an overall decrease

USAGE SUMMARY

"an overall decrease" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used when describing a general or overall decline in something. Example: "There has been an overall decrease in crime rates in the city over the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It brings an overall decrease in violence".

The New York Times

Recent surveys in schools also suggest an overall decrease in drug experimentation.

The Guardian

The increasing occurrences of drought and an overall decrease in absolute rainfall promoted drier climates.

University of California, Berkeley

and, as you would expect, an overall decrease in the subjective sense of well-being.

Harvard University

The president's latest budget calls for an overall decrease in federal support for elementary and secondary education.

The New York Times

Both CD4+ FOXP3− T cells and CD4+ FOXP3+ Tregs showed an overall decrease in cell numbers (Supplementary Fig. 5C).

Nature

The average effect was an overall decrease of.3percentt, within the required regulatory formula of 3percentt below inflation.

The New York Times

estimates that after an initial rise in average premiums, there would be an overall decrease beginning in 2020.

The New York Times

suggests a dramatic decline in insect biomass points to an overall decrease in world wide populations of insects.

Cornell University

The number of white children fell in 46 states, for an overall decrease of 10%.

The Economist

This heterogeneity induces an overall decrease in the mean saprolite production rate.

Geomorphology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an overall decrease", ensure you specify what is decreasing and the context of the decrease for clarity. For example, "An overall decrease in sales was observed during the quarter."

Common error

Avoid using "an overall decrease" when referring to a specific, isolated instance. "Overall" implies a general trend, so use more precise language when describing single events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an overall decrease" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a general reduction or decline in something. Ludwig AI indicates that this is a common and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

34%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an overall decrease" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a general reduction or decline, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's versatile, appearing frequently in scientific, news, and academic contexts, highlighting its broad applicability. While synonyms like "a general decline" or "a net reduction" can be used, it's crucial to maintain specificity about what is decreasing. Remember to avoid using "an overall decrease" for isolated incidents, ensuring its use reflects a broader trend. Overall, mastering this phrase enhances clarity and precision in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a general decline

Replaces "overall decrease" with synonyms for "overall" and "decrease", keeping the meaning similar.

a net reduction

Substitutes "overall decrease" with "net reduction", emphasizing the final amount after deductions.

a total lessening

Replaces "decrease" with "lessening", indicating a reduction in amount or intensity.

a widespread reduction

Emphasizes the broad scope of the reduction, similar to "overall".

a comprehensive drop

Uses "drop" instead of "decrease", implying a sudden or significant reduction.

a global downtrend

Implies a negative trend on a worldwide scale, similar to an overall decrease.

a marked downturn

Highlights a noticeable and significant decrease or decline.

a substantial fall

Indicates a significant reduction, using "fall" as a synonym for "decrease".

a broad-based decline

Suggests a decline affecting many areas or aspects, similar to "overall".

a collective decrement

Replaces "decrease" with "decrement", implying a gradual reduction.

FAQs

How can I use "an overall decrease" in a sentence?

Use "an overall decrease" to describe a general reduction or decline in something. For instance, "There has been an overall decrease in the number of reported incidents."

What are some alternatives to "an overall decrease"?

You can use alternatives like "a general decline", "a net reduction", or "a substantial fall" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "a overall decrease" instead of "an overall decrease"?

No, it is incorrect. "Overall" starts with a vowel sound, so it requires the indefinite article "an" instead of "a". Therefore, "an overall decrease" is the correct form.

What's the difference between "an overall decrease" and "a slight decrease"?

"An overall decrease" implies a general trend or widespread reduction, while "a slight decrease" indicates a small or minor reduction. The former focuses on the general picture, the latter on the magnitude.