be decreased

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be decreased" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase "be decreased" when you want to indicate that the amount of something is becoming smaller. For example, "The number of people attending the event was decreased from 1000 to 500."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

However, individual provincial governments could decide to increase their funding of universities and mandate that tuition be decreased.

Vice

Will drug-related crime be decreased?

The New York Times

"In no case may the minimum wage be decreased," insists the South Dakota Department of Labor.

The Guardian - Money

Part of the answer, as many have suggested, is that the weight be decreased.

The New York Times

Releases of particulates will be decreased by 630 tons a year, the agency said.

The New York Times

The default bankruptcy period will also be decreased from three years to 12 months.

The Guardian

He recently decided that the administrative budget, close to $300 million, would be decreased by another $100 million.

The New York Times

Presumably those would have to be decreased in order to allow for full protection of everyone's head.

The Guardian - Sport

Water deliveries would be decreased based on how far water levels drop in Lake Mead and Lake Powell.

The New York Times

An interactive display shows how carbon dioxide emissions can be decreased by altering habits, for example, but what impact will that actually have on changes in global temperature?

The New York Times - Arts

It was an attempt to not allow the bandwidth of my company be decreased by acts of terror that have the potential to traumatise beyond their geographic location.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about trends, use "be decreased" to describe a downward trajectory. For example: "The unemployment rate is projected to be decreased in the coming months."

Common error

Avoid using "decrease" as a direct replacement for "be decreased". "Decrease" is an active verb; "be decreased" is passive. For example, instead of writing "The company will decrease costs", use "Costs will be decreased by the company".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be decreased" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that a subject is undergoing a reduction in quantity, size, or intensity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be decreased" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive verb phrase that signals a reduction in something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business settings. When using the phrase, ensure it aligns with a passive construction and consider synonyms like "be reduced" or "be lessened" for variety. Avoid confusing it with the active verb "decrease". The high frequency of "be decreased" across authoritative sources underscores its importance for precise and effective communication. Use "be decreased" to describe that something is experiencing a reduction due to an action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be lessened

Replaces "decreased" with a synonym, focusing on the reduction in size or intensity.

be reduced

Emphasizes the action of making something smaller or less.

be diminished

Suggests a gradual reduction, often in importance or strength.

be lowered

Implies a physical or figurative descent in level or amount.

be curtailed

Indicates a restriction or cutting short of something.

be shrunk

Suggests a contraction in size, often due to external forces.

be abated

Implies a reduction in intensity or severity, often in the context of something negative.

be mitigated

Focuses on reducing the harmful effects or severity of something.

be attenuated

Highlights a weakening or reduction in force or effect.

be tapered

Describes a gradual reduction, often in width or thickness.

FAQs

How can I use "be decreased" in a sentence?

Use "be decreased" when you want to indicate that a quantity or value is being reduced by an external force or action. For instance, "The budget will "be decreased" due to budget cuts".

What are some alternatives to saying "be decreased"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "be reduced", "be lessened", or "be diminished". Each carries a slightly different nuance but conveys the same general idea of something becoming smaller.

Is it grammatically correct to use "be decreased"?

Yes, "be decreased" is grammatically correct. It's the passive form of the verb "decrease" and is used to show that something is having its value or quantity reduced.

What's the difference between "be decreased" and "decrease"?

"Decrease" is an active verb indicating the action of reducing something. "Be decreased" is a passive construction, indicating that something is being reduced. For example, "We will decrease spending" (active) vs. "Spending will "be decreased" by us" (passive).