reduce its scope

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reduce its scope" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the limitation or narrowing down of a project, plan, or topic. Example: "In order to meet the deadline, we need to reduce its scope and focus on the most critical features."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"But I expect there will be efforts to reduce its scope and to expand it.… That tension will shape the law for generations to come".

Los Angeles Times

For domestic politicians, the goal was to control the process by placing it in a heavily secured military base some 20 kilometers from Phnom Penh and to reduce its scope by limiting the number of individuals it could indict (five) while currying international favor for addressing, superficially at least, crimes against humanity.

The New York Times

But the Democrats led by Mr. Frank also agreed to some modest changes in the legislation to reduce its scope.

The New York Times

He says he was not trying to get away from the book but had to reduce its scope for cinema.

Independent

Three-quarters of those that responded said they would eliminate summer school or reduce its scope, said Leanne Winner, a director at the association.

The New York Times

It has promised to sell crude to independent refiners on long-term contracts that reduce its scope to raise prices if that scope exists.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Likewise, the Ipswich service has reduced its scope.

The Guardian

Glen von Nostitz, a spokesman for Mr. Markowitz, said the event was canceled after law enforcement officials recommended reducing its scope.

The New York Times

The board resolved a controversy over the landmarking of two model tenement "estates" by sensibly reducing its scope.

The New York Times

The more pragmatic donors, resigned to the inevitability of some "leakage", are focusing on reducing its scope.

The Economist

The Sursock "never closed" during the war, says Arida – the mansion is well on the east side of the Green Line – but the fighting reduced its scope and impact.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for conciseness in technical writing, consider using "reduce its scope" to clearly indicate a narrowing of focus or limitations in parameters.

Common error

Avoid using "reduce its scope" when a more specific verb would provide clarity. For instance, instead of saying "reduce its scope", specify whether you are "limiting", "restricting", or "narrowing" something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduce its scope" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of limiting or decreasing the extent or range of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently observed across diverse written and spoken contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reduce its scope" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the action of limiting the extent or range of something. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, this phrase appears across a variety of sources, ranging from news and media to academic and scientific texts. While its frequency is considered uncommon, its versatility in various contexts makes it a valuable addition to one's writing and communication toolkit. Alternatives such as "limit its breadth" or "constrain its application" may be suitable depending on the desired nuance. Remember to avoid overgeneralization and specify what is being limited for enhanced clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

narrow its extent

Replaces "scope" with "extent", offering a slightly more formal synonym.

limit its breadth

Substitutes "scope" with "breadth", emphasizing the width or range being reduced.

curtail its reach

Uses "curtail" instead of "reduce", suggesting a more forceful or abrupt limitation.

diminish its scale

Replaces "scope" with "scale", focusing on the size or magnitude being reduced.

constrain its application

Replaces "reduce" with "constrain" and "scope" with "application", shifting the focus to limiting how something is used.

lessen its magnitude

Uses "lessen" for "reduce" and "magnitude" for "scope", highlighting a decrease in size or importance.

restrict its domain

Substitutes "scope" with "domain", emphasizing the area of control or influence being limited.

scale down its operations

Rephrases the entire expression to focus on reducing the scale of operations.

downsize its ambit

Replaces "reduce" with "downsize" and "scope" with "ambit", suggesting a decrease in the sphere of influence or activity.

truncate its coverage

Uses "truncate" instead of "reduce" and "coverage" for "scope", suggesting a shortening or abrupt end to the extent of something.

FAQs

How can I use "reduce its scope" in a sentence?

You can use "reduce its scope" to describe limiting or narrowing the extent of something. For example, "The project manager decided to "reduce its scope" to meet the deadline."

What's a formal alternative to "reduce its scope"?

A more formal alternative could be "limit its breadth" or "constrain its application", depending on the specific context you're working in. For example, The board decided to "constrain its application" to only critical areas.

Is "reduce its scope" appropriate for technical documentation?

Yes, "reduce its scope" is appropriate, as it clearly communicates the action of narrowing down or limiting something in technical documentation. Always ensure clarity and context are maintained.

Which is a better choice: "reduce its scope" or "narrow its focus"?

The best choice depends on the context. "Reduce its scope" implies limiting the extent or range, while "narrow its focus" suggests refining the area of attention. Use the one that best fits the specific situation.