a small reduction of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a small reduction of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a decrease in the size of something. For example, "The company has seen a small reduction of its workforce this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That rate reflected a small reduction of a preliminary tariff set earlier.

The New York Times

It is a small reduction of the current output of 33.24m bpd and was agreed at informal talks at an industry event in Algiers on Wednesday.

The Guardian - Business

Biofuels do not lead to any appreciable sparing of carbon dioxide emissions that could not be better accomplished by the most modest means of energy conservation, such as a small reduction of the legal speed limit on motorways.

The Guardian

But hospital visits for minor ailments form only a proportion of total A&E visits – this study showed that extending GP access led to only a small reduction of 3.1% in total A&E visits.

The Guardian

Leaving out the economies of India, China and the developing world, the treaty negotiators knew they were merely agreeing to a small reduction of a certain increase in atmospheric carbon concentrations.What we've done in the past isn't working.

The Economist

A small reduction of the surface roughness can also be observed for thicker layer [22].

Journal of the European Optical Society-Rapid Publications

"Qualcomm conducted a small reduction of our full-time and temporary workforce in certain areas of the company," a spokesperson told TechCrunch.

TechCrunch

The major reason for such a small reduction of that period, according to the IEA, was the resurgence of coal.

BBC

Even a small reduction of the high energy demand of foundries can be appreciable as absolute value.

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

The results show only a small reduction of the mechanical properties at twice the ITER design fluence.

Fusion Engineering and Design

The new combination grid reduced finfish bycatch by 33%, with a small reduction of targeted shrimp catch (12%).

Fisheries Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing statistical data or research findings, use "a small reduction of" to accurately represent the magnitude of change.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a small reduction of" something is automatically unimportant. Even minor reductions can be meaningful depending on the context and scale involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small reduction of" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples, indicating its role in describing a decrease in quantity or intensity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small reduction of" is a grammatically sound and very common noun phrase used to describe a slight decrease. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent appearance across diverse sources. The phrase is appropriate for neutral and professional registers, appearing most often in scientific and news-related contexts. When using this phrase, remember that 'small' does not necessarily equate to 'insignificant'; the importance depends on the context. Consider using alternatives like "a limited reduction of" or "a minor reduction of" to fine-tune the nuance of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A limited reduction of

Suggests that the reduction is subject to certain constraints or boundaries.

A minor reduction of

Emphasizes the insignificance or unimportance of the reduction.

A slight reduction of

Highlights the subtlety or gradual nature of the reduction.

A minimal reduction of

Underscores that the reduction is at the lowest possible level.

A modest reduction of

Indicates the reduction is moderate or reasonable in scale.

A tiny reduction of

Emphasizes the very small size or amount of the reduction.

A small decrease of

Replaces "reduction" with "decrease", offering a direct synonym.

A marginal reduction of

Implies the reduction is barely noticeable or significant.

A fractional reduction of

Indicates the reduction is only a small part or fraction of the whole.

A negligible reduction of

Suggests the reduction is so small it's practically non-existent.

FAQs

How can I use "a small reduction of" in a sentence?

You can use "a small reduction of" to describe a slight decrease in quantity, size, or intensity. For example: "The new policy resulted in "a small reduction of emissions"."

What are some alternatives to saying "a small reduction of"?

Alternatives include "a slight decrease in", "a minor cut in", or "a modest decline of", depending on the context.

Is it always positive to see "a small reduction of" something?

Not necessarily. Whether it's positive or negative depends on what's being reduced. "A small reduction of costs" is generally good, while "a small reduction of customer satisfaction" would be undesirable.

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

"A small reduction of" indicates a minor decrease, while "a significant reduction of" implies a substantial or noteworthy decrease. The choice depends on the scale of the reduction being described.