decrease with time

USAGE SUMMARY

"decrease with time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a trend, one that decreases over a period of time. For example, "The number of people visiting the library has decreased with time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Our ability to know about the universe will decrease with time," said Dr. Krauss.

The New York Times - Science

Later, both soot and soot radiation decrease with time.

Combustion and Flame

The heel may slip up and down a little at first, but the slippage should decrease with time.

The New York Times

In those sectors, there are high up-front production costs, but they decrease with time as output increases.

Nature

For the fourth climate model, damages decrease with time, but the signal is weak.

The New York Times

The differences in MFCs electrochemical behavior tended to decrease with time.

Electrochimica Acta

In the topsoil, the total stocks of P showed a slight decrease with time.

Geoderma

"The arrhythmias were seen in a previous similar study, but in neither study did they prove fatal and both suggested that they would decrease with time.

The Guardian

Mutumbara has never responded to these allegations, but the bad news for Mujuru is that such exposure is set to increase rather than decrease with time.

The Guardian

The rate of growth of the germs was found to decrease with time of reaction.

Chemical Engineering Science

When exploiting any gas reservoir, the flow rate and the average reservoir pressure decrease with time.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends or processes that naturally decrease over time, use "decrease with time" to clearly communicate the direction of the change. For example, "The effectiveness of the medication tends to decrease with time".

Common error

Be careful not to use "decrease with time" if the trend fluctuates or increases at certain points. Instead, use phrases like "vary over time" or "change over time" to indicate a less predictable pattern.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decrease with time" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb or clause, indicating when or how something is decreasing. Ludwig AI confirms its validity by providing numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

76%

News & Media

15%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Unknown/unmatched sources

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "decrease with time" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression that is used to describe the reduction or diminishing of something as time progresses. As Ludwig AI shows, the phrase is commonly employed in scientific, news, and academic contexts to explain trends and changes over a period. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for a broad audience, and while alternatives such as "decline over time" or "diminish with time" exist, "decrease with time" remains a clear and effective way to communicate the concept of something lessening over time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decline over time

Replaces "decrease" with "decline", emphasizing a gradual reduction.

diminish with the passage of time

Adds a more descriptive element by specifying "the passage of time" and using "diminish" for a softer reduction.

lessen as time goes on

Uses a more informal tone with "lessen" and "as time goes on".

wane over a period

Employs "wane" for a gradual fading and "over a period" to indicate duration.

fade with increasing time

Focuses on a gradual disappearance, using "fade" and emphasizing "increasing time".

reduce through the years

Highlights a reduction over a longer duration using "through the years".

drop off as time advances

Emphasizes a falling off or decline with "drop off" and "as time advances".

ebb with the flow of time

Uses a metaphorical approach with "ebb", suggesting a receding like a tide.

attenuate over the long term

Replaces the verb with attenuate meaning 'to reduce the force, effect, or value of'.

subside as time elapses

Implies a calming down or settling with "subside" and "as time elapses" for a more formal tone.

FAQs

How can I use "decrease with time" in a sentence?

You can use "decrease with time" to describe situations where something diminishes or lessens as time progresses. For example, "The signal strength will "decrease with time" as the battery discharges."

What are some alternatives to "decrease with time"?

Some alternatives include "decline over time", "diminish with time", or "lessen over time", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "decrease with time"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase is commonly used and understood to mean that something is reducing or diminishing as time passes.

What's the difference between "decrease with time" and "decrease over time"?

While both phrases are similar, "decrease with time" emphasizes the simultaneous occurrence of decreasing and the passage of time, whereas "decrease over time" simply indicates that the decrease happens during a period. In many contexts, they are interchangeable.