decrease the cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decrease the cost" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing ways to reduce expenses or financial burdens in various contexts, such as business, budgeting, or project management. Example: "Our goal this quarter is to decrease the cost of production without compromising quality."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There are ways to decrease the cost of a Powerline setup.

The New York Times - Tech

Oil industry experts said that the increase was probably not enough to significantly decrease the cost of crude oil.

The New York Times

This will decrease the cost of adding renewables to the grid and allow the share of renewables to grow.

The Guardian

Ms. White notes that changing average vehicle size could, in principle, increase or decrease the cost of accidents.

The New York Times

The deal will also complicate United's long effort to improve its credit to "investment grade" and then be able to decrease the cost it pays to borrow money.

The New York Times

The company also wants to eventually decrease the cost of space launches by enough to put projects like building a colony on Mars within reach.

The Guardian

"As we look to technology to both improve the quality of life and also decrease the cost of health care, vaccines fit that desire perfectly".

The New York Times

Not only do the advanced technologies eliminate the problems with having troops die on foreign soil, but they also greatly decrease the cost of weapons.

The New York Times

Of all the criticisms of the 2003 Iraq war, the idea that it was done to somehow magically decrease the cost of oil is the least credible.

The New York Times

Harmonization, which aims to make regulations and guidelines more uniform, theoretically can decrease the cost of new drugs by decreasing the cost of development and regulatory approval.

Encyclopedia Britannica

First, it would decrease the cost of the injected solvent.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to "decrease the cost" of a project, consider breaking down expenses into smaller categories to identify areas where savings can be made more effectively. This targeted approach often yields better results than broad, sweeping cuts.

Common error

Avoid sacrificing quality or essential features in an attempt to "decrease the cost". Ensure that cost-cutting measures don't negatively impact the overall value or effectiveness of the product or service.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decrease the cost" functions primarily as a verb phrase expressing the action of reducing expenses or financial burdens. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this usage is correct and common across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "decrease the cost" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating the reduction of expenses. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its versatility allows application across diverse fields, including science, news, and business. While alternatives like "reduce expenditure" or "cut costs" exist, "decrease the cost" maintains a generally neutral tone suitable for various professional and academic contexts. When using this phrase, it's crucial to consider the potential impact of cost-cutting measures on quality and value, ensuring that savings don't compromise the overall effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce expenditure

Replaces "cost" with the more formal "expenditure", suitable for business or academic contexts.

lower expenses

Uses the synonym "expenses" and the verb "lower" for a slightly less formal tone.

cut costs

A more direct and concise way to say "decrease the cost", often used in business settings.

minimize outlay

Employs more technical vocabulary, replacing "decrease" with "minimize" and "cost" with "outlay".

economize spending

Focuses on the act of economizing, implying a careful management of resources.

trim budget

A more casual expression suggesting a reduction in the budget.

bring down the price

Focuses specifically on reducing the price, suitable when discussing product pricing.

drive down expenses

Emphasizes the active effort to reduce expenses.

mitigate financial burden

Shifts focus to easing the financial burden, a more formal and empathetic expression.

optimize resource allocation

Implies a more strategic approach to cost reduction by optimizing how resources are used.

FAQs

How can I use "decrease the cost" in a sentence?

You can use "decrease the cost" to describe actions taken to reduce expenses. For example, "We implemented new strategies to "decrease the cost" of production."

What are some alternatives to saying "decrease the cost"?

Alternatives include "reduce expenditure", "lower expenses", or "cut costs", depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "decrease the cost" or "reduce the cost"?

"Decrease the cost" and "reduce the cost" are largely interchangeable. However, "reduce" might be slightly more common in everyday conversation, while "decrease" can sound more formal. Both are correct.

What is the difference between "decrease the cost" and "improve efficiency"?

"Decrease the cost" directly addresses reducing expenses. "Improve efficiency", on the other hand, aims to optimize processes or resource usage, which can indirectly "decrease the cost" by minimizing waste or maximizing output.