be reduced by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be reduced by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a decrease in quantity, size, or value due to a specific factor or action. Example: "The budget will be reduced by 10% next year to accommodate the new policy changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their number will not be reduced by the flu immunization.

The New York Times - Science

Water use will be reduced by 70percentt, officials said.

The New York Times

Damages might be reduced by better planning, Dr. Wilhite said.

The New York Times - Science

BBC Online's budget will be reduced by 25% by 2013.

The Guardian

Spending can also be reduced by cutting employment.

The Economist

Swelling surrounding tumours can often be reduced by steroid medications.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It may be reduced by reversing the sequence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some of these uncertainties can be reduced by research.

The New York Times

This effect can only be reduced by moving deeper underground.

BBC

(That risk can be reduced by using multiple companies).

Forbes

Emissions would be reduced by 832 million tons per year.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Quantify the reduction whenever possible (e.g., "be reduced by 50%") to provide specific and impactful information.

Common error

Avoid passive constructions that omit the agent causing the reduction. Instead of "The budget will be reduced", specify "The budget will be reduced by the new policy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be reduced by" functions as a passive construction used to indicate that something is being lessened or diminished by a particular factor or action. Ludwig shows numerous examples across diverse fields, confirming its versatility and correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

44%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be reduced by" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to indicate a decrease or lessening caused by a specific factor. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across various domains, including science, news, and general writing. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, clarity can be improved by explicitly stating the agent causing the reduction. Common alternatives include "be decreased by" and "be lessened by", offering subtle variations in meaning. Overall, "be reduced by" is a reliable choice for expressing diminishment across diverse contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be diminished by

Replaces "reduced" with "diminished", implying a lessening in degree or intensity.

be decreased by

Substitutes "reduced" with "decreased", emphasizing a lowering in quantity or size.

be lessened by

Uses "lessened" instead of "reduced", suggesting a weakening or mitigation of something.

be curtailed by

Employs "curtailed", indicating a restriction or cutting short of something.

be mitigated by

Replaces "reduced" with "mitigated", highlighting a lessening of severity or impact.

be alleviated by

Uses "alleviated" to suggest a reduction in pain, suffering, or difficulty.

experience a reduction due to

Changes the structure to emphasize the experience of reduction rather than a direct action.

see a decrease as a result of

Similar to the above, but focuses on observing a decrease due to something.

decline because of

Indicates a falling off or deterioration caused by something.

be tapered down by

Uses "tapered down" to suggest a gradual reduction.

FAQs

How can I use "be reduced by" in a sentence?

Use "be reduced by" to indicate a decrease in something due to a specific cause or action. For example, "Emissions would "be reduced by" 832 million tons per year."

What's a good alternative to "be reduced by"?

Alternatives include phrases like "be decreased by", "be lessened by", or "be diminished by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "be reduced by"?

While "be reduced by" is in the passive voice, using the active voice can sometimes make the sentence more direct and concise. For example, instead of "Costs will be reduced by optimizing relocation trips", you could say "Optimizing relocation trips will reduce costs".

How does the meaning of "be reduced by" differ from "decrease by"?

The meaning is largely the same; however, "decrease by" might be preferred in more technical or mathematical contexts, while ""be reduced by"" is suitable for broader, general usage.