reduces

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reduces" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of making something smaller, less in amount, or less intense. Example: "The new policy significantly reduces the amount of waste produced by the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It adds another layer of security and greatly reduces your risk of being compromised.

The Guardian - Tech

SnoreStop, a company who boasts the number one position in sales of throat spray that reduces snoring, has unveiled a billboard that "is part of a larger marketing campaign".

The Guardian - Opinion

It is widely accepted that following these rules reduces copycat suicides.

The Guardian - Opinion

This not only reduces distressing psychological symptoms but also helps students to function better at university.

The Guardian

Consequently an hour of light at evening rush hour reduces risk for more drivers and pedestrians than an hour of light during the shorter morning rush hour, when there are fewer road users than at the end of the working day".

The Guardian

While proclaiming the virtues of flexibility in Europe, he has glued himself into a position that reduces his chances of remaining as prime minister.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Oxford Mindfulness Centre, part of the University of Oxford's department of psychiatry, has found that the MBCT course reduces the risk of relapse into depression by 44%.

The Guardian

The group also called on the government to "substantially widen" the "woefully inadequate" availability of MBCT on the NHS for adults with a history of depression on the basis that it "significantly reduces risk of relapse".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Football reduces the risk of heart and lung disease and diabetes by lowering blood pressure and body fat, improving cholesterol levels and the efficiency of the heart.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Indeed, some research suggests that parental disapproval reduces alcohol consumption.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We believe the Environmental Protection Agency should be abolished... Energy Strategy – We encourage a comprehensive energy policy that allows more development of domestic energy sources and reduces our need for foreign energy.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, specify what exactly is being reduced and the extent of the reduction. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "reduces" excessively in overly complex sentences, which can make the sentence difficult to understand. Simplify your sentence structure for better readability.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "reduces" is that of a transitive verb in the third-person singular present tense. It indicates an action performed by a subject on an object, causing a decrease or diminution of that object. Ludwig confirms this usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Lifestyle

14%

Business

6%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "reduces" functions as a grammatically sound and frequently used verb, as validated by Ludwig. Its primary role is to denote a decrease in quantity, size, or intensity, and it commonly appears in contexts such as news, lifestyle, and business. When using "reduces", ensure clarity by specifying what's being diminished and the degree of reduction. While versatile, avoid overuse in complex sentences to maintain readability. Alternatives like "decreases" and "lessens" can provide nuanced substitutions. Based on a wide range of examples, Ludwig confirms its correct and widespread applicability in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decreases

Emphasizes a gradual decline or lessening.

lessens

Suggests a weakening or diminishing of something, often in terms of impact or intensity.

diminishes

Implies a gradual decrease in size, importance, or intensity.

lowers

Focuses on a decrease in height, level, or amount.

curtails

Suggests limiting or cutting short something.

abates

Implies a lessening of intensity or severity, often used for pain or storms.

mitigates

Highlights the lessening of severity or impact, especially of something negative.

alleviates

Emphasizes the easing of pain or distress.

weakens

Highlights the diminishing of strength or power.

restricts

Focuses on limiting or controlling something.

FAQs

How can I use "reduces" in a sentence?

Use "reduces" to indicate a decrease in quantity, size, or intensity. For instance, "Exercise "reduces" stress levels".

What are some alternatives to using "reduces"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "decreases", "lessens", or "diminishes".

Is it correct to say "reduces down"?

While not strictly incorrect, "reduces down" can be redundant. Using just ""reduces"" is often more concise and grammatically sound.

What's the difference between "reduces" and "mitigates"?

"Reduces" generally means to make something smaller or less, while "mitigates" implies lessening the severity or impact of something negative.