reduce in size

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'reduce in size' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to describe a decrease in the physical size of an object or concept. For example, "Over the past few years, the store's inventory has been steadily reducing in size."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Therefore, all it is necessary to do is to reduce in size all the writing in the Encyclopædia by 25,000 times.

Britannica

These guys aren't one-hit wonders," he said, adding that as teams must reduce in size next year, Brawn was already relatively small and so was "in a great position".

The New York Times - Sports

The Antarctic ozone hole, which was expected to reduce in size swiftly when manmade chlorine emissions were outlawed 27 years ago, is stubbornly remaining the size of North America, new data from Nasa suggests.

The Guardian

On the basis of several experiments, it is evidenced that the embedded nanoparticles either grow in size or reduce in size, if they are smaller than or comparable to the ion track size.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms

On Monday, when announcing his decision to reduce in size the Bear Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments, President Trump reassured state residents that his decision brings finality to the controversy over just how much federal land in Utah needs protection under a 1906 law.

The Washington Post

-- Patagonia protest: On Tuesday, Maria Cantwell of Washington, top Democrat on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, registered a protest against President Trump's decision to reduce in size Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments by wearing a Patagonia jacket to a committee hearing.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

We have already reduced in size.

The Guardian

It has been reduced in size.

The New Yorker

The tail is greatly reduced in size.

Britannica

It's partly because the notes are reducing in size.

The Guardian - Money

Some 24 were reduced in size or price, or both.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reduce in size" when referring to a measurable decrease in dimensions or scale. Consider alternatives like "decrease in size" or "scale down" for more specific contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "reduce in size" when referring to abstract concepts like influence or power. Instead, use phrases like "decrease in influence" or "lessen in power" for greater precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduce in size" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating an action taken to diminish the physical dimensions or scope of something. Ludwig AI shows examples in scientific contexts, news articles, and general writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reduce in size" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that describes the act of making something smaller. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across various contexts, from scientific research to news reporting. The phrase holds a neutral tone, suitable for both formal and informal communication. Alternatives like "decrease in size" or "scale down" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context. While the phrase is correct and widely used, be mindful of overusing it in abstract contexts where more precise vocabulary may be available.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decrease in size

Focuses on the action of becoming smaller, emphasizing a gradual change.

diminish in size

Implies a more gradual and subtle reduction, often suggesting a loss of importance along with physical dimensions.

shrink in size

Suggests a contraction or compression, often due to external forces or conditions.

scale down

Emphasizes a proportional reduction, often in the context of plans, operations, or production.

downsize

Commonly used in business contexts to refer to reducing the workforce or scope of operations.

lessen in magnitude

Highlights a reduction in overall impact or significance, rather than just physical size.

contract

Implies a drawing together or shrinking, often due to cooling or drying.

abbreviate

Focuses on making something shorter or more concise, typically in terms of length or duration.

compress

Suggests squeezing something into a smaller space, often with force.

truncate

Indicates cutting something short or removing a part of it, resulting in a smaller size.

FAQs

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

You can use "reduce in size" to describe a physical decrease in dimensions, like "The company decided to reduce in size the product packaging" or a figurative decrease, such as "The efforts to reduce in size the environmental impact were successful".

What can I say instead of "reduce in size"?

You can use alternatives like "decrease in size", "scale down", or "shrink" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "reduce in size" or "reduced in size"?

"Reduce in size" is an infinitive verb phrase, while "reduced in size" is the past participle form. Use "reduce in size" when referring to an action or process, and "reduced in size" when describing a state or condition.

What's the difference between "reduce in size" and "downsize"?

"Reduce in size" is a more general term for making something smaller, while "downsize" often specifically refers to reducing the workforce or scope of a business.