reduce the size of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reduce the size of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of making something smaller or less extensive, such as in documents, images, or physical objects. Example: "To improve loading times, we need to reduce the size of the images on our website."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

3. Reduce the size of the Games.

The New York Times - Sports

Suppliers would reduce the size of their packaging.

The New York Times

again, Nascar could reduce the size of restrictor plates.

The New York Times - Sports

Another would reduce the size of the sales.

The New York Times

One obvious remedy is to reduce the size of fields.

The New York Times

The company has been trying to reduce the size of the unit's operation.

The New York Times

The patient had surgery to reduce the size of the mass and started chemotherapy.

The New York Times

He wanted to cut taxes, reduce the size of government, and repeal Obamacare.

The New Yorker

"The last thing you want to do is reduce the size of the building," he said.

The New York Times

"To reduce the size of the piece would lessen its impact," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

Chemicals allow growers to increase or reduce the size of plants.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for brevity and efficiency, use "reduce the size of" to clearly indicate the act of making something smaller, whether it's data, a physical object, or an organization.

Common error

Avoid using overly complex or technical language when the simple phrase "reduce the size of" will suffice. Clarity is key in effective communication, especially when discussing size reductions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduce the size of" functions as a verb phrase that describes the act of making something smaller. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. Examples from Ludwig show its application in various contexts, from reducing file sizes to government operations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reduce the size of" is a versatile and widely used expression for describing the action of making something smaller. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct. Its grammatical function is that of a verb phrase, and it is suitable for various contexts, from news reports to scientific papers. While alternatives like "decrease the size of" exist, "reduce the size of" remains a clear and effective choice. It is important to use this phrase in contexts where clarity and conciseness are valued, avoiding overly complex language. With a "Very common" frequency and strong support from authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Washington Post, this phrase is a reliable option for expressing the concept of size reduction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decrease the size of

Replaces "reduce" with "decrease", offering a direct synonym with similar implications.

lessen the size of

Substitutes "reduce" with "lessen", conveying a slightly gentler or more gradual reduction.

cut down the size of

Uses "cut down" instead of "reduce", implying a more forceful or abrupt reduction.

diminish the size of

Employs "diminish" in place of "reduce", suggesting a gradual decrease in size or importance.

shrink the size of

Replaces "reduce" with "shrink", often used for physical objects becoming smaller.

scale down the size of

Uses "scale down" to mean reducing proportionally or in relation to something else.

truncate the size of

Suggests cutting off or shortening something, leading to a reduction in size.

abbreviate the size of

Implies shortening or condensing, which indirectly reduces the size.

downsize the size of

Using downsize suggests a reduction in the number of employees. Commonly used in business context.

minimize the size of

Suggests reducing something to the smallest possible size or degree.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "reduce the size of"?

You can use alternatives like "decrease the size of", "lessen the size of", or "cut down the size of" depending on the context.

How do I use "reduce the size of" in a sentence?

Use "reduce the size of" to describe the action of making something smaller, for example: "We need to reduce the size of the budget" or "The goal is to reduce the size of the file for easier sharing."

When is it appropriate to use "reduce the size of" in writing?

It's appropriate in any context where you want to clearly state that something is being made smaller, whether physically, digitally, or conceptually. The phrase is versatile and widely understood.

What's the difference between "reduce the size of" and "minimize the size of"?

While both phrases indicate making something smaller, "reduce the size of" generally means making something smaller to some extent, while "minimize the size of" implies making it as small as possible.