decrease the frequency

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decrease the frequency" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the reduction of how often something occurs, such as events, signals, or activities. Example: "To improve the overall performance of the system, we need to decrease the frequency of updates."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This would decrease the frequency of deliveries and the chances that the materials could fall into the wrong hands.

MIT Technology Review

They say it also seems to have helped decrease the frequency of attacks with explosively formed penetrators, a powerful type of bomb that can pierce heavy armor.

The New York Times

So I stopped, or vowed to, at first managing only to decrease the frequency of my purges, but soon abandoning them altogether.

The New York Times - Magazine

One objective is rather easy to achieve: decrease the frequency and the length of meetings.

The Economist

To decrease the frequency of refueling, the researchers at MIT and Masdar are investigating ways to get more energy out of a given amount of fuel.

MIT Technology Review

The wetlands were also found to decrease the frequency of high peak flows.

Ecological Engineering

To determine whether use of intraoperative neuraxial anesthesia would decrease the frequency of ICU admission postoperatively in orthopedic patients.

Journal of Clinical Anesthesia

However, we find that contingent fee caps decrease the frequency of screening even if the cap is non-binding.

International Review of Law and Economics

It may even decrease the frequency of medical errors by encouraging development of inherently safer medical equipment, techniques, and procedures.

Process Safety and Environmental Protection

As well as the physical and mental gains from returning to a healthy weight, research has shown that taking part in sport can decrease the frequency of negative, self-stimulating behaviours common among people with autism, such as body rocking or head nodding.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But it might decrease the frequency of recurrent episodes, according to Katz.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to improve a process or system, use "decrease the frequency" to denote reducing the number of occurrences. For instance, "To enhance customer satisfaction, we aim to decrease the frequency of service disruptions."

Common error

Avoid using "decrease the frequency" when you actually want to convey reducing the intensity or impact of something. Instead of saying "We want to decrease the frequency of the pain", if you mean reducing pain intensity, say, "We aim to alleviate the pain's severity."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decrease the frequency" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the action of reducing how often something occurs. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decrease the frequency" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase to indicate reducing how often something occurs. Ludwig AI's analysis reveals its prevalence across science, news, and business contexts, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal register. Alternative phrases like "reduce the incidence" or "lessen the rate" offer similar meanings with subtle differences. When using this phrase, ensure you're accurately conveying the intent to reduce the number of occurrences rather than the intensity or severity. With its widespread acceptance and clear meaning, "decrease the frequency" remains a valuable and effective expression in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce the incidence

Focuses on lowering the rate at which something occurs, often used in statistical or medical contexts. Highlights the number of times something happens, rather than how often.

lessen the rate

Emphasizes making the speed or pace of something slower or reduced. Highlights the change in pace, with the final number of occurrence not being as relevant.

lower the recurrence

Implies reducing the chances of something happening again, often used for events that repeat over time. Suggests a reduction in repetition

minimize the repetition

Highlights the action of reducing something to the smallest possible amount. Changes the focus to the effort of making the rate as low as possible

curtail the periodicity

Indicates shortening or restricting something that occurs at regular intervals, often used in technical contexts. Has a more formal and technical tone and indicates a regular pattern

abate the recurrence

Highlights the subsiding or reduction of a recurring event or issue. Conveys a sense of something becoming less intense or severe over time

mitigate the incidence

Focuses on alleviating or lessening the impact or occurrence of something, often used in risk management. Highlights the mitigation of a harmful or negative event.

dwindle the rate

Implies a gradual reduction or decrease in the speed or occurrence of something. Suggests a continuous reduction over a period of time

decelerate the pace

Indicates slowing down the speed or rhythm at which something happens. Emphasizes a reduction in speed over a specific time period

temper the regularity

Focuses on moderating or restraining the consistent pattern of something. Suggests making a regular occurrence less predictable or consistent

FAQs

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

You can use "decrease the frequency" to indicate a reduction in how often something happens. For example, "Taking medication can "decrease the frequency" of migraine attacks."

What's a formal alternative to "decrease the frequency"?

A more formal alternative is "reduce the incidence". For example, "Implementing new safety protocols aims to "reduce the incidence" of workplace accidents".

Is it better to say "decrease the frequency" or "lower the frequency"?

"Decrease the frequency" and "lower the frequency" are largely interchangeable. "Decrease" might sound slightly more formal, while "lower" is more colloquial. Both are correct.

What is the difference between "decrease the frequency" and "reduce the rate"?

While similar, "decrease the frequency" typically refers to reducing how often something occurs, while "reduce the rate" often emphasizes the speed or pace at which something happens. For many situations, they can be used interchangeably.