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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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decreased sick

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decreased sick" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe a reduction in illness or sickness, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The new health measures have led to a decreased sick rate among employees."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The return on investment would be present in terms of decreased sick leave, stress leave, etc. quite rapidly.

The Soviet Union made the exercise break mandatory at many fac tories and offices, and claims it has increased productivity and decreased sick days.

News & Media

The New York Times

A recent paper has highlighted four areas of benefit to patients from high-dose HD: 1. improved physical and mental wellbeing, 2. increased control over their life, 3. decreased sick role (including return to regular employment) and 4. identification of competencies to undertake self-care [ 31].

However, with the introduction of the combined therapy and biologics, we have seen positive results, not only in the clinical aspect but also in the indirect costs that are reflected in decreased hospital days, decreased sick leave, and therefore, decrease of absenteeism, with increased employment of patients, both men and women [ 28, 29].

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

A coping factor seem to be present, most likely dependent on education, associated with work situation and/or work posture, which decreases sick leave.

A coping factor in pregnant women with PGP was discovered, most likely dependant on education, associated with work situation and/or work posture, which decreases sick leave.

Further investigation is warranted to identify patterns of physical activity as another Australian study identified the key role of leisure time physical activity in relation to decreasing sick leave [ 37].

Swedish studies have shown that workplace exercise boosts productivity and decreases sick leave, so many modern companies have started office gyms or incentives for weight loss.

Two earlier studies [ 7, 14] found that graded activity in multidisciplinary contexts decreases sick-listing.

A recent large study indicated that moderate alcohol consumption tended to decrease sick-listing for NSP, at least among women in the public sector [ 36].

As of 2011, the country's health scheme cost just $80 per person annually, primarily funded by general income tax; it effectively reduced infant mortality, decreased worker sick days and lightened families' financial burden for healthcare.

News & Media

The Guardian
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "decreased sick" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and grammatically correct alternatives such as "reduced sickness" or "fewer sick days".

Common error

Don't follow the pattern of directly modifying "sick" with "decreased". It's more appropriate to use "decreased" with nouns like "sick leave", "illness rates", or "morbidity".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

2.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decreased sick" functions as an adjective-noun combination where "decreased" attempts to modify "sick". However, as noted by Ludwig AI, this phrasing is not grammatically sound. It tries to describe a reduction in the state of being sick, but it's awkward and unclear.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "decreased sick" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. Although Ludwig provides examples where it appears, these instances are often in contexts where the meaning is clear despite the poor phrasing. Ludwig AI highlights that it is not correct and unclear, suggesting alternatives like "reduced sickness" or "fewer sick days" for better clarity and grammatical accuracy. The primary contexts where this phrase might (incorrectly) appear are Science, News & Media, and Formal & Business publications. Opting for grammatically sound alternatives enhances the professionalism and clarity of your writing.

FAQs

What's grammatically wrong with "decreased sick"?

The phrase "decreased sick" is not grammatically correct because "decreased" typically modifies nouns, not adjectives. It would be more appropriate to say "reduced sickness" or use a phrase like "fewer sick days".

How can I use "decreased sick" correctly in a sentence?

It's best to avoid using "decreased sick" and instead rephrase your sentence for clarity. For example, instead of "The project led to "decreased sick" among employees", say "The project led to "reduced sickness" among employees".

What are some professional alternatives to "decreased sick"?

In a professional context, consider using phrases like "lower morbidity rates", "reduced sick leave", or "improved employee health".

Is "decreased sick" ever appropriate to use?

While technically incorrect, "decreased sick" might be understood in informal conversation. However, it is always better to use more precise and grammatically correct alternatives, especially in formal writing or professional communication.

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Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

2.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: