reduction

USAGE SUMMARY

"reduction" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of making something (usually a number or amount) smaller. For example: "The company implemented a reduction in their workforce to save money."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Over the past decade, Kazakhs have experienced a steady reduction in individual rights.

The Guardian

Helen Szoke, chief executive of Oxfam Australia, said her organisation "would have put the reduction of poverty as the first benchmark" in the revamped aid program and was "cautious" about the role of the private sector.

The Guardian

The traffic reduction project This article is part of the Live Better Community Project month.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Verbal and written feedback from patients has been largely very positive and measures of depression and anxiety on average show a significant reduction following the course.

The Guardian

After Cooper's interview, Burnham made it clear that he too supported the idea of a 50p top rate of income tax to help with reduction of the deficit and warned against any move by the party to ape the Conservatives.

The Guardian

In terms of preparing cities to be as disaster-resilient as possible, the UN's office for disaster risk reduction launched its Making Cities Resilient campaign in 2010, urging local governments to raise disaster resilience awareness among citizens, invest in risk-reduction activities, and build more safely.

The Guardian

It mandates a 50% reduction in petroleum use by vehicles by 2030, the equivalent of removing 36m cars and trucks from the road.

The Guardian

This would result in a 25% reduction in available resources for the NHS.

The Guardian

Try the skewer of seared tuna with meltingly fresh foie gras and a sweet, umami-heavy reduction of Pedro Ximénez sherry.

The Guardian - Travel

Mental health problems are estimated to affect one in four and academic studies claim mindfulness can affect a 20% reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression.

The Guardian

So did our reluctance, until late in the last parliament, to sufficiently illustrate that we took deficit reduction seriously.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing specific numerical decreases, quantify the "reduction" with percentages or absolute values to provide clarity and impact. For instance, "a 20% reduction in emissions" is more informative than simply stating "an emissions reduction".

Common error

Avoid using "reduction" without specifying what is being reduced. Unclear statements like "There has been a reduction" leave the reader wondering about the subject and scale of the decrease. Always provide context to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "reduction" is as a noun. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, representing the act, process, or result of reducing something. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "reduction" is a versatile noun used to describe the act, process, or result of decreasing something. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically sound and widely applicable across various contexts. Its frequency is very common, especially in news and media, formal business, and scientific domains. When using "reduction", ensure you provide clear context about what is being reduced and, where possible, quantify the decrease with specific numbers or percentages. Alternatives such as "decrease", "decline", and "diminution" can be used to add nuance to your writing, depending on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decrease

A more general term for making something smaller in amount, degree, or size.

decline

Suggests a gradual deterioration or lessening, often in quality or quantity.

diminution

Implies a lessening or reduction in size, importance, or intensity.

cutback

Specifically refers to a decrease in spending or production.

curtailment

Indicates a restriction or reduction, often sudden or temporary.

lessening

Emphasizes the process of becoming smaller or less significant.

abatement

Refers to the reduction or suppression of something harmful or negative.

mitigation

Focuses on reducing the severity or impact of something.

retrenchment

Implies a reduction in costs or spending, often due to economic difficulties.

contraction

Suggests a shrinking or reduction in size or scope.

FAQs

How can I use "reduction" in a sentence?

Use "reduction" to describe the act, process, or result of making something smaller or less. For example, "The company announced a significant "decrease" in its carbon footprint due to new energy-efficient technologies."

What are some alternatives to the word "reduction"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "decrease", "decline", "diminution", or "lessening".

Is it correct to say "reduction of" or "reduction in"?

Both "reduction of" and "reduction in" are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "Reduction of" is often used for abstract nouns or general concepts, while "reduction in" is used for specific quantities or measurable items. For example, "reduction of poverty" vs. "reduction in spending".

What's the difference between "reduction" and "mitigation"?

"Reduction" refers to the act of making something smaller or less, while "mitigation" refers to the act of lessening the severity or impact of something. While both aim to decrease a negative effect, "mitigation" focuses more on alleviating consequences rather than directly decreasing the source.