decreased somewhat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decreased somewhat" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a reduction in quantity or degree, but not to a significant extent. Example: "The temperature has decreased somewhat since last night, making it more comfortable outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

While H.M.O.'s still tend to be the least expensive option, that advantage has decreased somewhat, as co-payments have increased.

The New York Times

Mehmood Shah, director of security in Pakistan's tribal areas, said that firing from the militants decreased somewhat on Friday, but suggested that they could be simply conserving ammunition.

The New York Times

The hostility has decreased somewhat in recent years with the election of the moderate government of President Mohammad Khatami, even as counterterrorism officials have repeatedly said that Iran had a significant role in the Khobar Towers attack.

The New York Times

That tension has decreased somewhat as media companies have met with Silicon Valley executives over how to solve the problem to everyone's satisfaction.

The New York Times

During that same period the populations of the larger metropolitan areas, especially Greater London and Merseyside, decreased somewhat as people moved to distant outlying suburbs and rural areas.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Subsidies decreased somewhat from the early 1990s until 1997.

Forbes

Rupture occurred in the weld metal, and strength and elongation decreased somewhat.

Journal of Nuclear Materials

Challenging behavior decreased somewhat as teachers' use of descriptive praise increased.

Early Childhood Research Quarterly

Those margins have decreased somewhat, what subscriber acquisition costs have also dropped from $47 to just $30 per new member.

TechCrunch

The sizes of the PVC microcrystallites were decreased somewhat by mixing with NBR.

Polymer

The 3′-sense strand peptide siRNA conjugate (VII) maintained good gene silencing activity, while that of the 3′-antisense strand conjugate decreased somewhat.

Chinese Chemical Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decreased somewhat" when you want to indicate a reduction that is noticeable but not dramatic. It's suitable when precision is not critical, and a general sense of direction is sufficient.

Common error

Avoid using "decreased somewhat" when the reduction is substantial. Using it inappropriately can mislead the reader into thinking the change was minor when it was, in fact, significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decreased somewhat" functions as an adverbial modifier. It qualifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb by indicating the degree to which something has decreased. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is a valid and usable expression in English, suggesting a moderate level of decrease.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

59%

News & Media

29%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "decreased somewhat" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a moderate reduction. Ludwig AI validates its usability, and the examples show its broad applicability across diverse contexts, particularly in science and news media. While perfectly acceptable, writers should be mindful of the magnitude of the decrease they are describing and choose more precise language if necessary. Alternatives such as "diminished slightly" or "declined marginally" can provide subtle variations in tone and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

diminished slightly

Indicates a small reduction, emphasizing the subtlety of the change.

slightly diminished

Reorders the words while retaining the meaning of a minor decrease.

reduced a bit

Emphasizes the small extent of the reduction using the informal term "bit".

declined marginally

Uses a more formal term "marginally" to highlight the slight decline.

eased off slightly

Suggests a gradual lessening of intensity or pressure.

lessened to some degree

A more formal way of saying "decreased somewhat", highlighting a partial reduction.

subsided slightly

Implies a reduction in intensity, often used for abstract concepts like pain or tension.

tapered off a little

Suggests a gradual reduction, often over a period of time.

abated slightly

Implies a reduction in force or intensity, often used in formal contexts.

moderately decreased

This suggests a more noticeable decrease than "somewhat".

FAQs

How can I use "decreased somewhat" in a sentence?

You can use "decreased somewhat" to describe a slight reduction in quantity, intensity, or degree. For example, "The pain "decreased somewhat" after taking the medication" or "The initial enthusiasm "decreased somewhat" over time".

What are some alternatives to "decreased somewhat"?

Alternatives include "diminished slightly", "reduced a bit", or "declined marginally". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "decreased somewhat" in formal writing?

Yes, "decreased somewhat" is generally acceptable in formal writing, although more precise language might be preferred depending on the specific context. Alternatives like "declined marginally" may sound more formal.

What's the difference between "decreased somewhat" and "decreased significantly"?

"Decreased somewhat" implies a small reduction, while "decreased significantly" suggests a large and important reduction. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the magnitude of the change you are describing.