reduce the scope

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reduce the scope" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the limitation or narrowing down of a project, task, or subject matter. Example: "To make the project more manageable, we decided to reduce the scope and focus on the most critical features."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Another approach is to reduce the scope of your search.

The New York Times - Tech

"These negotiations will reduce the scope of the W.T.O.'s influence," he said.

The New York Times

Narrowing the domain can reduce the scope of the algorithmic challenge to start.

Harvard Business Review

Another reason may be that trading costs reduce the scope for profits.

The Economist

Mr Howard also wants to reduce the scope for early release and parole.

The Economist

American policy makers might consider global taxation treaties, to reduce the scope for tax competition.

The New York Times

MPs who become ministers must resign from parliament, to reduce the scope for pork-barrel politics.

The Economist

This would reduce the scope for Russia, or anyone else, to pick off vulnerable countries.

The Economist

Prosecutors cut back their original indictment after judges ordered them to reduce the scope of their case.

The New York Times

But many fear his new justice minister, Alexandre de Moraes, will reduce the scope of federal police activities.

The Guardian

Such shareholder activism, over time, may reduce the scope and incidence of golden parachute payouts to top corporate executives.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When planning a project, proactively identify areas where you can "reduce the scope" to ensure timely completion and efficient resource allocation.

Common error

Avoid vaguely stating that you will "reduce the scope" without specifying which aspects will be reduced. Always provide concrete details about the specific elements being scaled down to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduce the scope" functions as a verb phrase, where 'reduce' acts as a transitive verb and 'the scope' serves as its direct object. It describes the action of lessening or diminishing the extent of something. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reduce the scope" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates the act of limiting the extent or range of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. It is commonly found in news, science, and formal business contexts. To ensure clarity, specify which aspects are being reduced. Alternatives include "lessen the scope" and "narrow the focus". Understanding its usage helps in effective communication and project management.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lessen the scope

Uses 'lessen' as a synonym for 'reduce', implying a decrease in extent.

narrow the focus

Shifts from 'scope' to 'focus', suggesting a concentration on specific aspects.

limit the extent

Replaces 'scope' with 'extent', indicating a boundary or confine.

constrain the boundaries

Uses 'constrain' and 'boundaries' to suggest setting limits.

scale down the project

Specifically refers to a 'project' and uses 'scale down' to mean reduce.

cut back the extent

Emphasizes reduction using 'cut back' and refers to 'extent'.

curtail the breadth

Employs 'curtail' and 'breadth' to imply a shortening of range.

restrict the range

Focuses on 'range' to mean the area covered and 'restrict' for limitation.

diminish the size

Replaces 'scope' with 'size', indicating a reduction in magnitude.

condense the subject matter

Uses 'condense' to mean compress and refers to 'subject matter'.

FAQs

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

You can use "reduce the scope" to indicate that you are limiting the extent of something. For example: "To make the project more manageable, we decided to "reduce the scope" and focus on the most critical features."

What are some alternatives to "reduce the scope"?

Alternatives include "lessen the scope", "narrow the focus", or "limit the extent", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to "reduce the scope" or "expand the scope" of a project?

Whether to "reduce the scope" or "expand the scope" depends entirely on the project's goals, resources, and timeline. Reducing the scope can help ensure timely completion and efficient resource use, while expanding the scope may allow for more comprehensive results but requires more resources.

What does it mean to "reduce the scope creep"?

"Scope creep" refers to uncontrolled changes or additions to a project's scope. To "reduce the scope creep" means to implement strategies to minimize these unplanned additions and keep the project focused on its original objectives. This can be done by implementing strict change control procedures and carefully managing stakeholder expectations.