shrank by one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shrank by one" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a reduction in size, quantity, or number, specifically indicating that something has decreased by one unit. Example: "The number of participants in the study shrank by one after the initial screening process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The Democratic presidential field shrank by one on Thursday, but the race for the Iowa caucuses appeared unusually wide open going into the final weekend.

The New York Times

By some estimates, including the number of children at the American school in Riyadh, the American community of some 35,000 shrank by one fifth.

The New York Times

This list shrank by one state (Montana) this week, leaving only seven states without accurate, recent polling.

Huffington Post

Indeed, shortly after Jason McIntyre's article appeared on the Web site thebiglead.com, the ranks of black starting quarterbacks in the N.F.L. shrank by one.

The New York Times - Sports

In New York, the Borough of Queens shrank by one square mile in the decade, possibly a result, in part, of erosion and rising sea levels in the Jamaica Bay unit of the Gateway National Recreation Area.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Tourism, which shrank by one-third in the wake of last year's bombing campaign against Serbia, is expected to grow.

The Economist

Then, the company shrank by one-third, and while the "resizing" is less drastic now, he said, it is much swifter and steadier.

The New York Times

A study released by the Kauffman Foundation last October showed that the proportion of tech start-ups founded by immigrants has shrunk by one percentage point to 24.3percentt since 2005 and is on the verge of further decline.

Huffington Post

Its analysis predicted that by 2018 the eurozone economy would shrink by one percentage point.

The Guardian - Business

The Classic field may shrink by one because Euchre, a 30-1 long shot, returned from the track this morning with a cough, according to the trainer Bobby Frankel.

The New York Times - Sports

That represents the steepest pace of decline since the wipeout of manufacturing in 1981 – a period that saw the UK's industrial capacity shrink by one sixth.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing numerical decreases, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being reduced. For example, specify if it's a number of participants, items, or units.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly defining the original total or size before stating the reduction. For example, instead of just saying "The team shrank by one", specify "The team of ten shrank by one."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shrank by one" functions as a descriptive element within a sentence, specifically indicating a numerical reduction of one unit. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, as shown in various examples where it modifies nouns, detailing a decrease in quantity or size.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shrank by one" is a grammatically correct and usable expression indicating a reduction of one unit, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. While not exceedingly common, it appears in diverse contexts, primarily in news, media, scientific, and encyclopedia domains. It is most effectively used to clearly and concisely describe a reduction in size or number, maintaining a neutral tone. When employing this phrase, it is crucial to clearly define the context of the reduction, specifying what exactly has been reduced. Related phrases, such as "decreased by one" or "reduced by one", offer alternatives with varying degrees of formality and nuance, catering to a spectrum of writing needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decreased by one

Uses "decreased" instead of "shrank", providing a more formal tone but retaining the exact numerical reduction.

reduced by one

Substitutes "shrank" with "reduced", offering a synonym with a similar level of formality.

diminished by one

Replaces "shrank" with "diminished", suggesting a gradual reduction and adding a slightly more nuanced meaning.

lessened by one

Employs "lessened" in place of "shrank", implying a decrease in quantity or importance.

contracted by one

Uses "contracted" instead of "shrank", often used in the context of economic or physical size reductions.

fell by one

Replaces "shrank" with "fell", indicating a drop in number or amount.

dropped by one

Substitutes "shrank" with "dropped", suggesting a sudden or abrupt decrease.

declined by one

Employs "declined" instead of "shrank", often used in formal contexts like statistics or economics.

was reduced by one

Adds a passive voice structure, emphasizing the action being done to the subject.

saw a reduction of one

Changes the structure to emphasize the reduction itself, rather than the action of shrinking.

FAQs

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

You can use "shrank by one" to describe a reduction in size, quantity, or number, such as "The number of applicants "shrank by one" after the deadline".

What's a more formal way to say "shrank by one"?

More formal alternatives include "decreased by one" or "reduced by one", which are suitable for academic or business contexts.

Is it correct to say "shrunk by one" instead of "shrank by one"?

Both "shrank" and "shrunk" are past tense forms of "shrink", but "shrank" is generally preferred. "shrunk by one" is also acceptable but less common.

What's the difference between "shrank by one" and "declined by one"?

"Shrank by one" generally refers to a physical or numerical reduction, while "declined by one" often implies a decrease in quality, popularity, or importance, though both can refer to numbers depending on context.