a small decrease

USAGE SUMMARY

"a small decrease" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which something is going down only slightly, or changing in a minor way. For example: We have observed a small decrease in the number of customer complaints this week.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Analysts had expected a small decrease in initial claims.

The New York Times

Washington had a small decrease, falling to 232 homicides from 241 in 1999.

The New York Times

Similarly, XIAP levels were not affected except for a small decrease after 24 h.

Nature

One small study found that increasing physical activity may confer a small decrease in symptoms.

University of California, Berkeley

Those risks outweighed the drugs' benefits -- a small decrease in hip fractures and a decrease in colorectal cancer.

The New York Times

That is a small decrease, but it suggests that inflation may have slowed or paused in August.

The New York Times

In 2007 there was an increase in the birthrate and a small decrease in the death rate.

The New York Times

The report recorded a small decrease in the economic damage done over the five years monitored in the report.

The Guardian

Since natural gas burns cleaner than coal, the result has been a small decrease in U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

MIT Technology Review

NREM sleep is usually associated with a small decrease in Tb (~1 °C) and wakefulness is associated with an increase.

Nature

Even a small decrease in the coral's ability to construct its skeleton can leave it vulnerable to erosion.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a small decrease", quantify the decrease with specific numbers or percentages to provide more clarity and impact to your statement.

Common error

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

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small decrease" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable phrase. It quantifies the action of decreasing, indicating a reduction that is limited in scope.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

38%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a small decrease" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a minor reduction. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts, including science, news, and academia. While alternatives like "a slight reduction" or "a minor decline" exist, "a small decrease" provides a clear and direct way to convey a limited downward change. When using this phrase, ensure that the "small" qualifier accurately reflects the magnitude of the reduction being described to avoid misleading interpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight reduction

Replaces "decrease" with "reduction", emphasizing the act of lessening something slightly.

a minor decline

Substitutes "decrease" with "decline", suggesting a gradual deterioration or weakening.

a marginal dip

Uses "dip" instead of "decrease", implying a temporary and shallow decline.

a modest drop

Replaces "decrease" with "drop", indicating a downward movement of a limited extent.

a negligible downturn

Employs "downturn" in place of "decrease", suggesting a downward trend that is almost insignificant.

a limited lessening

Substitutes "decrease" with "lessening", highlighting the act of making something less, but to a small degree.

a diminutive fall

Replaces "decrease" with "fall", suggesting a downward movement that is very small.

a trivial reduction

Uses "trivial" to emphasize that the decrease is of little importance or significance.

a barely perceptible decline

Highlights that the decline is so small it's hard to notice.

a fractional decrease

Indicates the decrease is only a small fraction of the whole.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small decrease" to describe a slight reduction or decline in something. For example, "There was a small decrease in sales this quarter."

What are some alternatives to saying "a small decrease"?

Alternatives include "a slight reduction", "a minor decline", or "a marginal dip", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a small decrease" or "a slight decrease"?

Both "a small decrease" and "a slight decrease" are acceptable and have similar meanings. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

"A small decrease" indicates a minor reduction, whereas "a significant decrease" implies a more substantial and noteworthy reduction. The choice depends on the size of the reduction you are describing.