decrease access

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'decrease access' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about reducing or limiting the access to something. For example, "The new security measures will help decrease access to the building."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

I don't want to decrease access.

The New York Times

To reduce gun violence, we can try to decrease access to guns (gun control).

Yale University

The A.M.A. said that the measure "would result in millions of Americans losing their health insurance coverage, destabilize health insurance markets, and decrease access to affordable coverage and care".

The New Yorker

If they can pass that test, he said, "I don't see that the reclassification would decrease access of psychiatric patients to this procedure".

The New York Times - Health

A good is rivalrous/subtractable when one person's use of that good can decrease access for others intending to use it.

Solar Energy Conversion Systems

For years, the strategy favored by conservative activists nationally has been to gradually decrease access to abortion by cutting government funding and imposing restrictions, such as requiring women to view ultrasound images before the procedure.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Although these behavioural decisions increase immediate survival, they could have potential costs such as decreased access to food and less probability to find mates, or lead to shift to possible less suitable habitats.

Plosone

This decrease was attributed to starvation due to decreased access to substrate (reduced accessible surface area) [ 29].

Biotechnology for Biofuels

Finally, socio-economic inequalities were found as having an influence on health care accessibility, with lower socioeconomic status predicating decreased access to the services.

BMC Public Health

Businesses across North America cannot easily grow with increased risk and uncertainty and decreased access to transportation.

The Guardian

This leads to higher prices and decreased access to television that should be free to watch.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "decrease access", consider the specific context and choose the most appropriate alternative if a more nuanced meaning is intended. For instance, "limit access" might be preferable when setting specific restrictions, while "reduce accessibility" focuses on overall ease of use.

Common error

Avoid using "decrease access" when a more specific term would be more accurate. Instead of saying "decrease access to information", consider specifying what kind of information and how the access is being reduced, such as "restrict access to classified documents" or "limit access to online databases".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decrease access" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "decrease" acts as a transitive verb, taking "access" as its direct object. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is used to describe reducing or limiting the ability to obtain something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

40%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decrease access" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies a reduction in the ability to obtain or use something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for describing situations where accessibility is being limited. Analysis of usage patterns reveals its common occurrence in diverse contexts, including news, scientific research, and academic discussions. Prominent sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ the phrase, indicating its widespread acceptance and utility. Alternatives like "reduce accessibility" and "limit access" offer nuanced options for specific situations, enhancing clarity and precision in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce accessibility

Focuses on making something less accessible.

limit access

Emphasizes setting a boundary or restriction on access.

restrict entry

Highlights preventing or limiting entry to a place or system.

curtail availability

Underscores reducing the amount available.

impair availability

Focuses on diminishing the degree to which something is obtainable.

lessen opportunity

Highlights diminishing the chance or possibility.

lower the availability

Emphasizes reducing the extent to which something is present or ready for immediate use.

weaken the ability to access

Focuses on reducing the power or capacity to gain entry.

hinder entrance

Highlights creating obstacles to entering a place or system.

obstruct the possibility to access

Emphasizes blocking the chance to enter or use something.

FAQs

How can I use "decrease access" in a sentence?

You can use "decrease access" to indicate a reduction in the ability to obtain or use something. For example, "The new policy will "decrease access" to healthcare services for undocumented immigrants".

What are some alternatives to saying "decrease access"?

Some alternatives include "reduce accessibility", "limit access", or "restrict entry" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "decrease access" or "reduce access"?

"Decrease access" and "reduce access" are often interchangeable, but "reduce access" may sound more natural in some contexts. Both phrases are grammatically correct and widely understood.

What's the difference between "decrease access" and "improve access"?

"Decrease access" means to make something less accessible, while "improve access" means to make something more accessible. They are antonyms, representing opposite actions regarding accessibility.