Is there any difference between the three verbs "decrease", "lower", and "reduce"? All three can be used in both transitive and intransitive forms. Are these just synonyms or are there some cases that you must use one over the others?
Learn English – The difference between “reduce”, “lower”, and “decrease”
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Best Answer
Decrease:
Lower:
Reduce:
Out of these, "reduce" is probably the most commonly best choice for transitive verb usage and "decrease" is almost always the best choice for intransitive verb usage.
But I would recommend first scanning your vocabulary to determine whether there exists a better intransitive verb than "decrease," as sometimes it can sound clunky when used in intransitive form. For example:
This is technically acceptable, but often there are better intransitive verb choices available:
Another example:
Again, technically fine, but it just sounds smoother to express it differently:
To recap, "decrease" is acceptable in the above examples—but if you can find a verb that equally or better expresses the same concept you are trying to convey, use it instead. This is a totally minor style recommendation and likely will not impact your everyday communication.
EDIT: Examples by request
By request in the comments, here are some examples of how the three verbs can and cannot be used:
"Lower"
The fundamental reason why only "lower" is an acceptable verb to describe adjusting the position of the window curtains is that only "lower" can be used to describe adjusting the actual position of an item in three-dimensional space, so as to cause it to be closer to the earth's core.
Lower can also be used for other physical characteristics, such as sound and light levels. "Please lower the lights" or "please lower the TV volume" are completely natural-sounding and acceptable.
"Reduce [to]"
These examples show that "reduce" can be combined with "to" to describe the actual conversion of one thing into some other thing (e.g. "building" becomes "pile of rubble"), the latter being inherently different and of lesser quality or quantity than the former.
But when you're merely dealing with some quantifiable characteristic (e.g. "road visibility"), all three verbs are acceptable.
A few advanced examples:
In these examples, "reduce [to]" is used to describe an attack or offense against an actual person. What follows "to" can be an undesirable state of being, an exaggerated and offensive description of the person being "reduced," or an undesirable activity in which the "reduced" person becomes engaged. The implication with this last possibility is that the person is "too good" (e.g. wealthy, intelligent, beautiful, entitled) to be forced to engage in such an activity.
If my words reduce you to tears, then I've made you cry (i.e. you are now in a state of tears).
If my review of you reduces you to nothing but a pretty face, then I've expressed my opinion that you are brainless and that your only redeeming quality is your physical beauty (i.e. an exaggerated and offense description of you).
If I reduce you to perform a janitor's duties, I've made you clean up after yourself (and maybe other people), despite the fact that you have six advanced degrees from Harvard, Yale, and Stanford (e.g. you're way too smart and accomplished for me to force you to perform cleaning duties).