reduce the amount

USAGE SUMMARY

"reduce the amount" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to communicate the idea of making something smaller or fewer in number. For example: "We need to reduce the amount of waste we produce every day."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

These changes reduce the amount of bending.

The New York Times

The changes reduce the amount of bending.

The New York Times

This could reduce the amount of speculative trading in particular.

The Guardian - Opinion

Reduce the amount of plastic we use throughout the week.

Stanford University

Reduce the amount of spam in your inbox.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Can we reduce the amount of space we're using?

Harvard Business Review

Injecting nitrogen can reduce the amount of hydrogen and oxygen.

The New York Times

It does not reduce the amount that borrowers owe.

The New York Times

The idea is to reduce the amount.

University of Chicago

Reduce the amount of information you collect.

Forbes

Reduce the amount of waste you create.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advising someone to use less of something, specify what exactly they should "reduce the amount" of for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "reduce the amount" without specifying what the amount refers to. Always clarify what is being reduced to prevent confusion. For example, instead of saying "We need to reduce the amount", specify "We need to reduce the amount of plastic waste".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduce the amount" serves as a directive, typically used to advise or instruct someone to lessen the quantity, size, or degree of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use across a range of scenarios, from reducing waste to minimizing information collection.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

36%

News & Media

30%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reduce the amount" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to advocate for a decrease in quantity, size, or degree across various contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely accepted and used in writing. Its prevalence in Wiki articles, News & Media, and Academia demonstrates its broad applicability. To use it effectively, ensure that the object being reduced is clearly specified to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "decrease the quantity" or "lessen the volume" exist, "reduce the amount" remains a clear and direct choice for communicating the need for reduction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decrease the quantity

Replaces 'amount' with 'quantity', focusing on numerical reduction.

lessen the volume

Substitutes 'amount' with 'volume', suitable for measurable quantities.

cut back on the level

Uses 'cut back' to indicate reduction and 'level' in place of 'amount'.

minimize the extent

Replaces 'reduce' with 'minimize' and 'amount' with 'extent'.

trim the proportion

Employs 'trim' to suggest a slight reduction and 'proportion' for relative size.

curtail the degree

Uses 'curtail' for reduction and 'degree' as a measure.

lower the intensity

Suggests reducing strength or force, replacing 'amount' with 'intensity'.

shrink the size

Implies making something physically smaller, using 'size' instead of 'amount'.

diminish the magnitude

Focuses on reducing significance or impact, substituting 'amount' with 'magnitude'.

alleviate the burden

Addresses reducing weight or pressure, using 'burden' in place of 'amount'.

FAQs

How can I use "reduce the amount" in a sentence?

You can use "reduce the amount" to suggest lowering the quantity of something. For example, "We need to reduce the amount of sugar in our diet" or "The company aims to reduce the amount of carbon emissions".

What are some alternatives to saying "reduce the amount"?

Alternatives include "decrease the quantity", "lessen the volume", or "minimize the extent", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "reduce the amount of" or "decrease the amount of"?

Both "reduce the amount of" and "decrease the amount of" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice often depends on personal preference or stylistic considerations.

How does "reduce the amount" compare to "cut back on"?

"Reduce the amount" is a more formal way of saying "cut back on". While both phrases suggest decreasing something, "reduce the amount" is often used in more serious or official contexts.