decreased

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decreased" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a reduction in quantity, size, or intensity. Example: "The company's profits decreased significantly over the last quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And I'm very happy the petroleum revenue tax has decreased".

The Guardian

Thanks to the president's initiatives, the number of terrorist acts inside Russia has decreased dramatically".

The Guardian

Ndiaga Seck, associate information officer with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), in the North Kivu provincial capital of Goma, said LRA attacks have decreased since December's massacre in Makombo, but people were still living with host families, unwilling to return home.

The Guardian

Stocks decreased, prices rose and the purchasing power of people decreased as income-generating activities were affected by the outbreak.

The Guardian

But, despite the hardships and the imminent threat of camp closure, the number of returnees has recently decreased dramatically.

The Guardian

In New York, the entire winter has been filled with weather advisories, along with freezing rain, decreased blood circulation, sleet, swipes right, unused gym memberships, compromised public transportation infrastructure, depression, lassitude, lonely gloves, too much binge-watching, opportunistic slush of a certain sentience and the first 2,000 words of novels in various states of abandonment.

The Guardian - Opinion

According to figures from the Chilean Institute of Reproductive Medicine, the number of women entering hospitals between 1990-2000 as a result of complications from attempted abortions decreased from 36 to 29 per 100,000 women.

The Guardian

For the first time in 29 years the number of international students enrolling in England's universities decreased.

The Guardian

Related: Turkish election outcome is blow to Erdoğan and breakthrough for Kurds The vote was the first time in four general elections that support for Erdoğan decreased.

The Guardian

We were also able to see at last that the cost of sales was £9m lower during the year, as a result of decreased costs for newsprint, ink and plates due to lower print circulation volumes.

The Guardian

It said in its submissions: Pregnant women on Nauru have deliberately decreased their water intake, posing risks due to high temperatures on the island.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "decreased", ensure you specify what is decreasing and, if relevant, the extent or rate of the decrease for clarity. For example, "The number of errors decreased significantly after the new system was implemented."

Common error

Avoid using "decreased" with uncountable nouns that are better suited to words like "less" or "reduced". For example, instead of saying "The amount of informations decreased", say "The amount of information decreased".

Linguistic Context

The word "decreased" functions primarily as a verb in the past tense or as a past participle, indicating that something has been reduced in quantity, size, or intensity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to describe a reduction or decline.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

29%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decreased" is a verb typically used to indicate a reduction or decline in something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in English writing. It is frequently found in news media, business documents, and scientific reports. While alternatives like "reduced", "declined", and "diminished" offer similar meanings, "decreased" provides a neutral and widely accepted way to communicate a lessening in quantity, size, or intensity. It's important to use this verb carefully with countable versus uncountable nouns to assure correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Reduced

A direct synonym, implying a lessening in amount, size, or degree.

Diminished

Indicates a gradual reduction, often suggesting a loss in importance or quality.

Declined

Suggests a downward trend or deterioration, often used in formal contexts.

Fallen

Implies a sudden or significant drop.

Lessen

Indicates a reduction in something abstract, such as pain or worry.

Subsided

Suggests a calming down or reduction in intensity, often used for natural phenomena or emotions.

Eased

Implies a gradual reduction in severity or pressure.

Waned

Indicates a decline in power, influence, or visibility.

Dwindled

Suggests a gradual and continuous reduction until little remains.

Contracted

Implies a shrinking or reduction in size or scope.

FAQs

How to use "decreased" in a sentence?

"Decreased" indicates a reduction in size, number, or intensity. For example: "After the intervention, the infection rate "decreased" significantly."

What can I say instead of "decreased"?

You can use alternatives like "reduced", "declined", or "diminished" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "the amount decreased" or "the amount was decreased"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "the amount decreased" is simpler and more direct. "The amount was decreased" implies an external force caused the reduction.

What's the difference between "decreased" and "reduced"?

While often interchangeable, ""decreased"" generally refers to a natural or gradual decline, whereas "reduced" often implies an intentional action to make something smaller or less.