reduce the role

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reduce the role" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe the process of decreasing the importance or influence of something or someone in a particular situation. Example: The company's new restructuring plan aims to reduce the role of middle management and empower front-line employees to make more decisions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And it said the E.P.A. must act to reduce the role of particulates in haze.

The New York Times - Science

Mr. Bloomberg, however, said that nonpartisan elections would reduce the role of party bosses.

The New York Times

The plan could also reduce the role of the European Commission, the bloc's executive arm.

The New York Times

The counter-trend of recent years has been to reduce the role of government.

The Economist

He thinks a covered bond market could reduce the role of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The New York Times

Mr. Brown, a petroleum engineer, campaigned on a pledge to reduce the role of government in people's lives.

The New York Times

One aim is to reduce the role that the United States plays as an omnipotent foreign occupier.

The New York Times

He tried to reduce the role of the state in the economy and the government's surveillance of citizens.

The Guardian

Their policy aim is to reduce the role of the state in the economy and boost private sector profits.

The Guardian - Opinion

These changes, if Bush can get them, will substantially reduce the role of the federal government in American life.

The New Yorker

And there is great, if largely untapped, enthusiasm for the populist crusade to reduce the role of money in politics.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to "reduce the role" of something, clearly define what aspects of that role are being diminished to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming the audience understands the intended outcome when you "reduce the role" of something. Explicitly state the new function or replacement for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduce the role" functions as a verb phrase that often introduces a description of actions aimed at decreasing the significance, authority, or involvement of a subject within a defined context. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is widely used across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reduce the role" is a versatile expression used to indicate a decrease in the importance, influence, or involvement of a specific entity or concept. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal settings. The phrase's purpose is to signal a strategic shift, often aimed at improving efficiency or adopting alternative approaches. When using "reduce the role", it's important to clearly define the aspects being diminished to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "lessen the importance" or "decrease the influence". Avoid assuming implied understanding; explicitly state the new function or replacement for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lessen the importance

Replaces "role" with "importance", focusing on the degree of relevance.

decrease the influence

Emphasizes the power dynamic by using "influence" instead of "role".

diminish the significance

Changes the noun from "role" to "significance", emphasizing importance rather than function.

curtail the involvement

Substitutes "reduce the role" with "curtail the involvement", suggesting a limitation of participation.

scale back the participation

Replaces the concept of role by using "scale back" implying the participation.

minimize the impact

Focuses on the effect or consequence rather than the function.

moderate the contribution

Changes the phrase to indicate control over the degree of participation or input.

downsize the part

Uses "downsize" to suggest a reduction in size or scope of the "part" something plays.

weaken the effect

Shifts the focus to the effect something has, rather than its function.

attenuate the function

Uses a more formal term "attenuate" and focuses on the "function" aspect.

FAQs

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

You can use "reduce the role" to indicate a decrease in importance or influence, such as, "The company decided to reduce the role of middle management in decision-making."

What is a synonym for "reduce the role"?

Synonyms for "reduce the role" include "diminish the significance", "lessen the importance", or "decrease the influence".

Is it better to say "reduce the role of" or "lessen the importance of"?

Both "reduce the role of" and "lessen the importance of" are grammatically correct, but their suitability depends on the context. "Reduce the role of" is best when referring to a specific function or part, while "lessen the importance of" is more general.

What does it mean to "reduce the role of government"?

To "reduce the role of government" means to decrease the government's involvement or influence in specific areas, such as the economy or healthcare.