decreased substantially

USAGE SUMMARY

"decreased substantially" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a significant decline in the amount of something. For example, "Sales decreased substantially during the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Also PWV decreased substantially, while Aix increased to a substantial degree.

BioMed Research International

After that window, attrition rates decreased substantially.

Harvard University

Although they still exist, their numbers have decreased substantially, especially in Midtown.

The New York Times

American military figures show that sectarian killings in Baghdad have decreased substantially.

The New York Times

The number of problems decreased substantially after prosthodontic treatment.

Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics

(Ownership by American investors of Chrysler has decreased substantially since its acquisition in 1998 by Daimler-Benz).

The New York Times

N losses to the environment were decreased substantially (5 to 120 lb/acre).

Cornell University

Ironically, we have found an inadvertent upside to the financial downturn: Construction costs have decreased substantially!

Stanford University

Milk sales have decreased substantially, forcing the farm to lower production and cut down on employee hours.

The Washington Post

Sgt. Patrick Ryder, deputy commander of the police department's Asset Forfeiture Bureau, said the costs of administering the program have decreased substantially over the past six months.

The New York Times

Mr. Kerik said crime had decreased substantially in the area, including a 50percentt drop in homicides over the last year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "decreased substantially", quantify the decrease with specific numbers or percentages to provide a clearer understanding of the extent of the reduction. For example, "The infection rates decreased substantially, from 20% to under 5%."

Common error

Avoid using "decreased substantially" when the decrease is marginal or insignificant. Ensure the reduction is truly notable and impactful to justify the use of this phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decreased substantially" functions as a verbal phrase, typically used as part of a predicate to describe the action of something reducing significantly. It modifies a verb, adding information about the extent of the decrease. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

58%

News & Media

33%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decreased substantially" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to denote a significant reduction. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts, including science, news, and academia. When using this phrase, it's best to quantify the decrease for clarity and avoid overstating its significance. Alternative phrases include "declined significantly" and "fell sharply", each providing slightly different nuances. Therefore, "decreased Substantially" is suitable in neutral and formal context and it's unlikely to generate misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

declined significantly

This option is a direct synonym, highlighting the importance of the reduction.

dropped considerably

This suggests a notable and measurable decrease.

fell sharply

This alternative emphasizes a sudden and rapid decrease.

plummeted drastically

This emphasizes a very steep and rapid decline.

diminished greatly

This phrase focuses on the reduction in size or importance.

shrank markedly

This alternative emphasizes a reduction in physical size or scope.

lessened appreciably

This highlights a decrease that is easily perceived or measured.

receded noticeably

This is suitable when describing something moving back or away, such as water levels or influence.

weakened substantially

This suggests that strength or power has been reduced significantly.

eased off significantly

This implies a reduction in intensity or pressure.

FAQs

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

You can use "decreased substantially" to describe a significant reduction in something. For example, "After the new policy was implemented, complaints "decreased substantially"."

What are some alternatives to "decreased substantially"?

Alternatives include "declined significantly", "fell sharply", or "dropped considerably". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "decreased substantially" or "decreased significantly"?

Both are correct and often interchangeable. "Substantially" emphasizes the magnitude of the decrease, while "significantly" highlights its importance or impact. The choice depends on which aspect you want to emphasize.

What is the difference between "decreased substantially" and "decreased slightly"?

"Decreased slightly" indicates a minor reduction, while "decreased substantially" indicates a major and noticeable reduction. The choice depends on the actual extent of the decrease.