decrease consumption

USAGE SUMMARY

"decrease consumption" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when speaking about a reduction in the amount or use of something. For example, "In an effort to reduce global warming, we should encourage people to decrease consumption of energy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

It would decrease consumption not based on one's ability to pay but across the board.

The New York Times

Even where it has been shown to decrease consumption, obesity rates have stubbornly refused to fall.

The Times

Rather than decrease consumption people may have saved less.The falling saving rate is a worrying trend.

The Economist

These results indicate an association between a decrease consumption of energy and decrease swimming activity resulting from an environmental stress condition, independently of the neurotoxicity of the dyes.

Environmental Pollution

To review the published literature on the effectiveness of web-based interventions designed to decrease consumption of alcohol and/or prevent alcohol abuse.

Preventive Medicine

Economic studies have shown that C&T policies for electricity networks, while reducing emissions, will likely increase price and decrease consumption of electricity.

Applied Energy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Still, that didn't necessarily mean decreased consumption.

Stanford University

The fundamental challenge for behavior change business models is to find a way to drive revenue growth while encouraging decreased consumption.

The Guardian

Re "Enlightenment on Energy" (editorial, Oct. 22): The 1974 oil shocks led to the first fuel economy standards, resulting in both decreased consumption and imports.

The New York Times

Blocking insulin in the NAc shell also decreased consumption of a paired solution during one-bottle conditioning, whereas mock or control microinjections had no effect on consumption.

Nature

Traffic light labels increased consumption of "green" foods and decreased consumption of "red" foods.

Appetite

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about broad societal goals, use "decrease consumption" to highlight the need for reducing overall use of resources, for example, "To combat climate change, we must decrease consumption of fossil fuels."

Common error

Avoid using "decrease consumption" when a more specific term like "reduce waste" or "lower emissions" would be more accurate and impactful in conveying your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decrease consumption" functions as a verb + noun construction, where "decrease" acts as a verb modifying the noun "consumption". It is used to express the action of reducing the amount of something being used or consumed. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science & Research

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decrease consumption" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that effectively conveys the idea of reducing the use or intake of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate across various contexts, including scientific, news, and business discussions. Related phrases like "reduce usage" or "lower intake" offer similar meanings with slight nuances. When using this phrase, ensure that it aligns with the context and purpose of your writing, and avoid using it when a more specific term would be more impactful. The phrase's high frequency in authoritative sources underscores its validity and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce usage

This alternative focuses on the action of using something, similar to consumption, but may apply to a broader range of contexts.

bring down consumption

This is a more direct and forceful way of saying to reduce consumption, implying immediate action.

cut back on consumption

This alternative uses a phrasal verb to emphasize the act of reducing something gradually.

scale down consumption

Similar to 'cut back', this suggests a gradual reduction in the quantity consumed.

lower intake

Primarily used in the context of food or liquid, this suggests a reduction in what is taken in.

lessen the use

This is a more descriptive alternative emphasizing the act of making something used less often.

diminish utilization

This option uses more formal vocabulary, which might be suitable for academic or technical contexts.

curtail spending

This phrase specifically refers to reducing financial expenditure, narrowing the context to monetary resources.

moderate consumption

This alternative implies controlling the amount consumed rather than completely reducing it.

dwindle consumption

This option implies a gradual and natural decline in consumption over time.

FAQs

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

You can use "decrease consumption" to discuss the reduction of resources or goods used. For example, "The government is implementing policies to decrease consumption of single-use plastics."

What are some alternatives to "decrease consumption"?

Some alternatives include "reduce usage", "lower intake" (primarily for food/liquids), or "curtail spending" (for financial resources).

Is "decrease consumption" formal or informal?

"Decrease consumption" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and the audience. It is commonly used in news, scientific reports, and business documents.

How does increasing prices "decrease consumption"?

Economic theory suggests that increasing the price of a good or service typically leads to a decrease in the quantity demanded by consumers, thus decreasing overall consumption.