decrease the incidence of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decrease the incidence of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express the intention to reduce the frequency or occurrence of something, often in health or social issues. Example: "Our goal is to decrease the incidence of heart disease in the community through better education and lifestyle changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The advent of Gardasil will decrease the incidence of this cancer.

The New York Times

Does a surgical antireflux procedure decrease the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma in Barrett's esophagus?

Nature

Periprocedural hemodialysis did not decrease the incidence of RCIN.

American Journal of Kidney Diseases

Properly fitted mouthguards significantly decrease the incidence of orofacial tooth, jaw, and gingival trauma.

Harvard University

Objectively speaking, meditation has been shown to decrease the incidence of heart attacks and strokes and increase longevity.

The New York Times - Magazine

Airlines and airport managers aim to decrease the incidence of missing bags by using radio frequency identification chips.

The New York Times

Legislation that can change this thin-ideal saturated environment has a high potential to decrease the incidence of disordered eating behaviours.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Research has found that the screenings appear to decrease the incidence of colon cancer and improve outcomes for patients who get it.

The New York Times - Health

It might decrease the incidence of some forms of malignancy while hugely increasing the numbers of healthy people under medical treatment.

The New Yorker

"It does not," he says, "result in an increase in drug abuse, and it does decrease the incidence of HIV...

The Washington Post

Lithium may decrease the incidence of some neurological disorders such as seizures, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and dementia NOS, as well as myocardial infarction (Prosser and Fieve, 2016).

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to convey statistical improvements or public health goals, use "decrease the incidence of" to clearly indicate a reduction in new cases or occurrences of a specific event. For example, "Implementing preventive measures can decrease the incidence of the flu in schools."

Common error

While "decrease the incidence of" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. In informal settings, consider using simpler alternatives like "reduce the number of" or "cut down on" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decrease the incidence of" functions as a verb phrase expressing the action of reducing the frequency or occurrence of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is commonly used in formal and scientific contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

28%

Academia

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decrease the incidence of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that expresses the action of reducing the rate at which something occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is most common in scientific, news, and academic contexts. While it's appropriate for formal writing, simpler alternatives may be preferable in informal settings. Effective usage involves understanding the specific context and choosing the most precise language to convey the intended meaning. Related phrases such as "reduce the occurrence of" or "minimize the risk of" offer alternative ways to express similar concepts. Key to avoiding misuse is recognizing its formal tone and adapting the phrasing to suit different audiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce the occurrence of

Focuses on the event or instance, rather than the rate at which it happens.

lower the rate of

Emphasizes the numerical proportion of events within a specific timeframe or population.

minimize the risk of

Shifts the focus to the potential harm or danger associated with an event.

curtail the spread of

Highlights the action of limiting the expansion or dissemination of something, often used with diseases or information.

mitigate the impact of

Addresses the severity or consequences of an event, aiming to lessen its negative effects.

alleviate the prevalence of

Targets the widespread existence of something, with an emphasis on providing relief.

suppress the outbreak of

Specifically relates to preventing the sudden or rapid emergence of something, such as a disease.

inhibit the formation of

Used when discussing the prevention of something being created or developed.

dampen the effect of

Implies a weakening or lessening of the influence or outcome of an event.

restrain the growth of

Focuses on limiting the increase or expansion of something over time.

FAQs

How can I use "decrease the incidence of" in a sentence?

You can use "decrease the incidence of" to describe efforts to reduce the occurrence of something, especially diseases or negative events. For example, "Vaccination programs aim to "decrease the incidence of" measles."

What are some alternatives to "decrease the incidence of"?

Alternatives include "reduce the occurrence of", "lower the rate of", or "minimize the risk of", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "decrease the incidence of" or "reduce the incidence of"?

Both "decrease the incidence of" and "reduce the incidence of" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific tone you want to convey. "Reduce" might be perceived as slightly more common and straightforward.

In what contexts is "decrease the incidence of" most appropriate?

"Decrease the incidence of" is particularly suitable in formal, scientific, or medical contexts where precise language is important. It's often used when discussing public health, disease prevention, and statistical trends.