Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
substantial decrease in
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "substantial decrease in" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a significant reduction in quantity, quality, or intensity of something. Example: "The company reported a substantial decrease in sales over the last quarter."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Alternative expressions(3)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
58 human-written examples
"It is a substantial decrease in our bonds," she said.
News & Media
We saw a very substantial decrease in both traffic and in margins.
News & Media
There has also been a substantial decrease in alcohol abuse by drivers.
News & Media
"This has, in turn, affected consumer spending and business growth, resulting in a substantial decrease in the UK's GDP.
News & Media
"I'd be surprised if these changes lead to a substantial decrease in drugs going to the U.S. or a decrease in the violence and power of the cartels".
News & Media
Meanwhile, the substantial decrease in fossil fuel use and deforestation would make massive reductions in the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere.
News & Media
Difference image (c) reveals a substantial decrease in image values.
Science
The placebo provoked a substantial decrease in experienced disgust.
The net result is a substantial decrease in swelling characteristics of the soils.
Some models implied a substantial decrease in monsoon precipitation, while others suggested the opposite.
UHPC exhibits high durability owing to a substantial decrease in the volume and size of pores.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "substantial decrease in" when you want to indicate the reduction is significant enough to warrant attention or action.
Common error
Avoid using "substantial decrease in" when the reduction is actually minimal or insignificant. Ensure the decrease truly warrants the use of 'substantial' to maintain credibility.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "substantial decrease in" functions primarily as a noun phrase modifier. It describes the degree or extent of reduction in something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, appearing frequently across various contexts.
Frequent in
Science
43%
News & Media
38%
Formal & Business
19%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "substantial decrease in" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a significant reduction. Ludwig AI validates this, showing its frequent appearance across news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the decrease is genuinely significant and, if possible, quantify the reduction with specific numbers or percentages. Alternatives include "significant reduction in", "considerable decline in" and "marked drop in". Avoid overstating the decrease if it's actually minimal, and always maintain accuracy and clarity in your writing.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
significant reduction in
This alternative uses "reduction" instead of "decrease" and "significant" instead of "substantial", maintaining the meaning.
considerable decline in
This alternative replaces "decrease" with "decline" and "substantial" with "considerable", indicating a notable reduction.
marked drop in
This alternative uses "drop" instead of "decrease" and "marked" instead of "substantial", implying a noticeable fall.
significant fall in
This alternative uses "fall" instead of "decrease" and "significant" instead of "substantial", denoting a notable reduction.
noticeable lessening of
This alternative uses "lessening" instead of "decrease" and "noticeable" instead of "substantial", indicating a reduction that is easily observed.
appreciable diminution of
This alternative replaces "decrease" with "diminution" and "substantial" with "appreciable", suggesting a measurable reduction.
major downturn in
This alternative uses "downturn" instead of "decrease" and "major" instead of "substantial", suggesting a significant negative change.
pronounced reduction of
This alternative uses "reduction" instead of "decrease" and "pronounced" instead of "substantial", indicating a very noticeable decrease.
large contraction in
This alternative uses "contraction" instead of "decrease" and "large" instead of "substantial", referring to a significant shrinking.
severe reduction in
This alternative replaces "decrease" with "reduction" and "substantial" with "severe", emphasizing the intensity of the decrease.
FAQs
How can I use "substantial decrease in" in a sentence?
You can use "substantial decrease in" to describe a significant reduction. For example, "There was a substantial decrease in sales last quarter."
What's a good alternative to "substantial decrease in"?
Alternatives include "significant reduction in", "considerable decline in", or "marked drop in", depending on the context.
Is it better to say "substantial decrease in" or "significant decrease in"?
Both "substantial decrease in" and "significant decrease in" are correct and often interchangeable. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.
What does "substantial decrease in" imply?
A "substantial decrease in" implies that there has been a notable and significant reduction, large enough to be of importance or concern.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested