decrease the speed

USAGE SUMMARY

"decrease the speed" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate a reduction in speed or velocity. Example: "The driver gradually decreased the speed of the car as they approached the sharp turn."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

When you increase or decrease the speed of your walking or running, various physiological changes occur; the amount of oxygen in your blood rises or falls, for instance, because your muscles start requiring more or less of the stuff.

The New York Times

Therefore, one possibility to match the case of augmented delay is to decrease the speed of sound.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Gap acceptances influential for operational of U-turn, where the vehicle while performing maneuvers will decrease the speed of vehicles.

Procedia Engineering

First, more vehicles may increase the density of traffic flow and road congestion can decrease the speed of vehicle movement and reduce severity of crashes.

Injury Epidemiology

Simulation results demonstrate that the protocol can efficiently decrease the speed of the nodes death, prolong the network lifetime, and balance the energy dissipation of all nodes.

Journal of Network and Computer Applications

The results of the analytical study show that the fluid-structure interactions will decrease the speed of sound in the LLE.

Fusion Engineering and Design

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Brake, device for decreasing the speed of a body or for stopping its motion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It adds: "According to CEOP, Tor is less popular among offenders because it decreases the speed at which images can be downloaded".

The Guardian - Tech

While brain atrophy increases the risk of developing a subdural hematoma, it also decreases the speed and severity of the related symptoms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If the load on the engine decreases, the speed will increase, the balls M will move out, and the member C will slide up the vertical spindle and reduce the steam admitted to the engine, thus reducing the speed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The memory wall or Von Neumann memory bottleneck decreases the speed of computation in conventional digital platforms.

Biologically Inspired Cognitive Architectures

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to operate machinery or drive a vehicle, use "decrease the speed" for clarity and precision. For example: "To safely navigate the curve, decrease the speed of the car."

Common error

Avoid using "lose speed" when you mean to actively reduce it. "Lose speed" often implies an unintentional or passive reduction, whereas "decrease the speed" suggests a deliberate action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decrease the speed" functions as a directive or instruction, commonly used to advise or command a reduction in velocity. Ludwig AI confirms its valid and common usage in the English language.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

Wiki

28%

News & Media

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decrease the speed" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that effectively conveys the action of reducing velocity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears across various contexts, from scientific literature to everyday instructions. Remember to use it when you want to instruct a deliberate reduction in speed, and be mindful of the subtle difference between it and similar phrases like "lose speed". By following these guidelines, you can confidently use the phrase "decrease the speed" in your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce the velocity

This alternative is a more formal way of saying the same thing, using 'velocity' instead of 'speed'.

slow down

This alternative is a more common and general way to express the idea of reducing speed.

decelerate

This alternative is a more technical term for reducing speed, often used in the context of vehicles.

lessen the pace

This alternative is more metaphorical, referring to the rate of activity or progress.

diminish the rate

This alternative is a more formal and less common way of saying the same thing.

curtail the tempo

This alternative is suitable when discussing music or rhythmic activities.

moderate the swiftness

This option emphasizes controlling or regulating quickness.

retard the progress

This emphasizes slowing down advancement, often implying a hindrance.

ease off

This is an informal way of suggesting a reduction in speed or intensity.

bring to a halt

This phrase implies stopping completely, going beyond just decreasing speed.

FAQs

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

You can use "decrease the speed" in sentences where you want to express a reduction in velocity. For example: "The driver had to decrease the speed due to the heavy rain" or "To improve fuel efficiency, gradually decrease the speed of your vehicle."

What are some alternatives to "decrease the speed"?

Some alternatives to "decrease the speed" include "reduce the velocity", "slow down", or "decelerate". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it more appropriate to say "decrease the speed" or "reduce the speed"?

"Decrease the speed" and "reduce the speed" are largely interchangeable. "Reduce" is perhaps slightly more common in general usage, but both are grammatically correct and widely understood.

What's the difference between "decrease the speed" and "maintain the speed"?

"Decrease the speed" indicates a reduction in velocity, while "maintain the speed" means keeping the velocity constant. They are opposite actions related to controlling motion.