decreased a bit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decreased a bit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small reduction in quantity, size, or intensity. Example: "The temperature has decreased a bit since last night, making it more comfortable outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

In those who watched a documentary, though, artery function decreased a bit.

Harvard University

Overall for 2014, that was 0.5% of the total federal budget, so NASA's overall share of the United States budget has decreased a bit.

Cornell University

The world is heating up, and there are no "credible natural explanations for this amount of warming". U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions have decreased a bit lately.

The Washington Post

Rents for commercial space have begun to rise as the vacancy rate has decreased a bit on Long Island, according to a report on the second quarter by Cushman & Wakefield, the brokerage and services company.

The New York Times

Indeed, solar activity has decreased a bit over that timeframe (Figure 2). Figure 2: Global temperature (red, NASA GISS) and Total solar irradiance (blue, 1880 to 1978 from Solanki, 1979 to 2009 from PMOD), with 11-year running averages.

The Guardian

He said even if valuations decreased a bit, any downturn would be cushioned by the large number of investors coming from America, and because many of China's biggest tech stocks like Alibaba were listed on American stock exchanges.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

It is observed that while the performance objectives decrease a bit, the desirability of the design point is still retained.

Precision Engineering

Preliminary testimonies by NY wheat producers indicate average yields so far in 2014 as of July 24th so final yield estimates may decrease a bit.

Cornell University

It usually appears in the first three years, and while its symptoms may decrease a bit as children grow into adults, they never completely disappear.

The New York Times - Science

However, the gap between the former and the latter decreases a bit as the control/prediction interval increases.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

It would not surprise me that these lead-times stay the same or only decrease a bit until China iPhone 6 availability is announced, they start shipping and Apple gets a feeling for how well supply and demand are matching up.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decreased a bit" to describe a small or barely noticeable reduction. It adds a touch of understatement suitable for informal or neutral contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "decreased a bit" excessively in formal or scientific writing where more precise quantitative descriptions might be more appropriate. Consider specifying the exact percentage or amount of the decrease for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decreased a bit" functions as a modifier indicating a slight reduction or decline. It provides a qualitative assessment of the change, implying it is not substantial. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is usable in written English to describe small reductions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

40%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decreased a bit" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a slight reduction. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, leaning towards neutral and informal writing. While it appears in reputable sources, more precise language may be necessary for formal or scientific contexts. The phrase's function is to indicate a minor change without emphasizing a significant impact. Alternatives such as "slightly decreased" or "reduced a little" can provide similar meanings with subtle variations in tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Slightly decreased

Changes the structure by using an adverb modifying "decreased" directly, focusing on the degree of reduction.

Diminished slightly

Replaces "decreased" with "diminished" and "a bit" with "slightly", altering the vocabulary while retaining the meaning.

Reduced a little

Substitutes "decreased" with "reduced" and "a bit" with "a little", offering a more casual tone.

Fell off slightly

Uses the phrasal verb "fell off" instead of "decreased", implying a decline from a previous level.

Eased off a tad

Employs informal language, using "eased off" to convey a gentle decrease and "a tad" to indicate a small amount.

Marginally lessened

Replaces "decreased" with "lessened" and uses "marginally" to emphasize the slight nature of the reduction.

Dropped incrementally

Suggests a gradual decrease by using "dropped incrementally" instead of "decreased a bit".

Subsided somewhat

Replaces "decreased" with "subsided" and "a bit" with "somewhat", indicating a calming or weakening effect.

Declined marginally

Uses "declined" instead of "decreased" and "marginally" to underscore the small change.

Receded slightly

Offers a more formal alternative, using "receded" to imply a drawing back or reduction.

FAQs

What does "decreased a bit" mean?

The phrase "decreased a bit" signifies a slight or minor reduction in something, implying the change isn't substantial.

What can I say instead of "decreased a bit"?

You can use alternatives like "slightly decreased", "reduced a little", or "diminished slightly" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "decreased a bit" in writing?

It's suitable for neutral to informal writing where precise measurements are not crucial. In formal or scientific contexts, more specific language is often preferred.

Is there a difference between "decreased a bit" and "decreased a lot"?

Yes, "decreased a bit" indicates a small reduction, whereas "decreased a lot" implies a significant or substantial reduction. The choice depends on the magnitude of the change you're describing.