it has decreased

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has decreased" is correct and is often used in written English.
You can use it when referring to something declining in amount, value, or rate. For example: "Sales have decreased in the past year due to the global economic slowdown."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The reason for being categorized as "vulnerable" is that despite its wide distribution, it has decreased by 20-50% over the last 25 years and has reached extinction in at least one country.

Wikipedia

For instance, in Figure 14, the number of susceptible people in (P') is equal to 45 on both sides, which means it has decreased by only five people from its initial condition.

Advances in Difference Equations

"I wouldn't say it has decreased," he said.

The New York Times

The number of heavy rainfall events over land has increased in more regions than it has decreased.

The Guardian

The next year that number dropped by half, and it has decreased every year since then, he said.

The New York Times

It has decreased in recent times due mainly to the burning of coal in the middle of the last century.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nomadic sheepherding is still extensive, although it has decreased in importance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Tamah Murfet, of the International Rescue Committee's women's protection unit in the Congo, says: "Funding is very low for tackling sexual violence: across the board it has decreased.

The Guardian

My weight hasn't increased (it has decreased, actually), I don't find it harder to concentrate and I don't blame the hormone for missed deadlines.

The New York Times - Magazine

The number of temporary employees nationwide dropped 14,000, to 2.8 million; it has decreased 20percentt in the last three years.

The New York Times

Obama's overall approval was 50.8% per Gallup in the month before election, but it has decreased by 5.1pt, to 45.7%, since July.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it has decreased", ensure the subject you're referring to is clearly defined in the context. For example, instead of just saying "it has decreased", specify "the number of applicants has decreased".

Common error

Avoid using "it has decreased" without a clear antecedent. Ensure your reader understands what 'it' refers to. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has decreased" functions as a verb phrase indicating that something has reduced in quantity, size, intensity, or degree. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly used to describe a decline. The phrase acts as the predicate of a clause, asserting a change in state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it has decreased" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression to denote a reduction or decline. As highlighted by Ludwig, its application spans various domains, particularly science and news media. While universally appropriate, clarity is key—always ensure the 'it' is explicitly defined. Alternatives like "it has declined" or "it has diminished" offer subtle variations in meaning, enriching your descriptive precision. Remembering these nuances, coupled with proper contextualization, ensures your writing remains both accurate and effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has declined

Simple synonym, implies a reduction in amount or quality.

it has diminished

Indicates a gradual reduction, often in importance or intensity.

it has fallen

Suggests a sudden or significant drop.

it has shrunk

Implies a reduction in size or scope.

it has lessened

Indicates a reduction in intensity or severity.

it has waned

Suggests a gradual decline in power or influence.

it has receded

Implies a movement back or away, indicating a decrease in presence.

it has tapered off

Suggests a gradual reduction to a point near zero.

it has eased

Implies a reduction in pressure or tension.

it has abated

Indicates a reduction in intensity or degree, especially of something unpleasant.

FAQs

How do I use "it has decreased" in a sentence?

Use "it has decreased" to indicate a reduction in quantity, size, or intensity. For example, "Since the new policy was implemented, the number of complaints "it has decreased" significantly."

What can I say instead of "it has decreased"?

You can use alternatives like "it has declined", "it has diminished", or "it has fallen" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "it decreased" or "it has decreased"?

"It decreased" implies a completed action in the past, while ""it has decreased"" suggests a change that has occurred over time and may still be relevant. Choose the tense that best fits your intended meaning.

What's the difference between "it has decreased" and "it is decreasing"?

"It has decreased" indicates that the decrease is complete, whereas "it is decreasing" describes an ongoing process.