progressively reduce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "progressively reduce" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a gradual decrease in quantity, size, or intensity over time. Example: "The company aims to progressively reduce its carbon emissions over the next decade."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

From 18 November 2012, Sheilas' Wheels will progressively reduce its 30 day "quote guarantee period' through to 17 December.

The Guardian - Money

In another stunner, a series of lithographs from 1945-46 preducesively reduce his realistic drawing of a full-bodied bull to a witty outline.

The New York Times - Arts

The current administration has pledged to continue to integrate pension funds (in 2008, Greece had more than 100 separately administered funds), to phase out some early retirements and progressively reduce higher pensions.

The Guardian - Business

Finally, to achieve zero net emissions, it argues the safeguard mechanisms should be expanded to cover smaller emitters too, and progressively reduce the allowed caps to zero, resulting in all emissions being a result of the tradable permits.

The Guardian

Following Fearnley-Whittingstall's Fish Fight TV series in 2011, the company – which imports around 30% of all the tuna consumed in Britain – pledged to progressively reduce its unsustainably caught tuna and eliminate it by the end of 2016.

The Guardian

Power companies in Britain have been required to progressively reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and this year 68 percent of that reduction had to come from subsidizing professionally installed insulation in customers' homes.

The New York Times

Sir Mike, who led Greggs for 25 years before his retirement in 2008, wrote to each board demanding that they "take action to progressively reduce the package" of their chief executive.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

The contact area progressively reduces as shear displacement progresses, which is the asperity sliding phase (Fig. 7A-B).

International Journal of Coal Science & Technology

He progressively reduced his possessions to zero.

The Guardian - Arts

The size of the sponges inside, which hold the ink, have progressively reduced over the years.

The Guardian - Money

Although New South Wales was progressively reduced in physical extent, its history was one of growth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "progressively reduce", ensure the context clearly indicates the timeframe or conditions under which the reduction occurs to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "progressively reduce" when the reduction is immediate or abrupt. The phrase implies a gradual process, so ensure it aligns with the actual pace of reduction to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "progressively reduce" functions as a verb phrase that typically modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that the subject undergoes a gradual decrease. As seen in Ludwig, it expresses the action of diminishing something over time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "progressively reduce" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe a gradual decrease over time. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in scientific and news contexts. While alternatives like "gradually decrease" or "systematically lower" exist, "progressively reduce" offers a nuanced emphasis on the ongoing nature of the reduction. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clarifies the conditions and timeframe of the decline, and be mindful of avoiding its use in situations involving sudden or immediate reductions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Gradually decrease

Emphasizes the gradual nature of the reduction.

Systematically lower

Focuses on a planned, methodical reduction.

Incrementally diminish

Highlights small, successive reductions.

Steadily curtail

Suggests a consistent and controlled reduction.

Phase out

Implies a gradual elimination over a defined period.

Ratcheting down

Suggests a mechanism that permits adjustments only in a downward direction.

Attenuate gradually

Focuses on weakening or lessening in intensity over time.

Stepwise decline

Emphasizes the reduction occurring in distinct steps.

Erode slowly

Implies a gradual wearing away or diminishing.

Mitigate over time

Focuses on lessening the severity or impact gradually.

FAQs

How can I use "progressively reduce" in a sentence?

Use "progressively reduce" to describe a gradual decrease over time, such as: "The company plans to "progressively reduce" its reliance on fossil fuels."

What are some alternatives to saying "progressively reduce"?

You can use alternatives like "gradually decrease", "systematically lower", or "incrementally diminish" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "progressively reduce" and "immediately reduce"?

Yes, "progressively reduce" indicates a gradual decline over time, while "immediately reduce" suggests an abrupt or instantaneous decrease. They are not interchangeable.

Can "progressively reduce" be used in all contexts?

While "progressively reduce" is versatile, it's most appropriate when describing a process that unfolds gradually. For sudden or one-time reductions, a different phrase might be more accurate.