decrease the volume

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decrease the volume" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when instructing someone to lower the sound level of a device, such as a speaker or television. Example: "Could you please decrease the volume? It's too loud for me to concentrate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

A vertical finger swipe will increase or decrease the volume, and a horizontal swipe changes the track.

The New York Times

In this case, it is said that the nitrogen gas has been condensed into a liquid, the word condense meaning "to make dense"—i.e., to decrease the volume.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By directing a beam of light at four photo cells, one at each corner of the screen, the viewer could change channels up or down, and increase or decrease the volume.

The New York Times

The direction of the magnetic force can be deduced in many situations by studying distribution of the magnetic field lines; motion is favoured in the direction that tends to decrease the volume of space where the magnetic field is strong.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Similarly, we should not give our anger free rein unless we know how to increase and decrease the volume when it's needed and, in some cases, shut it up in a box for a while to cool down.

Independent

Depending upon the action on stage and placement of the singers, the engineers had to turn up or decrease the volume of the respective microphones to "reduce any ambient noise," Ms. Row writes, and to get balances right.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Cooling decreases the volume of air to be handled and, with it, the compression work required.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Control is limited to turning the thing on and off, or increasing or decreasing the volume.

TechCrunch

The hydrostatic pressure decreases the volume of the foam only slightly.

Acta Materialia

The CHM approach significantly decreases the volume of the data at the expense of loss of information provided.

Carbon Balance and Management

The presence of CO/H2 pressure increased the mixture critical points and decreased the volume expansion at any given pressure.

The Journal of Supercritical Fluids

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to adjust the sound, specify the device (e.g., "decrease the volume on the TV") for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "decrease the volume" when "mute" or "silence" is more appropriate, especially in situations where all sound should be eliminated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decrease the volume" functions as an imperative, typically used to request or instruct someone to lower the sound level. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decrease the volume" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that serves as an imperative, instructing or requesting someone to lower the sound intensity. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across diverse contexts, from everyday conversations to technical manuals. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for various settings, as supported by examples from news media, scientific publications, and wikis. While alternatives like "turn down the volume" and "lower the sound" offer more informal options, "decrease the volume" remains a clear and widely understood way to ask for a reduction in sound.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lower the sound

Replaces "volume" with "sound" and "decrease" with "lower", offering a more casual tone.

turn down the volume

Uses a phrasal verb instead of "decrease", creating a more conversational style.

reduce the volume level

Adds "level" for clarity, slightly more formal than the original.

attenuate the sound

Employs a more technical term, "attenuate", suitable for scientific or engineering contexts.

diminish the sound output

Uses more formal synonyms for "decrease" and "volume", resulting in a more sophisticated tone.

mute the audio

Suggests eliminating sound completely, instead of decreasing it. Suits situations when complete silence is needed.

quieten the noise

Shifts focus to "noise" instead of "volume", implying an unwanted sound.

make it quieter

A more general and less technical way of asking for the sound to be reduced.

soften the sound

Implies a gentler reduction in volume, focusing on the quality of the sound.

curtail the loudness

Uses more formal synonyms creating a sophisticated tone. Slightly changes the original expression and is suited for a more technical or scientific context.

FAQs

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

You can use "decrease the volume" when you want someone to reduce the sound level. For example, "Could you please "decrease the volume"? It's too loud."

What's a less formal way to say "decrease the volume"?

Informal alternatives include "turn down the volume" or "lower the sound".

Is it better to say "reduce the volume" or "decrease the volume"?

Both "reduce the volume" and "decrease the volume" are correct and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on personal preference, although "reduce" might sound slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "decrease the volume" and "mute the sound"?

"Decrease the volume" implies reducing the sound level, while "mute the sound" means turning the sound off completely.