LoginDecrease vs. Decline
Both 'decline' and 'decrease' are concerned with becoming smaller or lessening. However, while 'decrease' is mostly used when referring to quantity and size, 'decline' is typically used when talking about quality and value. This lesson will explore the differences between these two verbs.
Difference in Connotation
'Decrease' is a more general and neutral term used to describe an objective reduction in size, number, or intensity. It can be used in various contexts, such as describing a decrease in temperature, population, or sales figures. 'Decline', on the other hand, is often associated with negative connotations and refers to a more subjective reduction, typically suggesting a deterioration in quantity, quality, value, or importance, such as deterioration of health, economic conditions, or the popularity of something. Here are some examples:
The temperature is expected to decrease throughout the week.
The temperature is expected to decline throughout the week.
Using 'decline' would imply that the reduction is undesirable and negative.
We need to decrease our expenses to stay within the budget.
The health of the patient started to decline rapidly.
The popularity of traditional newspapers has declined with the rise of digital media.
Grammatical Difference
'Decrease' is an ergative verb that can be used intransitively to mean to become less, or transitively to mean to make something become less. 'Decline' however, is always intransitive and only means to become less or worse. Take a look at some examples:
The quality of the product has declined as a result of cost-cutting measures.
The production costs have decreased as a result of cost-cutting measures.
'Decrease' as an intransitive verb
The company implemented cost-cutting measures to decrease production costs.
'Decrease' as a transitive verb
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