shrink the amount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shrink the amount" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing reducing a quantity or size of something, such as expenses, resources, or data. Example: "To improve our budget, we need to find ways to shrink the amount we spend on unnecessary supplies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Congress is searching for ways to shrink the amount of government contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Washington Post

The team had to re-engineer Facebook's software to drastically shrink the amount of data sent over slow cellular networks.

The New York Times - Tech

"Credit-tightening will shrink the amount of private label credit outstanding over time, but it will have an immediate impact on retail sales," he added.

The New York Times

The arrangement would shrink the amount of time it takes to become a naturalized citizen, to three years from five years.

The New York Times

Critics say such services shrink the amount of available housing by creating incentives to convert apartments into de facto hotel rooms, rather than rent them to residents.

The Guardian - Tech

If you manage someone frustrated by the amount of grunt work on their plate, help them shrink the amount of time they spend on it.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

"More and more that shrinks the amount of time they spend on editorial".

The Guardian

Intensive use of debt dramatically shrinks the amount of equity in a company.

Harvard Business Review

As things stand, the most likely action revolves around shrinking the amount of notice period executives must be allowed.

The Guardian

And because transistors are shrinking, the amount of chip real-estate that a processor sits on is also decreasing.

MIT Technology Review

Now, though, Internet-based software applications are shifting the balance, shrinking the amount of human time and effort that needs to be spent on internal co-ordination.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for conciseness, consider using synonyms like "reduce" or "decrease" instead of "shrink the amount" especially in formal writing. While grammatically correct, "shrink the amount" can sometimes sound less sophisticated.

Common error

Avoid using "shrink the amount" excessively in formal documents like academic papers or business reports. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives such as "decrease the quantity" or "reduce the volume" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shrink the amount" functions as a verb phrase used to express the action of reducing or diminishing a quantity. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is grammatically correct and shows it is used in various contexts to describe reducing something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

13%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shrink the amount" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of reducing something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a versatile phrase found across various contexts, predominantly in news and media, and academia. While "shrink the amount" is generally acceptable, it is important to know that more formal alternatives, such as "reduce the quantity" or "decrease the volume", might be more appropriate in certain professional settings. Therefore, considering the context and desired tone is key to effectively using "shrink the amount" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce the quantity

Focuses on diminishing the numerical value or count of something.

decrease the volume

Specifically refers to lessening the physical space or capacity that something occupies.

lessen the extent

Highlights reducing the degree or scope to which something reaches or affects.

minimize the magnitude

Emphasizes diminishing the size or importance of something, often an issue or problem.

curtail the size

Implies limiting or restricting the dimensions or scale of something.

diminish the proportion

Focuses on reducing the ratio or fraction that something represents in relation to a whole.

cut back the amount

Informal way of reducing the quantity.

scale down the volume

To reduce something in size or extent.

tighten the quantity

Suggests a more controlled or restricted reduction of something.

lower the total

Specifically means to make the overall sum or count of something less.

FAQs

How can I use "shrink the amount" in a sentence?

You can use "shrink the amount" when you want to describe reducing a quantity or size. For example: "We need to "shrink the amount" of waste we produce."

What are some alternatives to "shrink the amount"?

Alternatives include "reduce the quantity", "decrease the volume", or "lessen the extent", depending on the context.

Is "shrink the amount" formal or informal?

"Shrink the amount" leans towards the informal side. In formal writing, consider using phrases like "reduce the quantity" or "decrease the volume".

How does the context affect the choice of using "shrink the amount" versus other alternatives?

The context dictates the best choice. Use "shrink the amount" in general conversations or less formal settings. For technical or formal writing, "reduce the quantity" or "minimize the magnitude" might be more appropriate.