diminish over time

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "diminish over time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing gradual decrease or reduction in something over a period of time. For example: The number of people attending the concert diminished over time as the headliner band's set came to a close.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Alas, this benefit may diminish over time.

The Economist

But with fewer opportunities to live and study there, this too may diminish over time.

The Guardian

Substrate MW will diminish over time as higher MW substrates are converted to lower MW substrates.

Geochemical Transactions

The impact of wind turbines might diminish over time anyway, due to increased familiarity.

Landscape and Urban Planning

The negative coefficients on most of the policy-time trend interactions suggest that the policy effect may diminish over time.

Health Economics Review

They would build one data center and what was inside would actually diminish over time rather than grow.

Forbes

This probability will diminish over time as the number of newly diagnosed cancers increases in both groups.

British Journal of Cancer

Some youthful enthusiasms diminish over time.

The Guardian - Music

"But that relief tends to diminish over time.

The New Yorker

They are likely to grow, rather than diminish, over time.

The Guardian

If the private purchase of bullets is controlled, the stockpile of bullets will diminish over time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "diminish over time", ensure the context clearly indicates what is decreasing and the timeframe involved. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that everything inevitably "diminishes over time". Some things grow, evolve, or strengthen; ensure your claim is factually supported and logical within its context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "diminish over time" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a process of gradual reduction. It's used to describe how something lessens or decreases in quantity, quality, or intensity as time progresses, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "diminish over time" effectively communicates a gradual decrease or reduction as time passes. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "decline over time" or "lessen over time" exist, "diminish over time" offers a versatile way to describe the gradual reduction of various attributes or characteristics. When using the phrase, ensure the context clarifies what is decreasing to prevent ambiguity. Be mindful that not everything diminishes over time; some things may grow or evolve, so base your claims on supporting evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decline over time

Replaces "diminish" with "decline", suggesting a gradual and often inevitable decrease.

decrease over time

Substitutes "diminish" with "decrease", indicating a reduction in size, extent, or degree.

lessen over time

Uses "lessen" instead of "diminish", implying a reduction in intensity or amount.

wane over time

Replaces "diminish" with "wane", suggesting a gradual decline in power, influence, or extent.

fade over time

Substitutes "diminish" with "fade", implying a gradual loss of color, brightness, or strength.

reduce over time

Uses "reduce" instead of "diminish", indicating a decrease in amount, size, or intensity.

abate over time

Replaces "diminish" with "abate", suggesting a lessening in intensity or degree, often of something negative.

taper off over time

Substitutes "diminish" with "taper off", implying a gradual reduction to a point.

peter out over time

Uses "peter out" instead of "diminish", suggesting a gradual dwindling to nothing.

ebb over time

Replaces "diminish" with "ebb", suggesting a decline or recession, often in a metaphorical sense.

FAQs

How can I use "diminish over time" in a sentence?

Use "diminish over time" to describe something that gradually decreases or reduces in size, importance, or intensity as time passes. For example, "The effects of the medication will "diminish over time"".

What phrases are similar to "diminish over time"?

Similar phrases include "decline over time", "decrease over time", and "lessen over time". Each suggests a gradual reduction over a period.

Is it correct to say "shrank over time" instead of "diminished over time"?

Yes, you can use "shrank over time", but it specifically implies a reduction in physical size. "Diminished over time" is more versatile and can apply to abstract concepts like influence or importance.

What is the difference between "fade over time" and "diminish over time"?

"Fade over time" often implies a loss of color, brightness, or clarity, while "diminish over time" indicates a reduction in amount, degree, or power. Therefore, "fade over time" is suitable for visual or sensory contexts, whereas "diminish over time" can be used more broadly.