shrank to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shrank to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has decreased in size, amount, or intensity to a specific point or level. Example: "Over the years, the once vast forest shrank to a mere fraction of its original size."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The Refounded Communists shrank to 5%.

The Economist

The requested guarantee shrank to £175m.

The Economist

In the 1990s, the figure shrank to 1m or so.

The Economist

Ultimately, the list of possible noncitizen voters shrank to 198.

The New York Times

Gross margin shrank to 25.7percentt from 26.6percentt.

The New York Times

And in the 1990s, it shrank to just 16percentt.

The New York Times

In the vacuum that ensued, salaries shrank to a pittance.

The New York Times

(Their number shrank to 18 a few years later).

The New York Times - Arts

Her phone reception shrank to a single bar.

The New Yorker

In July, that figure shrank to 37.6percentt.

The New York Times

Within EPCglobal four warring factions of manufacturers recently shrank to two.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shrank to" when you want to specifically emphasize the process of becoming smaller or less over time, often due to external factors or gradual decline. It's particularly effective when highlighting a contrast between a previous, larger state and a current, reduced one.

Common error

Avoid overusing "shrank to" when simpler alternatives like "reduced to" or "decreased to" suffice. While "shrank to" adds a nuance of gradual diminishing, it can sound unnecessarily verbose in contexts where a straightforward reduction is meant. Choose the most concise option for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shrank to" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating a transition to a smaller size, quantity, or degree. It illustrates how something has diminished over time or in comparison to a previous state. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shrank to" is a versatile phrase used to describe a reduction in size, amount, or intensity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "decreased to" or "reduced to" can be used, "shrank to" often implies a gradual or natural decline. Remember to choose the most concise and appropriate option for clarity in your writing. Using the term helps the reader understand that something that used to be bigger, larger, more relevant or important, it's no longer like that. Be aware of this nuance when picking the correct expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decreased to

Replaces "shrank" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing a quantifiable reduction.

reduced to

Similar to "decreased to", but can also imply a simplification or stripping down.

diminished to

Suggests a gradual lessening, often implying a loss of importance or power.

lessened to

Indicates a reduction in intensity or degree, rather than just size or amount.

contracted to

Implies a drawing together or shrinking inward, often used in physical contexts.

dwindled to

Suggests a gradual decline to a small amount, often over time.

was cut to

Emphasizes the action of reducing something, often by an external force.

pared down to

Suggests a deliberate and careful reduction to the essential elements.

narrowed to

Implies a reduction in scope or range, rather than overall size.

condensed to

Suggests making something more compact or concise, often by removing unnecessary parts.

FAQs

How can I use "shrank to" in a sentence?

The phrase "shrank to" indicates a reduction in size, amount, or extent. For example: "The company's profits "shrank to" only a fraction of what they were last year."

What are some alternatives to saying "shrank to"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "decreased to", "reduced to", or "diminished to" as alternatives to "shrank to".

Is "shrank to" formal or informal?

"Shrank to" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, "decreased to" might be preferred.

What's the difference between "shrank to" and "reduced to"?

While both phrases indicate a decrease, "shrank to" often implies a gradual or natural diminishing, while "reduced to" can suggest a more deliberate or forceful action that caused the decrease.