reducing the need

USAGE SUMMARY

"reducing the need" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used when discussing ways to decrease or minimize the requirement for something or someone. Here is an example: "Implementing sustainable practices in our daily lives is crucial for reducing the need for non-renewable resources and protecting the environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Bug-eating bats are thus a boon to farmers there, reducing the need for insecticides.

The New York Times - Science

None of those measures is probably as effective as simply reducing the need for soldiers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Plant-distress chemicals could be used to prime plant defenses, reducing the need for pesticides.

The New Yorker

Might genetic engineering be of use in reducing the need for pretreatment?

The New York Times - Science

Others eliminate harmful high-spectrum blue light, reducing the need for sunglasses.

The New York Times

A tax on electricity would presumably reduce emissions by reducing the need for power generation.

University of California, Berkeley

Knowledge Management provides efficiency by reducing the need to rediscover knowledge.

Stanford University

Prevention is one way of reducing the need for kidney transplants, acknowledged Noël.

Harvard University

It could be used to build goods locally, reducing the need for mass freight.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

We're also helping the company to reduce its overall spend by reducing the need to travel.

Forbes

So, it is marginally effective in reducing the need for bypass therapy.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to use the phrase "reducing the need", ensure the context clearly indicates what is becoming less necessary. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "reducing the need" without specifying what need is being reduced. Vague statements can lack impact and confuse your audience. For example, instead of "Technology is reducing the need", say "Technology is reducing the need for manual data entry".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reducing the need" functions as a gerund phrase that acts as a noun, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. This usage is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its grammatical correctness. It describes the action of lessening a requirement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

32%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reducing the need" is a grammatically sound and frequently used gerund phrase. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and prevalence across various sources. It serves to highlight the act of lessening a requirement. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. To ensure effective communication, remember to specify what need is being reduced for clarity. Alternatives like "lessening the necessity" or "minimizing the requirement" can be employed for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lessening the necessity

This alternative uses synonyms for 'reducing' and 'need', offering a slightly more formal tone.

minimizing the requirement

This phrase replaces 'need' with 'requirement' emphasizing a decrease in mandatory actions.

obviating the requirement

Using 'obviating' provides a more formal and direct way of expressing the elimination of a requirement.

mitigating the necessity

This version utilizes "mitigating" to convey the idea of making the necessity less severe or intense.

decreasing the demand

This alternative focuses on lowering the 'demand' for something, shifting the emphasis slightly.

curtailing the demand

This option uses "curtailing", indicating a restriction or reduction in demand.

alleviating the urgency

This alternative emphasizes the reduction of 'urgency' regarding a particular need or situation.

diminishing the dependence

This variant highlights the reduction of reliance on something, offering a slightly different perspective.

circumventing the obligation

This phrase suggests finding a way to avoid a necessary duty or requirement.

shrinking the deficit

This phrase, while context-dependent, can imply reducing the need for external resources to cover a 'deficit'.

FAQs

How can I use "reducing the need" in a sentence?

You can use "reducing the need" to describe actions or innovations that lessen a requirement for something. For example, "Using renewable energy is "reducing the need" for fossil fuels".

What are some alternatives to "reducing the need"?

Alternatives to "reducing the need" include "minimizing the requirement", "lessening the necessity", or "decreasing the demand".

Is "reducing the need" grammatically correct?

Yes, "reducing the need" is grammatically correct. It uses a gerund phrase to describe the act of lessening a requirement.

What's the difference between "reducing the need" and "eliminating the need"?

"Reducing the need" implies a partial decrease in requirement, while "eliminating the need" suggests a complete removal of the necessity.