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Prepositions with reduction

Which prepositions go with reduction?

Reduction often combines with of, in, and by. Other prepositions depend on sentence structure and meaning.

Quick answer

Most common patterns

Use reduction in for decreases in amount, reduction of for the thing reduced, and reduction by for the size of the decrease. Reduction to describes the final level after a decrease.

The company announced a reduction in staff numbers.
The reduction of emissions is a priority.
Prices fell after a reduction by 10 percent.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
reduction in + amount

Describing a decrease in something

Use in for areas, rates, numbers, or levels that become smaller.

There was a sharp reduction in traffic.
2
reduction of + thing

Naming what is reduced

Use of before the thing being reduced.

The policy encourages reduction of waste.
3
reduction by + amount

Showing the size of the decrease

Use by to state how much something decreases.

The budget saw a reduction by five million dollars.
4
reduction to + level

Showing the final level

Use to for the new amount after reduction.

The plan led to a reduction to half capacity.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
reduction of
The reduction of costs improved profits.
names what became smaller
reduction in
There was a reduction in noise.
describes the area affected
reduction by
The tax was cut by a reduction by 5 percent.
states the amount of decrease
reduction to
The reduction to three teams simplified management.
shows the final level
reduction with
The medicine is associated with reduction in pain.
with usually belongs to another structure, not directly to reduction
reduction for
The store offered a reduction for students.
for can introduce the group receiving the lower price

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using reduction for the thing reduced

English usually uses reduction of or reduction in.

✕ reduction for pollution ✓ reduction of pollution

Confusing by and to

By gives the amount of change; to gives the final result.

✕ a reduction to 20 percent ✓ a reduction by 20 percent

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The government announced a reduction ___ fuel taxes.
2. There has been a reduction ___ accidents this year.
3. The price changed after a reduction ___ 15 percent.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between reduction of and reduction in?

Reduction of focuses on the thing reduced, while reduction in focuses on the area or category where the decrease happens.

When do I use reduction by?

Use it to state the amount of decrease, such as reduction by 10 percent.

Can reduction take for?

Yes, in some contexts such as discounts for groups, but it is less central than reduction of or reduction in.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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