decreases

USAGE SUMMARY

"decreases" is a perfectly correct and usable word in written English.
It is a verb that means to reduce the amount or size of something. Example sentence: Sales of the product decreased after the recall.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It adds: "According to CEOP, Tor is less popular among offenders because it decreases the speed at which images can be downloaded".

The Guardian - Tech

Instead, the estimated impact of each tonne of CO2 increases or decreases as scientific knowledge improves.

The Guardian

We usually weigh the most by Sunday and Monday and then, over the course of the week, our weight generally decreases.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We also know that eating vegetables and fruits, and being physically active, decreases the risk of several cancers, and [that] eating red and processed meat increases the risk of bowel cancer", said Thompson.

The Guardian

Bennett said most of the BBC's talent had faced "double digit decreases in their fee structure on television" and the corporation would continue to "drive quite a hard bargain".

The Guardian

About half of primary and over 60% of secondary schools are likely to see real-terms decreases of 5% or more.

The Guardian

But a lot will have to go right if that is to happen.Growth Decreases PovertyIn 1990-2010 the driving force behind the reduction of worldwide poverty was growth.

The Economist

One BAMS study of California also found that atmospheric pressure patterns associated with droughts in the past are becoming more likely than they would be without greenhouse-gas emissions.On the other hand, another study concluded that global warming increases the risk of drought in California in some ways but decreases it in others, leaving no net change.

The Economist

The probability of survival decreases by 10% for every minute of hesitation, and by 5% even if cardiopulmonary resuscitation, better known as CPR, is performed.

The Economist

This corresponds with large increases and decreases in the amount of private debt relative to income, as well as the prices of assets financed by that debt, such as real estate.

The Economist

Detroit and some Eastern European cities have had population decreases in recent years.What slows growth?It's to do with migration reaching a saturation point.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a downward trend, use "decreases" to clearly and concisely indicate a reduction in quantity, value, or intensity. For instance, "As the temperature drops, the demand for ice decreases."

Common error

Ensure the subject of the sentence agrees with the verb "decreases". "Decreases" is the third-person singular form, so it should be used with singular subjects (e.g., "The price decreases"). Avoid using it with plural subjects (e.g., not "The prices decreases").

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "decreases" is that of a verb, specifically the third-person singular present indicative form. Ludwig shows it's utilized to express that something is actively reducing in amount, intensity, or size. Ludwig AI confirms that is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decreases" functions as a verb indicating a reduction or decline, commonly found in neutral to formal contexts such as news, science, and business. Ludwig highlights its grammatical correctness and frequency. To ensure accuracy, remember the subject-verb agreement rule and use "decreases" with singular subjects. When aiming for variety, alternatives like "diminishes", "lessens", and "reduces" can be used. Ludwig AI confirms that "decreases" is a perfectly correct and usable word in written English. It is a verb that means to reduce the amount or size of something. Sales of the product decreased after the recall.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

diminishes

Implies a gradual reduction in size, importance, or intensity.

lessens

Suggests a reduction in amount, degree, or severity.

reduces

Indicates a lowering of quantity, size, or extent.

declines

Suggests a gradual and often steady decrease, especially in number or value.

falls

Indicates a downward movement or reduction in level or amount.

drops

Suggests a sudden or rapid decrease.

abates

Implies a lessening in intensity or degree, often used for something negative like pain or a storm.

subsides

Indicates a decrease in intensity or activity, often after a period of being high or strong.

wanes

Suggests a gradual decline in power, influence, or extent.

contracts

Implies a reduction in size or scope, often used in economic contexts.

FAQs

How do I use "decreases" in a sentence?

"Decreases" is used to indicate a reduction in quantity, size, or intensity. For example, "The amount of rainfall decreases during the summer months."

What can I say instead of "decreases"?

You can use alternatives like "diminishes", "lessens", or "reduces" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "decreases" or "decrease"?

"Decreases" is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb "decrease" and is used when the subject is singular (e.g., "The demand decreases"). "Decrease" is the base form and is used with plural subjects (e.g., "Demands decrease").

What's the difference between "decreases" and "increases"?

"Decreases" indicates a reduction, while "increases" indicates an addition or growth. They are antonyms. For example, "As costs increase, profits decreases".