reduce usage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reduce usage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the need to decrease the consumption or application of something, such as resources or technology. Example: "To promote sustainability, we need to reduce usage of single-use plastics in our daily lives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

And by how much do hosepipe bans reduce usage?

Independent

It says local authorities spent £1m clearing them up and expects the charge to reduce usage by 90%.

The Guardian

A House of Lords report on 3 May recommended that water bills increase to help reduce usage.

The Guardian

Using dynamic pricing or peak-usage thresholds to reduce usage is a perfectly sound idea.

The Economist

Researchers, however, say there are relatively simple fixes Airbnb could make but that the firm may be resistant to adopt – out of fear that it would reduce usage.

The Guardian - Tech

The call to customers to voluntarily reduce usage wherever possible came as the supply squeeze was made worse by production problems at Troll, a Norwegian North Sea gas field.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

As of December, some of the smallest reductions had been made near Los Angeles, where communities along the coast reduced usage by just 1.4%, according to the Associated Press.

The Guardian

In the past year, it has focussed on reducing usage associated with landscaping, by removing patches of grass from low-traffic areas and letting some of the landscaping between the slides desiccate and brown.

The New Yorker

On the other hand, operating a USDA certified organic or pasture-based operation reduced usage.

Agricultural and Food Economics

tawkon (as in, "talk on") created a sophisticated mobile technology allowing users to minimize exposure to mobile phone radiation with- out reducing usage.

TechCrunch

San Juan says its customers met their conservation obligation by reducing usage by 34% from June through February.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to "reduce usage", be specific about what is being reduced. For instance, instead of saying "reduce usage", specify "reduce water usage" or "reduce energy usage".

Common error

Avoid using "reduce usage" without specifying the resource or item. Saying "We need to reduce usage" lacks clarity. Instead, clarify by stating "We need to reduce our data usage" or "We must reduce our plastic usage".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "reduce usage" is as a verb phrase acting as a directive or recommendation. It is commonly used to suggest or instruct the act of lessening the amount of something being used. Ludwig AI affirms this usage through its examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

32%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reduce usage" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to advocate for decreasing the consumption or application of various resources. As Ludwig AI confirms, its purpose is generally to promote efficiency, conservation, or sustainability. It is most frequently found in news and media and scientific contexts, with a neutral register suitable for diverse communication scenarios. When using "reduce usage", it is important to specify the resource or item being reduced for clarity. Alternatives such as "decrease consumption" or "minimize use" can be employed to add nuance or variety to writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decrease consumption

Focuses on the act of consuming less.

lower consumption

Emphasizes a downward trend in consumption.

minimize use

Highlights the effort to use something as little as possible.

curtail use

Suggests a restriction or limitation on use.

cut back on consumption

Implies a deliberate reduction in the amount consumed.

diminish consumption

Focuses on gradually lessening the amount consumed.

scale down usage

Indicates a reduction in the scale or extent of use.

restrict usage

Highlights limiting or controlling the amount of use.

limit consumption

Emphasizes setting a maximum amount for consumption.

moderate use

Suggests using something in a balanced and controlled way.

FAQs

How can I use "reduce usage" in a sentence?

You can use "reduce usage" to describe efforts to decrease consumption of resources or use of certain items. For instance, "The company implemented new policies to "reduce usage" of paper in the office".

What is a good alternative to "reduce usage"?

Alternatives include "decrease consumption", "minimize use", or "lower consumption", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "reduce usage" or "lower usage"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "reduce usage" is more common. "Lower usage" is also correct but may sound slightly less formal. Choose the phrase that best fits the tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "reduce usage" and "reduce consumption"?

"Reduce usage" is a broader term that can apply to anything being used, while "reduce consumption" typically refers to decreasing the amount of something that is consumed, such as resources like water or energy. Often, they are interchangeable, but "consumption" has a connotation of depleting resources.