be effective to decrease

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be effective to decrease" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically intended to express the idea of achieving a reduction in something, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The new policy is designed to be effective to decrease the number of accidents in the workplace."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Those cells were confirmed to be effective to decrease rest pain and ulcer size, but its effect was not fully satisfied.

BioMed Research International

The developed design tools, therefore, prove to be effective to decrease aircraft design cycle time.

Aerospace Science and Technology

Furthermore, the addition of nitrogen was found to be effective to decrease the electron temperature approximately 2 eV due to the vibrational excitation of nitrogen molecules by electron impact.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Anticoagulation therapy seems to be effective to decrease the thrombus and prevent thrombosis formation.

Surgical Case Reports

MICAL-L1 knock-down was shown in HeLa cells to be effective to decrease MICAL-L1 RNA expression previously.

Communicative and Integrative Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Exercise is effective to decrease sleep complains and treat chronic insomnia, it demonstrates comparable effectiveness on sleep problems when compared with hypnotics.

Therapie und Prävention Durch Sport, Band 2

Use of high injection flow rate by 2 LPCI units is effective to decrease the MCST.

Nuclear Engineering and Design

Pre-heating of hydrogen by coal combustion before blowing to a shaft furnace was effective to decrease heat input, although CO2 emissions increased.

Nuclear Engineering and Design

The simulation results show that the control strategy is effective to decrease the roll motion and robust to overcome the uncertainties and random waves.

Ocean Engineering

It was found out that the Be shifter was superior to others and the Be shifter was effective to decrease the contribution of 14 MeV neutrons especially for secondary gamma-ray spectrum measurements.

Fusion Engineering and Design

Third, the new-type embankment structure is effective to decrease the underlying ground temperature and to ensure the stability of expressway with a wide (multi-lane) and high-temperature upper surface in warm permafrost regions.

Cold Regions Science and Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to describe methods that reduce or lower something, use "be effective in reducing" or "be effective at decreasing". For example, "This strategy is effective in reducing errors".

Common error

Avoid using "to" before a gerund (a verb form ending in -ing that functions as a noun) when describing effectiveness. The correct structure is "effective in/at + gerund", not "effective to + verb".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be effective to decrease" functions as a verb phrase aiming to express the ability of something to lower or reduce something else. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, this construction is not grammatically correct in standard English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

100%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be effective to decrease" is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI's analysis and example sentences confirm that the accurate and preferred alternatives are "be effective in decreasing" or "be effective at reducing". While predominantly found in scientific contexts, ensure to use the correct preposition to maintain grammatical accuracy in your writing. Remember that you can describe how something reduces something else using prepositions "in" or "at".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be effective in decreasing

This alternative uses the preposition "in" followed by the gerund "decreasing", which is grammatically correct and more common.

be effective at reducing

This uses "at" plus "reducing", focusing on the capability to diminish something.

be successful in reducing

This emphasizes the success of the action in achieving a reduction.

prove effective in lessening

Uses "prove" to highlight demonstrated effectiveness and "lessening" to indicate a reduction.

be instrumental in diminishing

This suggests a key role in causing a decrease.

be helpful for reducing

Suggests that something aids or assists in the process of reducing.

be useful for decreasing

Expresses the utility of something in the process of decreasing.

contribute to a decrease in

Highlights the contribution towards a reduction in something.

play a role in lowering

Indicates involvement in the act of lowering something.

be influential in curbing

This suggests that something is influential in restraining or controlling something.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically sound alternative to "be effective to decrease"?

The phrase "be effective to decrease" is not standard English. More appropriate alternatives include "be effective in decreasing" or "be effective at reducing".

How can I use "be effective in decreasing" in a sentence?

Use "be effective in decreasing" to describe something that successfully lowers or reduces something else. For example, "The new policy is effective in decreasing workplace accidents".

Is there a difference between "be effective in decreasing" and "be effective at reducing"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct and convey similar meanings, "be effective at reducing" is used to emphasize the capability to diminish something. The difference is subtle, and they're often interchangeable.

What prepositions typically follow "effective" when describing a reduction?

When describing how something reduces something else, "effective" is usually followed by the prepositions "in" or "at". For example, "effective in decreasing" or "effective at reducing".