decreasing a number vs a decreasing number

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. 'Decreasing a number' implies taking action to reduce a specific number, while 'a decreasing number' refers to a number that is already decreasing. The choice between them depends on the context and the intended meaning.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 944 views

decreasing a number

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used when referring to the action of reducing a specific number.

Examples:

I am decreasing a number by 10%.
She is decreasing the budget by $1000.
The teacher is decreasing the score by 5 points.

Show examples from the web [+]

Madam President, (inaudible) is in a very difficult situation already because of the global recession and the decreasing demand for a number of products worldwide.
These changes have resulted in a decreasing number of consumers being protected when going on holiday.
Last week the Finnish Presidency admitted, inter alia, that practical experience has shown that problems with current decision-making at EU level are leading to a decreasing number of police cooperation initiatives.
According to this association of large employers, it will no longer be possible to finance the first pillar of the pensions system, which involves redistribution, as there is an increasing number of recipients and a decreasing number of contributors.
It will, without doubt, be a matter for our concern that there may be a decreasing number of small and medium-sized banks and financial institutions available with which the European Investment Bank can manage the flow of its funds.
The constantly decreasing number of people in work has resulted in drastic cutbacks in social security systems.
The steadily decreasing number of bidders in public tenders confirms this.
We are concerned at the growing concentration of media ownership among an ever-decreasing number of companies.
In Ireland decreasing numbers of young people are choosing science as a career option - a trend that is repeated across Europe.
This could help to reverse the trend of the decreasing number of consumers being protected when going on holiday.
Transport is also a sector which is particularly vulnerable in terms of security of supply, dependant on one commodity, oil, from decreasing number of sources.
The resolution says MEPs are "extremely worried" about the decreasing number of journalists accredited to the European Union Institutions like the Commission, Council and the Parliament.
All of us - Parliament, the decreasing number of farmers and also consumers - expect the proper application of EU legislation with inspections to that effect.
To a large extent, it is a vicious circle because as we increase and improve our technology, we require an ever decreasing number in the workforce.
Kentera was as effective as tolterodine, both treatments decreasing the number of episodes by about 3 per day.
As far as the automotive industry is concerned, it is an industry that has become increasingly globalised and that consists of an ever decreasing number of companies.
At a European level, this sector is facing countless challenges and problems, particularly marketing issues, price volatility, difficulties in recruiting young beekeepers to the sector, decreasing numbers of bee colonies and an increase in mortality.
At the same time, however, we know that the decreasing number of contributors, the increase in expenditure on public health systems and the tightening of budgets in response to the convergence criteria are difficult to reconcile.
Member States which are affected and which have not yet done so should, therefore, develop national action plans or other appropriate frameworks to tackle energy poverty, aiming at decreasing the number of people suffering such situation.
Member States which are affected and which have not yet done so should, therefore, develop national action plans or other appropriate frameworks to tackle energy poverty, aiming at decreasing the number of people suffering such situation.

Alternatives:

reducing a number
subtracting from a number

a decreasing number

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to describe a number that is already decreasing or getting smaller.

Examples:

The temperature is showing a decreasing trend.
We observed a decreasing number of participants in the event.
The company reported a decreasing revenue.

Show examples from the web [+]

These changes have resulted in a decreasing number of consumers being protected when going on holiday.
Last week the Finnish Presidency admitted, inter alia, that practical experience has shown that problems with current decision-making at EU level are leading to a decreasing number of police cooperation initiatives.
According to this association of large employers, it will no longer be possible to finance the first pillar of the pensions system, which involves redistribution, as there is an increasing number of recipients and a decreasing number of contributors.
It will, without doubt, be a matter for our concern that there may be a decreasing number of small and medium-sized banks and financial institutions available with which the European Investment Bank can manage the flow of its funds.
The constantly decreasing number of people in work has resulted in drastic cutbacks in social security systems.
The steadily decreasing number of bidders in public tenders confirms this.
We are concerned at the growing concentration of media ownership among an ever-decreasing number of companies.
In Ireland decreasing numbers of young people are choosing science as a career option - a trend that is repeated across Europe.
This could help to reverse the trend of the decreasing number of consumers being protected when going on holiday.
Transport is also a sector which is particularly vulnerable in terms of security of supply, dependant on one commodity, oil, from decreasing number of sources.
The resolution says MEPs are "extremely worried" about the decreasing number of journalists accredited to the European Union Institutions like the Commission, Council and the Parliament.
All of us - Parliament, the decreasing number of farmers and also consumers - expect the proper application of EU legislation with inspections to that effect.
To a large extent, it is a vicious circle because as we increase and improve our technology, we require an ever decreasing number in the workforce.
As far as the automotive industry is concerned, it is an industry that has become increasingly globalised and that consists of an ever decreasing number of companies.
At a European level, this sector is facing countless challenges and problems, particularly marketing issues, price volatility, difficulties in recruiting young beekeepers to the sector, decreasing numbers of bee colonies and an increase in mortality.
At the same time, however, we know that the decreasing number of contributors, the increase in expenditure on public health systems and the tightening of budgets in response to the convergence criteria are difficult to reconcile.
That is why the growing number of reports on the decreasing number of bee colonies is very regrettable and requires urgent is particularly the case for the agricultural sector, because it is extremely dependent on the useful work of bees.
whereas European Union measures in this area are completely inadequate, and no longer have budgetary priority, as shown by the decreasing number of projects funded (10 in 1999 and two in 2002),
Mr President, as the President of the Estonian Ski Association, I agree with the concern mentioned in the report on the decreasing number of hours in both primary and secondary education for physical education.
whereas European Union measures in this area are completely inadequate, and whereas they no longer have budgetary priority, as shown by the decreasing number of projects funded (10 in 1999 and two in 2002),

Alternatives:

a declining number
a diminishing number

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decreasing a number vs a decreasing number