decreasing by

USAGE SUMMARY

"decreasing by" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when speaking or writing about a quantity that is going down in value. For example, "The amount of rainfall last week was 6 inches, decreasing by 3 inches compared to the previous week."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The oceans get more acidic, with the surface ocean pH decreasing by 15-17%.

The Guardian

Profits from current production fell $159.6bn£113bnbn) after decreasing by $33bn in the third quarter.

The Guardian - Business

But infrastructure fell for the third consecutive quarter, decreasing by 5.6%.

The Guardian - Business

Manufacturing profits declined $139.2bn during the last quarter after decreasing by $4.1bn in the July-September period.

The Guardian - Business

As the city changed over the decades, its population decreasing by a million, its demographics shifting from majority white to majority black, Timmons stayed put.

The Guardian - Money

The Pew Research Centre reported last year that that the congregations of Protestant churches in the US were decreasing by up to a million people a year.

The Guardian

While tobacco consumption globally is decreasing, by 2030 the number of smokers in Africa is anticipated to rise by nearly 40% from 2010 levels.

The Guardian

Statewide, the private-sector job count remained essentially flat, decreasing by 3,900 jobs to 6,918,800 in July, the numbers showed.

The New York Times

But, like all crime, hate crimes have decreased, dropping 44percentt from 2000 through 2004, with physical attacks decreasing by nearly half.

The New York Times

Trae Cyrus, the purchasing director for Gourmet Garage markets in Manhattan, said prices are not decreasing by any great amount because of Ocean Spray.

The New York Times - Food

It is thought the population of around 600,000 is decreasing by 38,000 every year, and one recent estimate suggested large groups could be extinct by 2020.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "decreasing by", ensure the context clearly states what is decreasing and by what amount. For clarity, specify the units of measurement (e.g., percentage, kilograms, units).

Common error

Avoid incorrectly calculating percentage decreases. Always ensure that the decrease is calculated relative to the correct base value. For example, if a price "decreasing by" 20% from $100, the new price is $80, not some other miscalculated amount.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decreasing by" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a verb or noun, indicating the amount or extent of a reduction. Ludwig shows numerous examples in various contexts, affirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decreasing by" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a reduction in quantity or value. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across various domains, including science, news, and business. The phrase is versatile, functioning as a prepositional phrase that modifies verbs or nouns to quantify the decrease. When using "decreasing by", clarity is key. Specify what is decreasing and the exact amount, ensuring the base value is correctly understood to avoid miscalculations. Alternatives like "falling by" or "declining by" offer similar meanings, providing writers with flexibility in their expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Decrease by

This is a simpler, more direct way of saying the same thing.

Reduces by

This is a verb form indicating that something is causing a reduction.

Declining by

This suggests a gradual and ongoing decrease.

Falling by

This indicates a sudden or rapid decrease.

Minimising by

This suggests an effort to reduce something to the smallest possible amount.

Minimise by

This implies an active effort to make something as small as possible.

Shrinking by

This implies a reduction in size or scope.

Downgrading by

This refers to a reduction in status or quality.

Lessening by

This describes a gradual reduction in intensity or amount.

Receding by

This conveys a sense of gradual decline or movement away.

FAQs

How can I use "decreasing by" in a sentence?

Use "decreasing by" to show a reduction in quantity. For example, "The unemployment rate is decreasing by 2% this quarter".

What are some alternatives to "decreasing by"?

You can use alternatives like "decrease by", "falling by", or "declining by" to express a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "decrease by" instead of "decreasing by"?

Both "decrease by" and "decreasing by" are grammatically correct, but they function differently. "Decrease by" is a verb phrase, while "decreasing by" acts as a present participle phrase, often modifying a noun. Choose the form that fits the grammatical structure of your sentence.

What's the difference between "decreasing by" and "increasing by"?

"Decreasing by" indicates a reduction in quantity or value, while "increasing by" indicates a rise. They are opposite in meaning. For example, "Sales are decreasing by 10%" versus "Sales are increasing by 10%".