scaled back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scaled back" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is the past tense of "scale back," and it means to reduce the size, scope, or intensity of something. For example: The company had to scale back its operations due to limited resources.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Trident would be scaled back.

Independent

"I've scaled back tremendously".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Many scaled back or even closed shop.

The Economist

Eye shadow and mascara was scaled back.

The New York Times

Military commitments must be scaled back.

The New York Times

Both need to be scaled back.

The Economist

Should Government databases be scaled back?

Independent

The plans have since been scaled back.

Independent

Harvard has scaled back its allocation.

The New York Times

Expectations can be scaled back.

The New York Times - Sports

Those limits have now been scaled back.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scaled back" when you want to emphasize a deliberate reduction in size, scope, or intensity of something, often due to constraints or a change in strategy.

Common error

Ensure you use the correct spelling "scaled", and not "scailing". "Scailing" is not a recognized word, and using it will lead to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scaled back" functions as a verb in the past tense, indicating that an action of reduction or curtailment has already taken place. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scaled back" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to describe the act of reducing something in size, scope, or intensity. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is appropriate for use in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, it maintains a neutral register making it adaptable to various writing contexts. Remember to use "scaled" and not "scailed", and consider alternatives like "reduced" or "curtailed" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduced

Indicates a general decrease in quantity or size.

curtailed

Implies a restriction or limitation placed on something.

diminished

Suggests a gradual decrease in importance or effectiveness.

cut back

Informal term for reducing expenditure or activity.

pared down

Emphasizes the removal of unnecessary elements.

downsized

Often used in a business context to indicate workforce reduction.

truncated

Implies shortening something by cutting off a part.

retrenched

Focuses on cost-cutting measures, especially in business.

contracted

Suggests a shrinking or reduction in size or scope.

eased off

Indicates a gradual reduction in pressure or intensity.

FAQs

How to use "scaled back" in a sentence?

Use "scaled back" to indicate a reduction in size, scope, or intensity. For example: 'The project was "scaled back" due to budget constraints.'

What can I say instead of "scaled back"?

You can use alternatives like "reduced", "curtailed", or "cut back" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "scaled back" or "scale back"?

"Scaled back" is the past tense, used to describe something that has already been reduced. "Scale back" is the infinitive form, used to describe the act of reducing something.

What's the difference between "scaled back" and "downsized"?

"Scaled back" is a general term for reducing something, while "downsized" often refers specifically to reducing the workforce or size of a company.