reduce cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reduce cost" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase whenever you are wanting to talk about or suggest cutting down on spending. Example: "We need to reduce cost in order to stay within our budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"The family-planning services reduce cost," she said.

The New York Times

That should enable stock to be reduced and reduce cost.

The Guardian

"Limiting premature announcements could substantially reduce cost overruns," it said.

The Guardian - Business

Rolls said the revamp will "simplify the organisation, drive operational excellence and reduce cost".

The Guardian - Business

Supermarkets know they could reduce cost and waste, but keep serving up the perfection we demand.

The Guardian

Large-scale layoffs, which can reduce cost, often move the Dow up; environmental concerns don't factor.

The New York Times - Magazine

Overdraft-proofing the debit cards and eliminating paper cheques would reduce cost and risk.

The Economist

"Our message is largely that we reduce cost by bringing transparency to the process.

The New York Times

Various techniques of carburizing have been developed to increase efficiency and reduce cost.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By embracing leading-edge technologies, policy makers can reduce cost, increase efficiency and get more people covered.

The New York Times

Gold and silver used in jewelry and coins are alloyed with other metals to increase strength and reduce cost.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to "reduce cost", clearly identify the specific area where cost reduction is targeted for maximum impact. For example, "reduce cost" in manufacturing by streamlining the supply chain.

Common error

Avoid stating that you want to "reduce cost" without providing context. Instead, specify which costs you intend to reduce, such as "reduce cost of customer acquisition" for a more targeted approach.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduce cost" functions primarily as a verb phrase followed by a noun, indicating an action aimed at lowering expenses. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts. Examples in Ludwig show its use across diverse fields like family planning, business, and technology.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reduce cost" is a versatile and frequently used phrase that conveys the intention to lower expenses. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts, ranging from formal business communications to news reports. The phrase's neutral register and widespread usage across authoritative sources like The New York Times and scientific journals underscore its reliability and relevance. To enhance clarity, it’s best practice to specify the area where costs are being reduced, such as "reduce cost" in manufacturing. By using related phrases like "lower expenses" or "minimize expenditure" you can make you writing more elegant and precise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lower expenses

Replaces "cost" with a synonym "expenses" maintaining the overall meaning of decreasing expenditure.

cut spending

"Cut spending" uses a more direct verb "cut" instead of "reduce", emphasizing the action of decreasing expenses.

minimize expenditure

"Minimize expenditure" is a more formal way of saying reduce spending, suitable for business or academic contexts.

economize

"Economize" is a single-word verb that means to reduce expenses; it's a concise alternative.

streamline operations

Focuses on improving efficiency to lower costs indirectly, often through process improvements.

drive down costs

"Drive down costs" implies a more aggressive and active effort to reduce expenses.

curtail outlays

"Curtail outlays" is a more formal and technical term for reducing expenses, suitable for financial reports.

trim budget

"Trim budget" suggests making small reductions to the budget to save money.

optimize resource allocation

Focuses on using resources more efficiently to lower costs, often used in a business context.

decrease overhead

Specifically targets the reduction of overhead costs, such as administrative or operational expenses.

FAQs

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

You can use "reduce cost" in a sentence to indicate an effort to lower expenses, such as, "The company is implementing new strategies to "reduce cost" and improve profitability."

What is a more formal way to say "reduce cost"?

A more formal way to say "reduce cost" is to use phrases like "minimize expenditure", "curtail outlays", or "optimize resource allocation" depending on the context.

What are some strategies to "reduce cost" in business operations?

Strategies to "reduce cost" in business operations include "streamlining operations", negotiating better deals with suppliers, and "optimizing resource allocation".

Is "reduce cost" the same as "cut spending"?

"Reduce cost" and "cut spending" are similar, but "cut spending" often implies a more immediate and potentially drastic action, while "reduce cost" suggests a more gradual or strategic approach to lowering expenses.