diminish substantially

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "diminish substantially" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a significant reduction in size, amount, or importance of something. Example: "The new policy is expected to diminish substantially the number of errors in the reporting process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"With Greste's release that will diminish substantially," predicted HA Hellyer, a Middle East analyst with the Brookings Institution.

The Guardian

In suggesting that the team's already waning popularity could diminish substantially without him, Sprewell reminded the Knicks of what is most important: the bottom line.

The New York Times - Sports

One nasty surprise is that even the limited drug coverage initially provided will diminish substantially over time, making it less and less affordable to elderly people living on low fixed incomes.

The New York Times

In the end, however, the stature of moderate Republicans like Mrs. Roukema began to diminish substantially in the aftermath of 1994 House elections when Newt Gingrich, the fiery House speaker at the time, charged his party with the Contract on America.

The New York Times

Our species impact on the planet would diminish substantially as a result of our few numbers and global capability.

BBC

After a period of 14 days a significant decrease was observed, and after 38 days the chromatic changes generated by the application of the various materials were shown to diminish substantially.

Heritage Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Such tragedies notwithstanding, the problem has diminished substantially in recent years.

The Economist

The American-Israeli chill appears to have diminished substantially, the American official said.

The New York Times

As Olwyn read the later chapters of the book, however, and particularly after she read a draft of the manuscript in 1986, her cooperation diminished substantially.

The New Yorker

With no current program aimed at upgrading ships and no new ones planned, the letter said, "The nation's icebreaking capability has diminished substantially and is at risk of being unable to support our national interests in the Arctic regions".

The New York Times

I think the talent level of the roster has diminished substantially from the years they went to the A.F.C. Championship game – the roster was thin even before Revis and Holmes were hurt.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "diminish substantially", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being reduced and the extent of the reduction. This helps maintain clarity and prevents ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "diminish substantially" when the reduction is only slight or negligible. Using it for minor reductions can mislead the reader and weaken your credibility. Instead, opt for more accurate terms like "slightly decrease" or "marginally reduce".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "diminish substantially" functions as a modifier, typically describing the extent to which something is reduced. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable in written English. As can be seen in the examples it is often used to describe quantities, effects, or capabilities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "diminish substantially" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys a significant reduction or decrease. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s suitable for various writing contexts, especially in science and news media. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being reduced and that the reduction is indeed significant to avoid overstatement. Alternatives such as "decrease significantly" or "reduce considerably" can be used to achieve a similar effect. Understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate register enhances clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decrease significantly

Replaces "diminish" with "decrease" and "substantially" with "significantly", keeping a similar meaning.

reduce considerably

Substitutes "diminish" with "reduce" and "substantially" with "considerably", indicating a notable reduction.

lessen markedly

Replaces "diminish" with "lessen" and "substantially" with "markedly", suggesting a noticeable decrease.

decline sharply

Uses "decline" in place of "diminish" and "sharply" for "substantially", implying a rapid decrease.

drop significantly

Replaces "diminish" with "drop" and "substantially" with "significantly", indicating a considerable fall.

fall considerably

Substitutes "diminish" with "fall" and "substantially" with "considerably", conveying a notable drop.

wane significantly

Replaces "diminish" with "wane" and "substantially" with "significantly", suggesting a considerable decrease in strength or influence.

recede noticeably

Uses "recede" in place of "diminish" and "noticeably" for "substantially", indicating a clear retreat or reduction.

substantially lessen

Inverts the structure, placing "substantially" before "lessen", while maintaining a similar meaning of significant reduction.

markedly decrease

Replaces "diminish" with "decrease" and "substantially" with "markedly", indicating a conspicuous reduction.

FAQs

What does "diminish substantially" mean?

The phrase "diminish substantially" means to decrease significantly or considerably in size, amount, degree, or intensity. It indicates a notable reduction.

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

You can use "diminish substantially" to describe a significant reduction. For example: "The new policy will "decrease significantly" the number of errors."

What are some alternatives to "diminish substantially"?

Alternatives include "decrease significantly", "reduce considerably", or "lessen markedly". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "decrease substantially" or "diminish substantially"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Decrease substantially" might be slightly more common in everyday language, while "diminish substantially" can sound more formal. The choice depends on the desired tone and context.