could be decreased

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be decreased" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the potential reduction of something, such as costs, risks, or quantities. Example: "The overall expenses could be decreased by implementing more efficient processes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This could be decreased to about 10%to15%5% if a healthy diet is carefully designed.

Nutrition

Hemodialysis is associated with catabolism and one contributing factor could be decreased bioavailable IGF-I.

Growth Hormone & IGF Research

Primary particle size could be decreased by lowering the calcination temperature.

Electrochimica Acta

Consequently the sludge going to the lagoons could be decreased by one third.

Journal of Cleaner Production

(e) Mitochondrial superoxide levels, detected with mitoSOX, could be decreased by KH176m (IC50 = 1.4 × 10−6 M).

Nature

Virulence could be decreased, but Pasteur suspected that it could be increased as well.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In optimal conditions of backwashing (15 s every 5 min) the resistance could be decreased by 3.5-fold.

Separation and Purification Technology

Free fatty acids (FFAs) in WCO could be decreased up to 93.4% at 60 °C for 3 h.

Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering

If the effective monitored length was reduced by 0.12%, the amount of monitoring points could be decreased to 50.

Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries

It is found that by adding 5% carbon nanotube to the FGM disc the temperature transition time could be decreased.

Composite Structures

If both drugs are replaced by alternatives, the intestinal phosphorus load could be decreased by 8.5%, which is a substantial reduction of phosphorus load in patients with CKD.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for conciseness, consider active voice constructions like "we could decrease" instead of the passive "could be decreased."

Common error

Avoid using "could be decreased" when an active voice construction clarifies who or what is performing the action. For example, instead of "errors could be decreased by careful review", write "careful review could decrease errors".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be decreased" functions as a passive construction indicating a potential for reduction. Ludwig's examples illustrate its usage in various scientific, news, and academic contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could be decreased" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to express the potential for reduction. Ludwig AI validates its frequent use across various domains, including science, news, and academia. While alternatives like "could be reduced" and "could be lowered" exist, "could be decreased" remains a standard and widely accepted option. Remember to consider active voice alternatives for more direct and concise writing. With its widespread applicability and clear meaning, "could be decreased" serves as a valuable tool for expressing possibilities of reduction in numerous contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be reduced

Synonymous; "reduced" is a direct substitute for "decreased".

could be lowered

"Lowered" suggests a decrease in height, level, or amount.

could be lessened

"Lessened" implies a reduction in intensity or degree.

could be diminished

"Diminished" indicates a gradual decrease in size, importance, or quality.

could be minimized

"Minimized" suggests reducing something to the smallest possible amount.

could be curtailed

"Curtailed" implies a restriction or reduction, often suddenly.

could be alleviated

"Alleviated" suggests a reduction in pain, suffering, or severity.

could be mitigated

"Mitigated" implies making something less severe, serious, or painful.

could be dwindled

"Dwindled" suggests a gradual and continuous decrease.

could be shrunk

"Shrunk" suggests a reduction in size or quantity, often physically.

FAQs

How do I use "could be decreased" in a sentence?

Use "could be decreased" to indicate a possibility of reduction. For example, "The risk of infection "could be decreased" by proper hygiene."

What can I say instead of "could be decreased"?

You can use alternatives like "could be reduced", "could be lowered", or "could be lessened" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "could be decreased" or "could decrease"?

"Could be decreased" is passive, while "could decrease" is active. Use "could be decreased" when the focus is on what's being reduced; use "could decrease" when the focus is on who or what is doing the reducing.

What's the difference between "could be decreased" and "can be decreased"?

"Could be decreased" suggests a possibility or potential, while "can be decreased" implies a capability or ability. "Could" is more tentative, while "can" is more definitive.