shrink by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shrink by" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a decrease or reduction in size, amount, or quantity. Example sentence: "The company's profits are expected to shrink by 10% this quarter due to the economic downturn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Staten Island, meanwhile, will shrink by half.

The New York Times

The economy may shrink by 4% this year.

The Economist

It will shrink by 3.5% this yr.

The Guardian - Business

predicted would shrink by 6.2percentt.

The New York Times

The latest consensus is that it will shrink by 0.3%.

The Economist

More likely, they will shrink by a further 20%.

The Economist

This year GDP is expected to shrink by 0.3%.

The Economist

Its economy is likely to shrink by 10% this year.

The Economist

Across the board, the government should shrink by 20%.

The Economist

It now thinks it will shrink by 1.4%.

The Economist

"Most government departments will shrink by a quarter," it reported.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing percentage decreases, be specific about the base value. For example, instead of saying "Sales will shrink by 20%", clarify with "Sales will shrink by 20% compared to last quarter".

Common error

Avoid using "shrink by" when you mean to say "shirk from", which means to evade or avoid a responsibility. "Shrink by" refers to a quantifiable reduction, while "shirk from" refers to avoiding a duty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shrink by" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process of reduction or contraction. As supported by Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically correct and widely used. It's commonly used to describe quantifiable decreases.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shrink by" is a grammatically correct and very common verb phrase used to express a quantifiable reduction or decrease, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various types of writing. When using "shrink by", ensure clarity by specifying the base value and avoid confusing it with "shirk from". Alternatives include "decrease by", "reduce by", and "decline by", depending on the specific nuance required. Remember that ""shrink by"" indicates the amount of reduction, while "shrink to" refers to the final value after the reduction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decrease by

Indicates a reduction in quantity or size, similar to "shrink by" but may apply to more abstract concepts.

reduce by

A general term for making something smaller or less, applicable in many contexts.

lessen by

Similar to "reduce by" but often implies a decrease in intensity or degree.

decline by

Implies a decrease in number or amount, often used in contexts like sales or performance.

diminish by

Suggests a gradual decrease, often in importance or quality, as well as size.

contract by

Suggests a reduction in size or scope, often used in economic contexts.

fall by

Indicates a drop in value or amount, often suddenly or unexpectedly.

drop by

Similar to 'fall by' but often suggests the reduction happened quickly.

scale down by

Suggests a reduction in size or extent, often in a deliberate or planned manner.

go down by

A more informal way of saying "decrease by", suitable for casual contexts.

FAQs

How do I use "shrink by" in a sentence?

Use "shrink by" to indicate a measurable reduction in size, quantity, or value. For example, "The company's workforce will "shrink by" 15% due to restructuring".

What are some alternatives to "shrink by"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "decrease by", "reduce by", or "decline by" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "shrinked by" instead of "shrink by"?

No, the correct form is ""shrink by"". "Shrinked" is not a standard past participle of "shrink". The past participle is "shrunk".

What's the difference between "shrink by" and "shrink to"?

"Shrink by" indicates the amount of reduction (e.g., "shrink by 10%"), while "shrink to" indicates the final size or quantity after the reduction (e.g., "shrink to 50 employees").