reduce sharply

USAGE SUMMARY

"reduce sharply" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is most often used when referring to a decrease in quantity or rate, such as in the following example sentence: "Sales of the product reduced sharply after the introduction of a competing product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

This was expected to reduce sharply the dominance of the Labour Party.

The Economist

Several conservation groups have been pressing Cites to reduce sharply or even ban caviar exports from Caspian Sea countries.

The New York Times

The hiring is part of Mr. Akerson's strategy to reduce sharply G.M.'s reliance on outside technology.

The New York Times - Tech

Today's pact calls for the tribes to reduce sharply their use of large-mesh gill nets, which kill fish of various sizes and species and can entangle boats.

The New York Times

The Environmental Protection Agency has decided to reduce sharply the level of sulfur allowed in diesel fuel, calling diesel emissions an important health hazard.

The New York Times

High oil prices have made airfreight exorbitantly expensive and prompted the world's container shipping lines to reduce sharply the speed of their vessels.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Future pension benefits will be reduced sharply.

The Economist

Conservationists howled, and the quotas were reduced sharply.

The New York Times - Magazine

Had Quadrangle lost the vote, its fees could have been reduced sharply.

The New York Times

The dividends were reduced sharply after the federal rescue of the financial system.

The New York Times

IF REDUCE: Should this funding request be reduced somewhat, or reduced sharply?

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reduce sharply", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being reduced. Be specific about the subject and the magnitude of the reduction for maximum impact.

Common error

Avoid using "reduce sharply" without a clear subject of reduction. For example, instead of saying "Costs reduced sharply", specify "Operating costs reduced sharply by 20%" for greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduce sharply" functions as a verb phrase, specifically an action phrase that indicates a significant decrease or reduction in something. It is typically used to describe actions taken to lessen a quantity, value, or intensity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reduce sharply" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe a significant decrease or reduction. Ludwig AI confirms it as grammatically correct and widely accepted across various domains. As exemplified by Ludwig, it commonly appears in news reports, scientific articles, and business communications, indicating a neutral to professional register. To use it effectively, always ensure the subject being reduced is clearly stated. Alternatives include "decrease significantly" and "substantially diminish", offering similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. The phrase's frequency is categorized as "common", reflecting its regular use in diverse writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decrease significantly

Replaces "reduce" with "decrease" and "sharply" with "significantly", maintaining the meaning of a substantial reduction.

substantially diminish

Uses "diminish" instead of "reduce" and "substantially" instead of "sharply", conveying a similar sense of marked decline.

markedly lessen

Replaces "reduce" with "lessen" and "sharply" with "markedly", retaining the indication of a noticeable reduction.

drastically cut back

Employs "cut back" as a substitute for "reduce" and "drastically" for "sharply", highlighting a severe reduction.

significantly curtail

Uses "curtail" in place of "reduce" and "significantly" for "sharply", suggesting a notable restriction or reduction.

substantially abate

Replaces "reduce" with "abate" and "sharply" with "substantially", indicating a considerable lessening in intensity or amount.

radically minimize

Uses "minimize" instead of "reduce" and "radically" instead of "sharply", emphasizing a dramatic reduction to the lowest possible level.

considerably lower

Replaces "reduce" with "lower" and "sharply" with "considerably", maintaining the meaning of a significant downward movement.

noticeably shrink

Employs "shrink" as a substitute for "reduce" and "noticeably" for "sharply", conveying a clear and evident reduction in size or amount.

critically decline

Uses "decline" instead of "reduce" and "critically" instead of "sharply", highlighting a severe and potentially dangerous reduction.

FAQs

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

You can use "reduce sharply" to describe a significant decrease in something. For example, "The company decided to "reduce sharply" its marketing budget due to declining sales."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "reduce sharply"?

Alternatives include "decrease significantly", "substantially diminish", or "markedly lessen". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "reduce significantly" or "reduce sharply"?

"Reduce significantly" and "reduce sharply" are quite similar. "Reduce sharply" emphasizes the sudden or steep nature of the reduction, while "reduce significantly" highlights the importance or magnitude of the reduction. Choose the phrase that best fits the context.

What does it mean to "reduce something sharply"?

To "reduce something sharply" means to decrease it to a considerable degree or at a rapid pace. It implies a significant and noticeable change in quantity, size, or intensity.