shrunk to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shrunk to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that has been reduced in size or volume. Example: "The sweater shrunk to half its original size after washing it in hot water."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Job growth has shrunk to a sliver.

The New York Times - Magazine

Trades had shrunk to almost nothing.

The New York Times

That has now shrunk to £80,000.

The Guardian

Why has it shrunk to this?

The New Yorker

His budget was shrunk to $140m.

The Guardian - Film

Today it has shrunk to 4%.

The Guardian - Tech

Indeed, it has shrunk to four.

The Guardian - Sport

West's three "certain" trump tricks had shrunk to two.

The New York Times

The moderate wing of the Party had shrunk to insignificance.

The New Yorker

By last year it had shrunk to about 2.8 percent.

The New York Times

The endowment had shrunk to $6 million from $18 million.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shrunk to" to vividly describe a tangible reduction in size, quantity, or scope. This emphasizes the transformation from a previous, larger state. For instance, 'The company's profits shrunk to a mere fraction of what they once were.'

Common error

Avoid using "shrunk to" when referring to abstract concepts that don't inherently possess physical dimensions. Instead of saying 'His influence shrunk to nothing,' consider 'His influence waned to nothing' for a more appropriate expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shrunk to" serves as a verb phrase indicating a state of reduction or diminution. It connects an object or entity with its diminished state, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples showing reductions in size, quantity, or scope.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shrunk to" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to describe a reduction in size, quantity, or scope. Ludwig confirms its frequent usage across diverse contexts, especially in news and media, where it effectively conveys transformations and changes. When using "shrunk to", ensure it's applied to tangible reductions, and consider alternatives like "decreased to" or "reduced to" for similar meanings. Avoiding overuse in abstract contexts will maintain clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduced to

Emphasizes the act of making something smaller or less, often implying an external force or action causing the reduction.

decreased to

Highlights a numerical or measurable reduction, suitable for describing quantities or statistics.

diminished to

Suggests a gradual decrease in size, importance, or intensity, often over time.

contracted to

Implies a physical reduction in size or scope, often due to compression or shrinkage.

narrowed to

Focuses on a reduction in width or scope, suitable for describing the limitation of options or possibilities.

dwindled to

Conveys a sense of gradual and progressive reduction, often leading to near insignificance.

lessened to

Indicates a decrease in amount, intensity, or degree, suggesting a mitigation of something.

tapered to

Implies a gradual decrease in width or thickness, often used in physical descriptions.

compressed to

Highlights a forceful reduction in size or volume, often under pressure.

condensed to

Indicates a reduction in volume or density, often through the removal of extraneous elements.

FAQs

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

The phrase "shrunk to" is used to describe something that has become smaller in size, amount, or extent. For example, "After washing, the shirt "shrunk to" half its original size" or "The company's market share "shrunk to" a negligible amount after the scandal".

What are some alternatives to "shrunk to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "decreased to", "reduced to", "dwindled to", or "diminished to" to express a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "has shrunk to" or "had shrunk to"?

Both "has "shrunk to"" and "had "shrunk to"" are grammatically correct, but they convey different tenses. "Has "shrunk to"" is present perfect, indicating a past action with relevance to the present, while "had "shrunk to"" is past perfect, indicating an action completed before another point in the past.

What is the difference between "shrunk to" and "reduced to"?

While both phrases indicate a decrease, ""shrunk to"" often implies a natural or unintentional reduction, whereas "reduced to" can imply an intentional action causing the decrease. For example, "The sweater "shrunk to" a smaller size after washing," versus "The company reduced to a skeleton crew to save costs".