shrink by one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shrink by one" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate a reduction in size, quantity, or value by a single unit. Example: "To adjust the dimensions of the image, you need to shrink it by one pixel in height."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Don't let your dreams shrink by one inch.

The Guardian - Opinion

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

The Guardian - Business

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

The field of Democratic senators who are undecided (or just keeping quiet) about which colleague they prefer for president will shrink by one today when Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota comes out in support of Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois.

The New York Times

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

The drivers' market did shrink by one yesterday, when Manor GP confirmed the young German Timo Glock, who impressed with Toyota last season, would lead their new team.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

But that earlier term was an unmitigated disaster that saw the country's GDP shrink by one-fifth and the number of people in poverty rise by five million.

BBC

Japan has been in an economic downturn since the early 1990s, and as a result it now is facing a demographic crisis: the Japanese population is projected to shrink by one-third by 2060, and by then 40percentt of the Japanese population is projected to be age 65 and older.

Huffington Post

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

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

Just 5percentt of the redwoods that stood before 1849 are still alive, and the tree's footprint has shrunk by one third.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "shrink by one", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being reduced, whether it's a physical dimension, a numerical value, or an abstract concept. For clarity, specify the units being reduced (e.g., "shrink by one pixel", "shrink by one percentage point").

Common error

Avoid using "shrink by one" when the reduction is not a literal numerical decrease. For instance, don't say "shrink by one" when you mean to simplify or summarize a complex idea; instead, use more appropriate verbs like "simplify" or "summarize".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shrink by one" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a reduction in size, quantity, or value by a single unit. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, denoting a specific and quantifiable decrease.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Business

26%

Science

17%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shrink by one" accurately describes a reduction in size or quantity by a single unit, deemed correct by Ludwig AI. While grammatically sound, it is most commonly found in neutral to professional contexts such as news reporting, business analysis, and scientific discussions. Alternatives like "decrease by one" and "reduce by one" offer similar meanings, providing options for varying your language while maintaining clarity. When using the phrase, specify what is being reduced and avoid overgeneralization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decrease by one

Replaces "shrink" with the more general term "decrease", maintaining the same quantitative reduction.

reduce by one

Substitutes "shrink" with "reduce", another common synonym implying a lessening in size or amount.

decline by one

Employs "decline" to suggest a gradual reduction, often used in the context of numbers or values.

lessen by one

Uses "lessen" which suggests a reduction in intensity or degree, as well as quantity.

diminish by one

Replaces "shrink" with "diminish", indicating a decrease in importance or size.

drop by one

Uses "drop" to imply a sudden or immediate reduction.

fall by one

Similar to "drop", indicating a downward movement in quantity or value.

go down by one

A more informal way to express a reduction by a single unit.

be reduced by one

Passive voice construction, emphasizing the action being performed on something.

contract by one

Emphasizes the sense of something becoming smaller or more compact.

FAQs

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

You can use "shrink by one" to describe a reduction in size or quantity by a single unit, such as "To adjust the dimensions of the image, you need to "shrink by one" pixel in height."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "shrink by one"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "decrease by one", "reduce by one", or "decline by one", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "shrink by one percent"?

While grammatically correct, it's more common to say "shrink by one percentage point" when referring to percentage changes to avoid ambiguity. This makes it clear that you are referring to a change in percentage rather than a literal percentage of the original value.

When should I use "decrease by one" instead of "shrink by one"?

"Decrease by one" is a more general term that can apply to any kind of reduction, while ""shrink by one"" typically implies a reduction in physical size or scope. Choose the word that best fits the context of what is being reduced.