a significant decrease in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant decrease in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a notable reduction in quantity, quality, or intensity of something. Example: "The study revealed a significant decrease in the population of the species over the last decade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

After adjusting for other variables, there was also a significant decrease in deaths.

The New York Times - Health

The long-term hope is a significant decrease in the city's reliance on fossil fuels.

The New York Times

By 1970, he had noticed, with alarm, a significant decrease in astronomical visibility.

The New Yorker

They have shown we should expect a significant decrease in farm incomes.

The New York Times

They are expecting neither a significant increase nor a significant decrease in attendance this season.

The New York Times

Yet the science shows that if air pollution is addressed, there will be a significant decrease in climate emissions.

The Guardian - Opinion

The study found "a significant decrease in headache severity in the capsaicin group," but not the placebo group.

The New York Times - Health

A lot of families saw a significant decrease in their amount of set benefits on the month to month basis.

The Guardian - Money

There seems to be evidence, he says, of a significant decrease in the number of high-street brands doing so.

The Guardian - Film

However, further increases make a significant decrease in the efficiency.

International Nano Letters

And we saw a significant decrease in fights, too.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a significant decrease in", ensure the context clearly indicates what is decreasing and why it is important to note the significance. Provide quantifiable data if possible to strengthen the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a significant decrease in" without establishing a clear baseline or comparison point. Without context, the significance of the decrease may be unclear or misinterpreted by the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant decrease in" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It indicates a notable reduction in something. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a significant decrease in" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a notable reduction. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is frequently used in both scientific and news contexts to highlight reductions in areas like crime, income, or physical properties. The phrase serves to draw attention to decreases that are of a noteworthy magnitude. Alternatives include "a marked decline in" or "a substantial drop in". When using this phrase, provide context to establish significance and quantifiable data to support your claims. According to Ludwig, this phrase is perfectly correct for use in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a marked decline in

Substitutes "significant" with "marked" to emphasize the notability of the decrease, while maintaining the same grammatical structure.

a considerable reduction in

Replaces "significant" with "considerable" and "decrease" with "reduction", offering a more formal tone.

a substantial drop in

Uses "substantial" instead of "significant" to highlight the magnitude of the decrease and replaces "decrease" with "drop" to denote a sharp fall.

a sharp fall in

Replaces "significant decrease" with "sharp fall" to emphasize the speed and intensity of the reduction.

a dramatic reduction of

Swaps "significant decrease" to "dramatic reduction" to amplify the intensity and visual impact of the reduction.

a noticeable lessening of

Replaces "significant decrease" with "noticeable lessening" to soften the impact and shift focus to the gradual reduction.

a visible decline of

Replaces "significant" with "visible" to stress that the decline can be easily seen or observed.

a distinct downturn in

Employs "distinct downturn" to suggest a negative trend, often used in economic or performance contexts.

an important cutback in

Employs "important cutback" to suggest the decrease has practical or impactful implications.

a major depletion of

Replaces "decrease" with "depletion" to emphasize resource exhaustion or severe reduction.

FAQs

How can I use "a significant decrease in" in a sentence?

Use "a significant decrease in" to highlight a notable reduction. For instance, "There has been a significant decrease in crime rates this year" or "The company reported a significant decrease in profits".

What are some alternatives to "a significant decrease in"?

You can use alternatives like "a marked decline in", "a considerable reduction in", or "a substantial drop in depending on the context".

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

Both "a significant decrease in" and "a significant reduction in" are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. The choice often depends on the specific nuance you want to convey, with "reduction" sometimes sounding more formal.

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

"A slight decrease in" indicates a small or minor reduction, while "a significant decrease in" emphasizes that the reduction is substantial and noteworthy. The word "significant" highlights the importance or impact of the decrease.