reduced the gap

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reduced the gap" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where something or someone decreases the difference between two things. For example: "The fundraising efforts of the charity drastically reduced the gap between the amount of money needed and the amount of money donated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Market competition has not reduced the gap.

The New York Times - Books

Cartwright reduced the gap to six points at the break with a chip and chase.

The Guardian - Sport

Earlier, the revolution reduced the gap between the rich and poor.

The New Yorker

Bradford were far from done, though, and reduced the gap just three minutes later.

The Guardian - Sport

Steve Evans' try in the corner, accompanied with some handbags with Wigan's Brian Dunn, reduced the gap, even though Crooks would again miss the two points.

The Guardian - Sport

Madrid's win keeps them in third place and reduced the gap with Barcelona to 12 points before the league leaders host Osasuna on Sunday evening.

The Guardian - Sport

But only two states, Georgia and Massachusetts, reduced the gap between white students and black or Hispanic students in fourth-grade math.

The New York Times

The closet Trump has come was in the second week of September, when he reduced the gap to 3.9 points, but it soon widened again.

The New Yorker

Minnesota's nail-biting 3-2 victory before a raucous crowd of 42,126 at the Metrodome reduced the gap to a half-game.

The New York Times - Sports

"We are hoping those with the purse strings will revisit their budgets," Mr. Farmer said, "because we have effectively reduced the gap by $16 million".

The New York Times

Joe Conway, a spokesman for Gov. George E. Pataki, said New York had reduced the gap between rich and poor schools by 23percentt since 1997, faster than the national average of 15percentt.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reduced the gap", ensure that the context clearly identifies what two elements the gap exists between. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "reduced the gap" without indicating the magnitude or significance of the reduction. Provide specific metrics or qualitative descriptions to show the impact of the change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduced the gap" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence. It typically acts as the predicate, describing an action that has resulted in a decreased difference between two or more entities. Examples from Ludwig show its use in describing score differences in sports, economic disparities, and educational achievements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reduced the gap" is a versatile expression used to indicate a decrease in the difference between two or more entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in a variety of contexts, including news, science, and business. Its semantic function is to describe that disparities or differences have been lessened and can be replaced with similar phrases like "narrowed the divide" or "decreased the difference". When employing "reduced the gap", it's essential to provide context as to what elements comprise the gap and, ideally, quantify the reduction for clarity. Therefore, this phrase helps you clearly convey progress and change, while avoiding ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decreased the difference

Focuses on the numerical or measurable aspect of lessening the separation.

narrowed the divide

Implies bringing two entities closer, often used in abstract contexts.

lessened the disparity

Emphasizes making unequal things more equal.

bridged the gap

Suggests creating a connection or solution that overcomes the difference.

shortened the distance

Suggests reducing the length or extent of the separation.

minimized the space

Focuses on the physical or metaphorical area between two things.

eased the inequality

Highlights the reduction of unfairness or imbalance.

alleviated the discrepancy

Emphasizes the easing of a perceived inconsistency or contradiction.

brought closer together

A more general term indicating a decrease in separation.

rectified the imbalance

Focuses on correcting or adjusting the lack of balance between two things.

FAQs

How can I use "reduced the gap" in a sentence?

You can use "reduced the gap" to describe situations where a difference between two things has become smaller. For example, "The new policy "reduced the gap" between rich and poor students".

What is a good alternative to "reduced the gap"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "narrowed the divide", "decreased the difference", or "bridged the gap".

Is it better to say "reduced the gap" or "narrowed the gap"?

Both "reduced the gap" and "narrowed the gap" are correct, but the best choice depends on the specific context. "Reduced" emphasizes the act of decreasing the difference, while "narrowed" focuses on making the space between things smaller. Both "reduced the gap" and "narrowed the gap" are semantically interchangeable.

In what contexts is "reduced the gap" commonly used?

"Reduced the gap" is frequently used in contexts related to economics, sports, education, and social issues, to describe a decrease in disparities or differences. Refer to Ludwig's examples for more examples.