decrease the quantity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decrease the quantity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing reducing the amount of something, such as in business, inventory management, or resource allocation. Example: "To improve our efficiency, we need to decrease the quantity of materials we order each month."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Make water-intensive activities, such as washing laundry, more water-efficient (to decrease the quantity of water needed).

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Finally, it has been argued that legal enforcement either would decrease the quantity of donative promises, or would have little effect on the accuracy and reliability of such promises.

Harvard University

The use of ultrasound in the pretreatment process could significantly decrease the quantity and size of the micro-pores on the anodic films.

Surface and Coatings Technology

The ESEM imaging confirms that the use of ultra-fine fly ash can decrease the quantity of micro cracks in the MPC mortar.

Construction and Building Materials

High school level microeconomics tells us that a tax on cigarettes will fall more heavily on consumers than companies since the demand curve for cigarettes is inelastic (meaning that an increase in the price of cigarettes will not significantly decrease the quantity of cigarettes purchased).

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The performed research has shown that the unburned mullite wool waste is the active micro filler, however it does not decrease the quantity of portlandite formed, but performs a framing function.

Construction and Building Materials

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Higher prices resulting from taxation may decrease the quantities produced and sold.

Encyclopedia Britannica

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether a shared decision-making intervention decreases the quantity of oxycodone tablets prescribed after cesarean delivery.

Harvard University

That means that postdocs who join a large lab could risk slightly decreasing the quantity, although not necessarily the quality, of papers published by lab members — themselves included.

Nature

Citizens United's arguments that §311 is underinclusive because it requires disclaimers for broadcast advertisements but not for print or Internet advertising and that §311 decreases the quantity and effectiveness of the group's speech were rejected in McConnell.

Cornell University

Also, SMBS significantly decreased the quantity of starch disappearance in the proximal jejunum, or abruptly digestible starch, by 16.3% (245.6 versus 293.4 g bird−1; P<0.01).

Animal Feed Science and Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for conciseness, consider whether a more specific verb like "reduce", "lower", or "minimize" could replace the phrase "decrease the quantity".

Common error

Avoid using "decrease the quantity" when a simpler word like "reduce" would suffice. For instance, instead of "We need to decrease the quantity of paper we use", try "We need to reduce our paper usage".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decrease the quantity" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often acting as the predicate in a sentence. It expresses the action of reducing the amount or number of something. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

Academia

20%

News & Media

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decrease the quantity" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to express the action of reducing the amount or number of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and appropriate for use in written English. While it appears most frequently in scientific and academic contexts, it's also found in news and media. For clarity and conciseness, it is recommended that the writer replaces it with "reduce" in simple cases. When considering semantically related alternatives, "reduce the amount" offers the closest meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce the amount

Replaces "quantity" with the more general term "amount".

lower the volume

Focuses on reducing the bulk or size.

lessen the number

Specifically targets a reduction in count.

cut back on

Implies reducing consumption or expenditure.

minimize the intake

Suggests reducing consumption, particularly in a health or dietary context.

diminish the supply

Indicates a reduction in the available resources.

scale down the production

Focuses on reducing the output of a manufacturing process.

curtail the expenditure

Specifically relates to reducing spending or costs.

dwindle the stock

Suggests that something is gradually reducing.

abate the intensity

Implies reducing the strength or degree of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "decrease the quantity" to describe reducing the amount of something. For example: "The company aimed to decrease the quantity of waste produced".

What are some alternatives to "decrease the quantity"?

Some alternatives include "reduce the amount", "lower the volume", or "lessen the number".

Which is more appropriate: "decrease the quantity of" or "reduce the quantity of"?

Both "decrease the quantity of" and "reduce the quantity of" are correct, but "reduce" is often more concise and preferred in many contexts. In many cases, the term "reduce" is preferred.

What's the difference between "decrease the quantity" and "increase the quantity"?

"Decrease the quantity" means to make something less in amount, while "increase the quantity" means to make it more.