be reduced to

USAGE SUMMARY

'be reduced to' is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a situation in which something has been reduced in size or stature. Example: The business has been reduced to a single outlet.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They can be reduced to a code.

The Guardian

They cannot be reduced to replicable formulas.

The New Yorker

It suggests that her sentence be reduced to 10 years.

The Guardian

Surely high quality academic writing cannot be reduced to goals?

The Guardian

It cannot be reduced to just one of its databases".

The Guardian - Books

In 1982, the level will be reduced to 75 decibels.

The New Yorker

This complexity cannot be reduced to a simple statistic.

The New York Times

Over 90 such grants will be reduced to around 10.

The Guardian

It may be reduced to the problem: what is money?

The Guardian - Books

"Under universal credit, they will be reduced to 300 pages".

The Guardian

And Greenspan.com will be reduced to a penny stock.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for academic purposes, clarify how the reduction or simplification impacts analysis or understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "be reduced to" when the intended meaning is merely a change or alteration, not an actual reduction in size, complexity, or status. Use alternative phrasing if a simple conversion is meant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be reduced to" functions as a passive construction indicating a transformation or simplification of something. Ludwig shows examples ranging from abstract concepts to tangible objects. It shows the ending state after the process of reducing something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

45%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be reduced to" is a versatile and commonly used expression signifying a decrease, simplification, or transformation into something of lesser complexity or size. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and finds frequent application across diverse contexts, notably in News & Media and Science, with a neutral register. Alternatives include phrases like ""be simplified to"" or "be diminished to", providing nuanced options based on the intended meaning. When using "be reduced to", ensure clarity regarding the subject being reduced and the final state resulting from the reduction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be simplified to

Focuses on making something less complex, highlighting the simplification aspect.

be diminished to

Emphasizes a decrease in size, importance, or value.

be converted to

Highlights the transformation of something into a different form or state.

be narrowed down to

Suggests a focusing or restriction to a smaller set of options or possibilities.

be boiled down to

Implies a simplification to the most essential elements.

be truncated to

Focuses on shortening or cutting something.

be condensed to

Emphasizes making something more compact or concentrated.

be degraded to

Indicates a decline in quality or status.

be abridged to

Highlights the shortening of a written work.

be minimized to

Focuses on reducing something to the smallest possible amount or degree.

FAQs

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

Use "be reduced to" to show that something has been simplified, decreased, or transformed into a less complex or smaller form. For instance, "The complex problem can "be simplified to" a single equation".

What are some alternatives to "be reduced to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as ""be simplified to"", "be diminished to", or "be converted to".

When is it appropriate to use "be reduced to" in formal writing?

It is appropriate in formal writing to denote a precise simplification or decrease, such as in scientific or technical contexts where complex systems or data sets are streamlined for clarity and efficient analysis. For example, "The data set can "be narrowed down to" essential variables".

What's the difference between "be reduced to" and "become reduced to"?

"Be reduced to" describes a state or possibility, while "become reduced to" indicates a process or change over time. For example, "The company may "be reduced to" a smaller size due to market changes", versus "The company "become reduced to" a smaller size after bankruptcy".