduction in the players' 57 percent guarantee of basketball revenues.

The New York Times - Sports

It is expected tomorrow to announce a modest reduction in the number of British troops in southern Iraq from 5,500 to 5,000.

The Guardian

Lacking this knowledge, we shoot a native wild animal in the hope it will produce a modest reduction in a disease afflicting an inbred, factory-farmed domestic beast.

The Guardian

Bradley also argues plausibly that it's time to close tax loopholes for the rich in exchange for a modest reduction in tax rates, as Congress did in 1986.

The New York Times - Books

That means that personal taxes and cash payments reduce inequality by 0.135 points, a modest reduction in inequality relative to most OECD countries.

The Guardian - Opinion

Thus, there is a need for larger, longer-term studies to determine whether antibiotics can produce a modest reduction in heart attacks, Dr. Muhlestein's team said.

The New York Times - Health

The European study, involving 182,000 men, found a modest reduction in deaths after nine years — 7 fewer prostate cancer deaths per 10,000 men screened.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision, quantify "a modest reduction in" with specific percentages or numerical values to provide clarity and context for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "a modest reduction in" when the actual decrease is substantial. Misrepresenting the scale of change can mislead your audience and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modest reduction in" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a quantifiable decrease, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a modest reduction in" is a versatile phrase used to describe a small or moderate decrease. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in both formal and informal writing. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, it serves to objectively report a slight decline without exaggeration. For clarity, supplement it with specific data. Be mindful of overstating the impact. Use alternative phrases such as "a slight decrease in" or "a small cut in" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight decrease in

Replaces "reduction" with "decrease" and "modest" with "slight", emphasizing a minor change.

a small cut in

Uses "cut" to replace "reduction", implying a more direct or abrupt decrease.

a marginal decline in

Substitutes "reduction" with "decline" and "modest" with "marginal", suggesting the decrease is barely noticeable.

a limited decrease in

Replaces "modest" with "limited", focusing on the constrained nature of the reduction.

a conservative lessening of

Employs "conservative lessening" indicating restraint or caution in the reduction.

a negligible drop in

Uses "negligible drop" to suggest the reduction is so small it's almost insignificant.

a tempered contraction of

Replaces both words with more formal synonyms indicating a controlled decrease.

a measured abatement of

Uses more technical and formal language, suggesting a carefully controlled decrease.

a subtle easing of

Indicates a gentle or gradual reduction, almost imperceptible.

a slim trimming of

Uses "trimming" to suggest a neat and small reduction, as if tidying something up.

FAQs

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

You can use "a modest reduction in" to describe a slight decrease in something. For example, "The company announced "a modest reduction in" its workforce due to restructuring".

What are some alternatives to "a modest reduction in"?

You can use alternatives like "a slight decrease in", "a small cut in", or "a marginal decline in" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a modest reduction in" or "a significant reduction in"?

The choice depends on the magnitude of the decrease. Use ""a modest reduction in"" for a small decrease and "a significant reduction in" for a large decrease.

What's the difference between "a modest reduction in" and "a drastic reduction in"?

"A modest reduction in" indicates a small or moderate decrease, while "a drastic reduction in" implies a large, impactful decrease.