it reduced them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it reduced them" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the impact of something that has caused a decrease or diminishment in a group or quantity. Example: "The new policy was implemented, and it reduced them to a state of confusion and uncertainty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It reduced them all.

Independent

In infants (aged six to 12 weeks) it reduced them by 27%.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Calling animals "it" reduces them to the status of objects.

The New York Times

It reduces them to subcontractors".

The New York Times

Adding Auto-Tune doesn't improve those tear-jerking moments, it reduces them; makes them fraudulent.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

You may well find it reduces them to a very satisfactory silence.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

For some, the question is of such overwhelming complexity, it reduces them to mumbling incomprehension.

The Guardian

I hate to say such things about a film that's based on a good idea and that's made — and acted — with skill and care, but overall, though it evokes howling hollows of the soul, it reduces them to cups in a cinematic shell game.

The New Yorker

According to a 2008 study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in its first three years it probably reduced them by 120m-300m tornes, or 2-5% a year, below what they would otherwise have been.Power companies and manufacturers factor a carbon price into their investment decisions these days.

The Economist

(In fact, it would have reduced them drastically, effectively eliminating the deficit problem).

The New York Times

Though the bank initially cut interest rates from 5.75% to 5%, it has not reduced them further for fear of stoking inflation.In this section Home's where the hurt is Dam difficult Defying augury Backyard blues Estate management Religious rights and wrongs Exit, unfunded?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "it reduced them", ensure that the pronoun "it" clearly refers to a specific, identifiable cause or factor that led to the reduction.

Common error

Avoid using "it reduced them" without a clear and immediate reference to what "it" is. Ambiguity can confuse the reader. For example, instead of saying "Sales dropped, it reduced them", clarify: "The price increase reduced sales figures."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it reduced them" primarily functions as a statement of cause and effect. Ludwig's examples show its use in describing the impact of an action or event on a group, resulting in a measurable decrease or diminishment. It indicates that 'it' had a decreasing impact on 'them'.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it reduced them" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to denote a decrease or diminishment caused by a specific factor. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is correct. While not extremely frequent, it appears in both news and scientific contexts. For clearer writing, always ensure the antecedent of "it" is unambiguous. Consider alternatives such as "it diminished them" or "it lessened them" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it diminished them

Replaces "reduced" with "diminished", implying a lessening in size, importance, or quality.

it lessened them

Uses "lessened" instead of "reduced", suggesting a decrease in amount or intensity.

it decreased their number

Specifies that the reduction is in quantity.

it curtailed them

Substitutes "reduced" with "curtailed", emphasizing a restriction or limitation.

it shrunk them

Employs "shrunk" to indicate a decrease in size or extent.

it abated them

Replaces "reduced" with "abated", suggesting a lessening in intensity or degree.

it alleviated them

Uses "alleviated" to imply a reduction in suffering or severity.

it mitigated them

Replaces "reduced" with "mitigated", emphasizing a lessening of negative impact.

it subdued them

Substitutes "reduced" with "subdued", suggesting a weakening of power or force.

it weakened them

Employs "weakened" to indicate a decrease in strength or effectiveness.

FAQs

What does "it reduced them" mean?

The phrase "it reduced them" means that something caused a decrease in the size, number, intensity, or status of a group or set of things.

Can I use "it reduced them" in formal writing?

Yes, "it reduced them" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when the context requires a clear and concise description of a diminishing effect. However, consider alternatives like "it diminished them" or "it lessened them" for variety.

What are some alternatives to "it reduced them"?

You can use alternatives such as "it decreased them", "it curtailed them", or "it shrunk them". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it reduced them" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it reduced them" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard subject-verb-object structure. "It" is the subject, "reduced" is the verb, and "them" is the object.