substantially diminish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantially diminish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a significant reduction in quantity, quality, or importance of something. Example: "The new policy is expected to substantially diminish the amount of waste produced by the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

It would also substantially diminish that plan's architectural strength.

The New York Times - Arts

"We will be putting a package of legislation together that will substantially diminish that problem," Mr. Frank said.

The New York Times

The proposed changes would substantially diminish the obligations of these financial institutions because only their lending records would be evaluated.

The New York Times

"Over the next couple of weeks, it will substantially diminish the wildfire threat," said Andy Devanas, meteorologist for the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

The New York Times

Aggressively pursuing social issues, Kingon wrote, would substantially diminish the President's political support, and would risk failure in other key areas.

The New Yorker

For the 2012 season, new walls will be constructed in three areas of the outfield to substantially diminish the outfield's overly large dimensions.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

These voters are looking at substantially diminished college funds and retirement savings.

The New York Times

Like spouses, many fiancés can expect a substantially diminished financial future.

The New York Times

CLIP — FRANK: The leverage you have within government has substantially diminished.

The New Yorker

The federal sentencing guidelines and mandatory minimums have substantially diminished that role.

The New York Times

"To my disappointment, the leverage you have within the government has substantially diminished," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantially diminish", ensure the context clearly defines what is being reduced and the impact of that reduction. For instance, "The new regulations will substantially diminish the company's profits."

Common error

Avoid using "substantially diminish" when referring to minor reductions. The term implies a significant and noticeable decrease, not a trivial change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantially diminish" functions as a verb phrase indicating a significant reduction or decrease. As shown by Ludwig, it's used to describe a noticeable lessening of something, be it in quantity, quality or importance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantially diminish" is a verb phrase used to indicate a significant reduction or decrease. Ludwig's analysis shows that it's grammatically correct and frequently used in news, scientific, and formal contexts. While alternatives like ""significantly reduce"" or "greatly decrease" may be appropriate depending on the context, it is important to ensure the magnitude of the reduction aligns with the term's implication of a noticeable change. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for professional communication, and understanding its common usage patterns will help ensure clarity and accuracy in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly reduce

Emphasizes the magnitude of the reduction.

considerably lessen

Highlights the noticeable decrease in something.

greatly decrease

Stresses the large extent of the decline.

markedly abate

Suggests a distinct and clear reduction, often in intensity.

noticeably decline

Focuses on the fact that the reduction is easily observed.

appreciably curtail

Indicates a reduction that is sufficient to be important or meaningful.

severely impede

Implies obstruction and hindrance, with the result of a substantial impact.

largely mitigate

Focuses on alleviating or reducing the negative impact.

drastically curtail

Highlights the severity and abruptness of the reduction.

substantially weaken

Implies a reduction in strength or effectiveness.

FAQs

How can I use "substantially diminish" in a sentence?

Use "substantially diminish" to describe a significant reduction in something. For example, "The new policy will "significantly reduce" pollution levels."

What can I say instead of "substantially diminish"?

You can use alternatives like ""significantly reduce"", "considerably lessen", or "greatly decrease" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "substantially diminish" or "slightly diminish"?

"Substantially diminish" implies a significant reduction, while "slightly diminish" indicates a minor reduction. The correct choice depends on the extent of the reduction you want to convey.

What is the difference between "substantially diminish" and "completely eliminate"?

"Substantially diminish" means to reduce significantly, but not entirely. "Completely eliminate", on the other hand, means to remove entirely. They represent different degrees of reduction.