can reduce

USAGE SUMMARY

'can reduce' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is most often used to express the potential for something to have a smaller size, value, or amount. For example, "Making small changes to our everyday practices can reduce our carbon footprint significantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It can reduce companies' costs.

The Economist

Second, overload can reduce creativity.

The Economist

We can reduce numbers.

The New York Times

High cholesterol can reduce blood flow, too.

The New York Times

You can reduce that feeling, though.

The New York Times

It very much can reduce excessive leverage.

The New York Times

Or four, we can reduce consumption, period.

The New York Times

"Sincere confession can reduce penalties".

The New York Times

Wetlands can reduce flood risks.

The Guardian

"It can reduce your faith".

The New York Times

Self talk can reduce anxiety.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can reduce", clearly state what is being reduced and the potential benefits. This enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the extent to which something "can reduce" a negative effect. Use precise language and provide evidence or context to support your claims.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can reduce" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating possibility or potential. It suggests that something has the ability or capacity to lessen, decrease, or diminish something else. Ludwig AI shows the phrase used in examples that express a potential outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

17%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can reduce" is a versatile and frequently used modal verb phrase that expresses the potential for something to lessen or decrease. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and wide applicability make it suitable for various contexts, ranging from news articles and academic papers to informal discussions. The phrase's primary function is to inform or suggest a course of action that could mitigate negative effects. While numerous alternatives exist, such as "can lessen" or "can minimize", it's important to use precise language and provide adequate context to avoid overstating the degree of reduction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can lessen

A simpler and more direct synonym for "reduce".

can diminish

Replaces "reduce" with a synonym that suggests a gradual decrease.

can minimize

Implies reducing something to the smallest possible amount.

can mitigate

Suggests lessening the severity of something negative.

can alleviate

Suggests a reduction in pain or suffering.

can weaken

Implies making something less powerful or effective.

can curtail

Suggests limiting or restricting something.

can curb

Suggests restraining or controlling something.

can abate

Implies a reduction in intensity or degree.

can suppress

Implies holding something back or preventing its expression.

FAQs

How to use "can reduce" in a sentence?

The phrase "can reduce" is used to indicate the potential for something to lessen or decrease. For example, "Exercise "can reduce" stress levels" or "Improved insulation "can reduce" energy consumption".

What can I say instead of "can reduce"?

You can use alternatives like "can lessen", "can minimize", or "can alleviate" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "can reduce" or "can be reduced"?

"Can reduce" indicates an active capacity to lessen something (e.g., "This measure can reduce costs"). "Can be reduced" indicates a passive state, meaning something is able to be lessened (e.g., "Costs can be reduced by this measure"). The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the agent doing the reducing or the thing being reduced.

What's the difference between "can reduce" and "may reduce"?

"Can reduce" suggests a possibility or potential for reduction that is generally expected to occur. "May reduce" also indicates a possibility, but it suggests a lower probability or a greater degree of uncertainty compared to ""can reduce"".