reduce to zero

USAGE SUMMARY

"reduce to zero" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something needs to be reduced to zero or has been reduced to zero. For example, "The mayor has vowed to reduce carbon emissions to zero in the next year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Given that some emissions, such as those from aviation and agriculture, will be very difficult to reduce to zero, that means removing some carbon from the atmosphere.

The Guardian

Some comments from our website: That should reduce to zero the number of candidates willing to take on headships in city schools.

The Guardian

Those who make up to twice these amounts can receive a credit of 10percentt or 20percentt of what they save, but only if they owe income taxes, which the credit can reduce to zero.

The New York Times

The fund was presented the Stars of Madison Avenue award during Advertising Week last month at an event at which executives from the fund outlined their next project, Believe in Zero, a campaign meant to reduce to zero the number of children (an estimated 25,000) who die each day of preventable diseases like malaria and measles.

The New York Times

Sequences {Δ k }and {μ k }are chosen appropriately to reduce to zero.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

By defining regime, the above two terms will reduce to zero.

Advances in Difference Equations

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

They are expected to reduce to four divisions from six.

The New York Times

"His legitimacy has been reduced to zero".

The New York Times

At some point, it reduces to zero.

The New York Times - Magazine

First, fermentation time has been reduced to zero (pdf).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The credibility of the announcement had been reduced to zero.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for impactful communication, use "reduce to zero" to clearly state a goal of complete elimination, as in, "The company aims to reduce its carbon footprint to zero by 2030."

Common error

Avoid using "reduce to zero" when a significant reduction, but not complete elimination, is intended. For instance, instead of saying "We will reduce errors to zero", opt for "We will significantly reduce errors" if some errors are still possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduce to zero" functions as a verb phrase with a prepositional phrase, typically used to denote the action of diminishing something until it reaches an absolute null state. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

26%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reduce to zero" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression, indicating the complete elimination or negation of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility is evident across various domains, from scientific research to news reporting. While often used to set ambitious targets, such as in environmental or business contexts, it's crucial to consider the feasibility of achieving complete elimination. Alternatives like ""eliminate completely"" or ""decrease to nothing"" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context and intention. The phrase maintains a neutral to formal register, fitting well in professional and academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eliminate completely

Emphasizes the thorough removal of something, highlighting the completeness of the action.

eradicate completely

Suggests a systematic and thorough removal of something, like a disease or a pest.

wipe out entirely

Focuses on complete obliteration or eradication, leading to the absence of something.

decrease to nothing

Focuses on the gradual decline of something until it vanishes entirely.

obliterate fully

Highlights the total and irreversible removal of something.

lower to nil

Suggests a deliberate action to bring something down to a zero value or level.

extinguish totally

Emphasizes the act of completely putting an end to something, like a fire or a hope.

bring to naught

Highlights the futility or ineffectiveness of something, leading to a zero result.

nullify entirely

Stresses the act of making something invalid or without effect, resulting in a zero outcome.

shrink to insignificance

Focuses on the reduction of something's importance or impact to a negligible level.

FAQs

How can I use "reduce to zero" in a sentence?

You can use "reduce to zero" to express the goal of complete elimination or negation of something. For instance, "The project aims to "eliminate completely" errors in the system" or "We must "decrease to nothing" our reliance on fossil fuels."

What phrases can I use instead of "reduce to zero"?

Alternatives to "reduce to zero" include phrases like ""eliminate completely"", ""decrease to nothing"", or "lower to nil", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always realistic to aim to "reduce to zero"?

While "reduce to zero" sets an ambitious goal, it's essential to consider the feasibility and context. In some situations, achieving complete elimination might be impractical, and focusing on significant reduction might be a more realistic and attainable objective.

Which is more appropriate: "reduce to zero" or "minimize"?

"Reduce to zero" implies complete elimination, whereas "minimize" suggests reducing something to the lowest possible level, which might not be zero. The choice depends on the specific goal and context. If complete elimination is not realistic, then using "minimize" is more appropriate.