reduce the debt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reduce the debt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing financial matters, particularly in the context of lowering the amount owed or managing financial obligations. Example: "The government has implemented new policies aimed at reducing the debt to improve the country's economic stability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We have to reduce the debt itself.

The Washington Post

This money is to reduce the debt of our children".

The New York Times

The avowed purpose of the act was to reduce the debt of the state.

Cornell University

That deal might have brought in up to $1 billion to reduce the debt.

The New York Times

But most of today's discussion revolved around the Republican proposal to reduce the debt.

The New York Times

By contrast, Mr. Bush's plan would reduce the debt by at most $1 trillion.

The New York Times

And he said there was enough money available to cut taxes and reduce the debt.

The New York Times

It may all be meaningless, however, if Mr. Levin cannot reduce the debt.

The New York Times

Be sure to mark it "gift to reduce the debt held by the public".

The New York Times

They will have no realistic proposal to reduce the debt or sustain the welfare state.

The New York Times

It may be a noble ambition to reduce the debt burden of future generations.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing strategies for "reduce the debt", clearly specify the type of debt (e.g., national debt, student debt, corporate debt) to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "reduce the debt" interchangeably with "reduce the deficit". The deficit is the annual shortfall in government revenue, while the debt is the accumulation of past deficits. Reducing the deficit can contribute to reducing the debt over time, but they are distinct concepts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduce the debt" primarily functions as a verb phrase where "reduce" acts as the verb and "the debt" as its direct object. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically sound and widely used. Examples show its role in describing actions taken to lower financial obligations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reduce the debt" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression, primarily found in news, academic, and business contexts. It signifies actions taken to lower financial obligations. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is well-regarded and widely employed in various reputable sources. While alternatives like "decrease the debt" and "lower the debt" exist, "reduce the debt" remains a clear and effective way to communicate the goal of decreasing financial liabilities. When using this phrase, specifying the type of debt is crucial for clarity, and it's important to distinguish between debt reduction and deficit reduction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decrease the debt

Direct synonym, focusing on the act of lessening the debt amount.

lower the debt

Implies bringing the debt to a smaller amount.

alleviate the debt

Suggests making the debt less burdensome or severe.

mitigate the debt

Similar to 'alleviate', it highlights reducing the negative impact of the debt.

lessen the debt burden

Focuses on diminishing the burden associated with the debt.

shrink the debt

Uses a more visual term to describe reducing the size of the debt.

cut the debt

Emphasizes a swift and decisive reduction in debt.

bring down the debt

Implies a gradual process of reducing the debt over time.

curtail the debt

Suggests limiting or restricting the further accumulation of debt.

service the debt efficiently

Focuses on managing and paying off the debt effectively.

FAQs

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

You can use "reduce the debt" in sentences discussing financial strategies, such as: "The government implemented new policies to "reduce the debt"." or "The company aimed to "reduce the debt" by selling assets."

What are some alternative phrases for "reduce the debt"?

Alternatives include "decrease the debt", "lower the debt", or "alleviate the debt", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "reducing the debt"?

Yes, "reducing the debt" is grammatically correct. It functions as a gerund phrase, often used as a subject or object in a sentence, such as "Reducing the debt is a priority for the government."

What is the difference between "reduce the debt" and "eliminate the debt"?

"Reduce the debt" implies lowering the amount owed, while "eliminate the debt" means completely paying off or cancelling the debt, resulting in a zero balance.