reducing by one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reducing by one" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are describing a decrease in quantity or value by a single unit. Example: "To simplify the equation, we will be reducing by one the number of variables involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Using a snatch block allowed reducing by one quarter the frequency of wounded trees, which dropped from 50%to36%6%.

Ecological Engineering

Two options were then evaluated: i) reducing by one fifth of the number of filter sterilizations before renewing the filters, ii) designing new UHT-aseptic lines without an aseptic tank, i.e. without a storage period after the thermal process and before filling.

International Journal of Food Microbiology

Because these data were not available in our study, the scoring system was adapted by reducing by one point the cutoff value for high-risk participants.

Diabetes Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Last month, with oil prices rising, President Obama announced the goal of reducing by one-third America's reliance on foreign oil by 2025.

The New Yorker

The erotic and hard-hitting phrases are part of a down-to-earth campaign aimed at reducing by one-half the rate of infection from H.I.V., the virus that causes AIDS, in South Africa in five years.

The New York Times

Senator Tom Coburn, Republican of Oklahoma, advocates saving $69.5 billion over 10 years by reducing by one-third the number of American military personnel stationed in Europe and Asia "This option would leave plenty of military capability by maintaining strategic air bases and naval ports to provide logistics links," Mr. Coburn wrote in a report on his budget proposals.

The New York Times

The rules, which take effect on Jan . 4 will reduce by one hour a driver's maximum workday, including driving, loading and unloading, making it 14 hours.

The New York Times

The Pata Honda rider broke clear on lap seven of a race that was reduced by one lap to 17 due to heavy rainfall.

The Guardian - Sport

On average the number of non-responders was reduced by one third.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Unfortunately, the non-compromise he floated does not reduce by one penny the amount of money he would force Catholics to spend on those items.

Huffington Post

Army officials had previously said the timeline would be reduced by one year, to 2011.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reducing by one", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being reduced. For example, specify "reducing the number of errors by one" rather than just "reducing by one".

Common error

Avoid using "reducing by one" without specifying the unit or quantity being reduced. This can lead to confusion. Always provide clear context to ensure the meaning is understood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reducing by one" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a gerund phrase when used as a noun (e.g., as a subject or object). It describes the act of diminishing something by a single unit. As Ludwig AI shows, this can apply in different domains.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reducing by one" is a grammatically sound and usable gerund phrase that describes the act of decreasing a quantity by a single unit. Ludwig AI shows that this expression is most frequently found in scientific and news contexts. While fairly straightforward, clarity is key when using this phrase: ensure the context makes it clear what is being reduced. Alternatives include phrases such as "decreasing by one" or "subtracting one", which can be selected based on desired tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decreasing by one

Replacing "reducing" with "decreasing" maintains the meaning of diminishing a quantity by a single unit.

diminishing by one

Using "diminishing" instead of "reducing" offers a more formal tone while still indicating a decrease of one.

subtracting one

"Subtracting one" emphasizes the mathematical operation of taking away a single unit.

deducting one

"Deducting one" suggests a formal or accounting context where a unit is being removed.

lessening by one

"Lessening by one" provides a softer, less direct way of saying something is being reduced.

taking away one

"Taking away one" is a more casual and descriptive way to express reducing by one.

cutting back by one

"Cutting back by one" implies a deliberate effort to reduce something, often in a budgetary or resource management context.

lowering by one

"Lowering by one" suggests a decrease in level or amount by a single increment.

trimming by one

"Trimming by one" evokes the image of making a small, precise reduction.

paring down by one

"Paring down by one" suggests reducing something to its essential elements by removing a single unit.

FAQs

What does "reducing by one" mean?

The phrase "reducing by one" means to decrease a quantity or value by a single unit. It implies a subtraction of one from the original amount.

How can I use "reducing by one" in a sentence?

You can use "reducing by one" to describe a decrease in a specific quantity. For example, "By implementing this new strategy, we are "reducing by one" the number of steps in the process".

What are some alternatives to "reducing by one"?

Alternatives to "reducing by one" include "decreasing by one", "diminishing by one", or "subtracting one". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "reducing by one" or "decrease by one"?

Both "reducing by one" and "decrease by one" are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. The choice often depends on the style and context of your writing. You could also consider "lowering by one" if suitable.