Cool MateDecrease vs Lower it down
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Decrease
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Lower it down
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: DecreaseMost common: Decrease
| Decrease | Lower it down | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dɪˈkriːs//🇺🇸 //dɪˈkriːs// | 🇬🇧 //ˈləʊə dɪ dʌn//🇺🇸 //ˈloʊər ɪt daʊn// |
| Meaning | To make something smaller or lower. | Make something go lower. |
| Example | The government plans to decrease taxes next year. | Can you lower it down a bit for me? |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | decrease in size, decrease in temperature, significantly decrease, gradually decrease, decrease the risk | lower the volume, lower the lights, lower the price |
| Antonyms | increase, rise, augment | raise, lift, increase |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'decrease' with 'increase'., Using 'decrease' without an object, e.g. 'decrease' must have something to decrease., Incorrectly conjugating the verb in different tenses. | Using 'lower it down' without a clear object., 'Lower down it' as incorrect word order., Confusion with 'bring down' or 'take down'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'decrease' in formal and neutral contexts to describe reductions, such as in appetite or temperature. | Commonly used in casual conversations when asking someone to reduce the height or level of something. Avoid in formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Decrease vs Lower it down
What's the difference between Decrease and Lower it down?
Decrease: To make something smaller or lower. Lower it down: Make something go lower.
Which is more formal: Decrease and Lower it down?
Decrease is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Decrease and Lower it down?
Decrease is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Decrease: The government plans to decrease taxes next year. Lower it down: Can you lower it down a bit for me?
Can I use Decrease and Lower it down interchangeably?
Not always. Decrease and Lower it down are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.