are downsized by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are downsized by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing reductions in size, number, or importance, often in relation to companies or organizations reducing their workforce. Example: "Due to the economic downturn, many employees are downsized by their companies to cut costs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Finally, the multilamellar vesicles are downsized by extrusion of the lipid suspension through a polycarbonate filter of well-defined pore size at elevated temperature or by sonication to yield a suspension of liposomes with a narrow and well-defined size distribution.

Angiogenesis

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

With too little food to sustain them, they were downsized by natural selection — a process known as insular dwarfism — and their metabolism was repurposed for stockpiling calories.

The New Yorker

With too little food to sustain them, they were downsized by natural selection a process known as insular dwarfism and their metabolism was repurposed for stockpiling calories.

The New Yorker

After months of rehabilitation on an abdominal strain, she parachuted into the Australian Open, only to be downsized by Lisa Raymond, a doubles specialist.

The New York Times - Sports

Nestlé has announced the popular Killer Python confectionery will be downsized by approximately half in an effort to reduce the portion size of the sweet.

The Guardian

The bearings are lightweight and enable machines and devices to be downsized by reducing the number of parts, since the journal and thrust loads can be supported by a pair of bearings.

Precision Engineering

The beer fort was downsized by the second weekend because Beer Fort Guy left a few cases behind for his friend's younger brother to play with.

Vice

You don't have to hide them.' (Respondent 8) The partnership structure was downsized by removing the management team.

BMC Health Services Research

Downsizing - Thousands of people are downsized every day.

WikiHow

They are fired or, in this uncertain economy, they are downsized.

The New York Times

Among them are downsized machines from Honda, Kawasaki, Ducati and BMW.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are downsized by" when you want to emphasize the agent or method causing the reduction. For instance, "The company's workforce was downsized by automation" highlights the role of automation.

Common error

Avoid using "downsize from" when you mean to indicate the cause of downsizing. "Downsized from" implies the original size or state, while "downsized by" indicates the agent or method responsible for the reduction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are downsized by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something is being reduced in size or quantity by a specific agent or factor. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are downsized by" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to describe a reduction in size or quantity due to a specific cause. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for formal and neutral contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and business communications. While not exceedingly common, it effectively conveys how something is being scaled down by a particular agent or method. Alternatives like "are reduced by" or "are scaled back by" can be used for similar meanings, depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are reduced by

Focuses on the direct reduction in size or quantity.

are diminished by

Emphasizes a decrease in importance or quality.

are scaled back by

Suggests a deliberate reduction in scope or intensity.

are contracted by

Highlights a decrease in physical size or extent.

are lessened by

Focuses on making something smaller or less.

are curtailed by

Implies a restriction or limitation being imposed.

are truncated by

Indicates a shortening or cutting off of something.

are pared down by

Suggests a careful and deliberate reduction to essential elements.

are abbreviated by

Highlights a shortening, particularly of text or time.

are trimmed by

Implies a small, neat reduction, often for aesthetic or practical reasons.

FAQs

How can I use "are downsized by" in a sentence?

The phrase "are downsized by" is used to indicate that something is reduced in size or quantity due to a specific cause or factor. For example, "The team's budget "is reduced by" 20% due to budget cuts."

What are some alternatives to "are downsized by"?

You can use alternatives such as "are reduced by", "are diminished by", or "are scaled back by" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "are downsized by" in formal writing?

Yes, "are downsized by" is acceptable in formal writing, particularly when discussing organizational restructuring, economic impacts, or resource allocation. However, ensure the context clearly indicates the cause or method of the downsizing.

What's the difference between "are downsized by" and "are reduced in"?

"Are downsized by" typically implies a deliberate act of reducing something, often in an organizational or economic context, whereas "are reduced in" is more general and can refer to any decrease in size, quantity, or quality. The former is specific to downsizing scenarios, while the latter is more versatile.