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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
small decrease in concentration
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "small decrease in concentration" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing changes in focus, attention, or the amount of a substance in a solution. Example: "After the break, there was a small decrease in concentration among the students, which affected their performance on the test."
✓ Grammatically correct
Academia
Formal & Business
News & Media
Science
Encyclopedias
Alternative expressions(6)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
60 human-written examples
The sugar concentrations had not changed significantly in the cultivation of the A. baylyi ADP1 gcd knockout strain but a small decrease in concentrations of acetate and citrate had occurred.
Science
Sulfate reduction apparently occurred throughout the bioreactor in the HRT range from 25too 6 h, because the sulfate concentrations in the effluents were lower than those in the influents, whereas only a small decrease in sulfate concentration was observed at 5 h HRT (Fig. 1a).
Science
An increase in spleen weight, as the tumour developed, was accompanied by a small decrease in the concentration of species with g-values of 6-0 and 4-3, wasch was reversed on regression of the treated tumour.
Science
Data from fixed monitors of the Regional Environmental Protection Agency show in the period 1999 2008 a small decrease in NO2 concentrations in traffic sites, and a stability in urban background sites [ 28].
In our case, the high value of γ (10.0) clearly indicated that a small decrease in plasma concentrations near the EC50 was associated with a dramatic decrease in the rate of naloxone infusion.
Science
However, below 9 ml/100 ml, a small decrease in plasma calcium concentration induced a marked increase in PTH secretion rate.
In a similar study, 8 weeks of timed bromocriptine reduced day-long plasma glucose, triglyceride, and FFA levels without change in body weight and a small decrease in plasma insulin concentration in 13 nondiabetic obese women (Supplementary Fig. 2) (31).
Science
In both studies a small decrease in serum calcium concentration and a small increase in serum phosphate was noted in the strontium ranelate group, but these and other small changes in biochemistry were without clinical consequence (SPC 2004).
46, 47 Accordingly, a small decrease in serum bicarbonate concentration has been observed in all phentermine/topiramate ER studies without clinically significant metabolic acidosis, and serum bicarbonate levels tended to return to baseline over time.
Moreover, serum-S1P concentrations were lowest in the most severely affected patients (group C, septic shock; Fig. 2); and a multivariate regression analysis with septic shock as the dependent variable showed that a small decrease in serum-S1P concentration of only 1 nmol/l was associated with an increased risk of developing septic shock of 1.2%% (Table 3).
Science
In HaCaT cells, TGF-β1 caused a small decrease in nuclear Cdk2 concentrations, rapamycin had no effect, but TGF-β1 + rapamycin induced a larger decrease in nuclear Cdk2 concentrations than TGF-β1 alone (Fig. 1a).
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When describing experimental results, quantify the "small decrease" with specific values or percentages to provide more precise information. For example, "a small decrease (5%) in concentration".
Common error
Avoid attributing major consequences to a "small decrease in concentration" without sufficient evidence. Ensure the observed change is statistically significant and relevant to the context.
Source & Trust
75%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "small decrease in concentration" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in contexts that discusses changes in the amount of a substance in a solution.
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Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "small decrease in concentration" is grammatically sound and intended to describe a minor reduction in the amount of a substance within a solution. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is appropriate for analytical and technical writing, particularly within scientific domains. While versatile, precision is key; therefore, quantifying the extent of the "small decrease" is advisable. The phrase is most frequently found in scientific contexts, although other contexts are possible. Related phrases include "slight reduction in concentration" and "minor decline in concentration". Despite its common usage, overstating the significance of such a small decrease should be avoided.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
slight reduction in concentration
Replaces "decrease" with "reduction" and "small" with "slight", offering a more concise alternative.
minor decline in concentration
Substitutes "decrease" with "decline" and "small" with "minor", implying a gradual reduction.
marginal drop in concentration
Replaces "decrease" with "drop" and "small" with "marginal", suggesting a minimal change.
subtle diminution in concentration
Uses "diminution" for "decrease" and "subtle" for "small", indicating a barely noticeable reduction.
modest lowering of concentration
Replaces "decrease" with "lowering" and "small" with "modest", suggesting a controlled reduction.
insignificant reduction in concentration
Highlights the lack of importance of the reduction.
negligible decline in concentration
Emphasizes the unimportance or irrelevance of the change.
limited decrease in concentration
Highlights the restricted scope or extent of the reduction.
slight dip in concentration
Offers a more informal alternative, replacing "decrease" with "dip" and "small" with "slight".
minute reduction in concentration
Substitutes "decrease" with "reduction" and "small" with "minute", emphasizing the extremely small size of the change.
FAQs
How can I use "small decrease in concentration" in a sentence?
You can use "small decrease in concentration" to describe a minor reduction in the amount of a substance. For example, "The experiment resulted in a "slight reduction in concentration" of the solute."
What are some alternatives to "small decrease in concentration"?
Alternatives include ""slight reduction in concentration"", "minor decline in concentration", or "marginal drop in concentration", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.
Is it more appropriate to say "slight decrease" or "small decrease" in concentration?
Both "slight decrease" and "small decrease" are acceptable. "Slight decrease" might imply a less measurable change, whereas "small decrease" suggests a quantifiable but minor reduction.
What's the difference between "small decrease in concentration" and "decrease in concentration"?
The phrase "small decrease in concentration" indicates that the reduction is not substantial. Omitting "small" implies a potentially larger or more significant reduction, so including "small" is useful to specify the magnitude of the change.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
75%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested