reduce over time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reduce over time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to describe a gradual decrease in quantity, intensity, or frequency. Example: "The company aims to reduce over time its carbon emissions to meet environmental standards."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Moreover, efficacy can reduce over time.

Autoimmunity Reviews

If selection were suspended, then the structure would reduce over time.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

There is an agreed leeway of €45m (£40m) over the first two years, which will reduce over time.

The Guardian - Sport

It would set limits that would reduce over time, forcing power stations to shut one by one, with a proviso that there would be no impact on reliability.

The Guardian

But at the same time, the law of diminishing returns is natural too, and the value of a specific sponsorship tends to reduce over time.

The Guardian - Sport

Gov. George E. Pataki said today that he would kill a bill that would reduce, over time, the light that obscures the stars over cities and highways.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Encouragingly, reported risky driving behaviours in UK military personnel have reduced over time.

BMJ Open

As a consequence, the RNA requirements have reduced over time as technologies have improved.

BMC Genomics

The most striking observation, however, is that broadly across ages, both incidence and prevalence have reduced over time.

AIDS

These can be reduced over time as obligations are fulfilled.

The Economist

It said the baseline should be reduced over time, and reach zero "well before 2050".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reduce over time", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being reduced and the timeframe involved. For example, "The company aims to reduce over time its carbon footprint through sustainable practices."

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating what is being reduced. Saying simply "things will reduce over time" is vague. Instead, specify, for example, "operational costs will "decrease progressively" over time."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduce over time" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a process of gradual diminution. Ludwig shows its use across various contexts, demonstrating its role in describing trends, goals, or expectations of decline.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reduce over time" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a gradual decrease. As Ludwig shows, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and business contexts. While alternatives like ""decrease gradually"" or ""diminish progressively"" exist, the choice depends on the desired nuance. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what is being reduced. Ludwig AI confirms that "reduce over time" is a correct and usable expression in various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decrease gradually

Emphasizes the pace of reduction; "gradually" highlights a slow, steady decline.

diminish progressively

"Progressively" suggests a staged or systematic reduction, implying a structured decline.

lessen with time

Focuses on the effect of time on the reduction, highlighting time as the influencing factor.

decline steadily

"Steadily" indicates a consistent and unwavering reduction, emphasizing reliability of the decrease.

attenuate gradually

"Attenuate" implies a weakening or thinning over time, often used in technical or scientific contexts.

erode progressively

"Erode" suggests a wearing away or disintegration over time, often used metaphorically.

taper off

Implies a reduction to a point, suggesting something becomes narrower, thinner or less intense.

phase down

Indicates a planned or scheduled reduction, typically in policies or programs.

wind down

Suggests a gradual ceasing or termination of activity or operation over time.

peter out

Indicates a very gradual reduction to almost nothing, often implying a lack of energy or substance.

FAQs

How can I use "reduce over time" in a sentence?

You can use "reduce over time" to describe a gradual decrease in something. For example, "The goal is to "diminish progressively" the amount of waste produced over time" or "We expect the initial investment to "decrease gradually" over time as the technology becomes more efficient."

What are some alternatives to "reduce over time"?

Some alternatives to "reduce over time" include ""decrease gradually"", "lessen with time", "decline steadily", or ""diminish progressively"". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "reduce over time" or "decrease over time"?

Both "reduce over time" and "decrease over time" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations. "Reduce" might be preferred in contexts where the focus is on making something smaller or less, while "decrease" is a more general term for diminishing in quantity or size.

What's the difference between "reduce over time" and "reduced over time"?

"Reduce over time" is an active construction that describes an ongoing process of reduction. "Reduced over time" is a passive construction, indicating that something has already been lessened gradually in the past. For example: "We aim to reduce over time our reliance on fossil fuels" versus "Our reliance on fossil fuels has reduced over time due to technological advancements".