reduce substantially

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reduce substantially" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a significant decrease in quantity, size, or degree of something. Example: "The new policy aims to reduce substantially the amount of waste produced by the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For further increases in D, aperture must reduce substantially since cuticular water loss into the surrounding air is a substantial fraction of the total.

BMC Ecology

Citing other commitments, Britain plans to reduce substantially the number of its troops in Afghanistan.

The New York Times

In tunnel tests, the treatment was found to reduce substantially the noise level without any appreciable impact on aerodynamics.

Independent

But official recognition that a once-a-day pill can reduce substantially the risk of infection is important.

The Economist

"Evidence from other countries demonstrates that a bag levy is a simple and effective means to reduce substantially the negative environmental impact of carrier bag consumption.

The Guardian

Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been trying to reduce substantially the government's role in the economy, which has been in turmoil for the past three years.

The New York Times

Moreover, he said, "the usual result in the most compelling cases -- the longest marriages -- would be to reduce substantially the gap in incomes of former spouses after their divorce".

The New York Times

Later in same presentation, he said, "We have made a commitment to ourselves and to you that our losses will reduce substantially in 2001 and that we will achieve positive" operating cash flow in 2002.

The New York Times

The bill gives the federal sentencing commission, created in 1984 to set ranges in sentencing, six months to reduce substantially the opportunities for judges to impose terms below the guidelines.

The New York Times

After nearly three days of court-ordered negotiations, the United States Forest Service agreed to reduce substantially the size of a timber sale on large tracts of the Bitterroot National Forest that burned in wildfires in 2000.

The New York Times

The Bush administration has decided to let stand regulations imposed by President Bill Clinton that are intended to reduce substantially the pollution caused by diesel fuel and engines, officials said today.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone and formality of your writing. While "reduce substantially" is generally acceptable in various contexts, synonyms like "significantly decrease" or "greatly diminish" might be more appropriate depending on the audience and purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "reduce substantially" when the actual reduction is minimal or insignificant. Ensure the reduction is truly substantial to maintain credibility and accuracy. Instead, consider "slightly decrease" or "marginally lessen".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduce substantially" functions as a verb phrase, where "reduce" is the verb indicating the action of lessening something, and "substantially" is an adverb modifying the verb to emphasize the significant degree of reduction. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reduce substantially" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that conveys a significant decrease. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is suitable for various contexts, ranging from scientific reports to news articles. To use it effectively, ensure that the context clearly defines what is being reduced and the extent of the reduction. While versatile, consider synonyms like ""lessen significantly"" or ""decrease considerably"" for nuanced expression. Common mistakes involve overstating the level of reduction, so accuracy is key. The phrase's prevalence in authoritative sources underscores its reliability and appropriateness for formal and professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lessen significantly

Emphasizes the act of making something less to a considerable degree.

decrease considerably

Highlights the reduction in amount or size to a noteworthy extent.

diminish greatly

Focuses on the reduction in size, importance, or intensity to a large degree.

lower significantly

Stresses the act of bringing something down to a notably lower level.

markedly curtail

Emphasizes the act of cutting something short or reducing it in a noticeable way.

drastically cut back

Highlights a severe or radical reduction in something.

significantly alleviate

Emphasizes the act of making suffering, deficiency, or a problem less severe to a considerable degree.

notably abate

Focuses on the reduction in intensity or degree of something in a noticeable way.

largely minimize

Emphasizes the act of reducing something to the smallest possible amount to a large extent.

considerably shrink

Highlights the reduction in size or extent to a significant degree.

FAQs

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

You can use "reduce substantially" to describe a significant decrease in something. For example, "The company aimed to "reduce substantially" its carbon footprint through sustainable practices."

What are some alternatives to "reduce substantially"?

Alternatives include "lessen significantly", "decrease considerably", or "diminish greatly". The choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "reduce substantially" or "decrease significantly"?

Both "reduce substantially" and "decrease significantly" are correct and convey a similar meaning. The best choice depends on personal preference and the overall tone of your writing. They are nearly interchangeable.

What's the difference between "reduce substantially" and "eliminate completely"?

"Reduce substantially" implies a significant decrease, but not complete removal. "Eliminate completely" means to remove entirely. For example, a new policy might "reduce substantially" errors, while automation might "eliminate completely" a specific type of manual task.