reduce

/rɪˈdjuːs/ (bre, ipa) · /rɪˈduːs/ (ame, ipa) · /ri-ˈdüs -ˈdyüs/ (ame, mw)

reduce — verb

  • reducepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • reduceshe / she / it
  • reducedpast simple
  • reducing-ing form

1. to cause something to drop to a lower level in size, amount, or importance; or t

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to cause something to drop to a lower level in size, amount, or importance; or to become lower in any of these ways by itself

例句

The doctor told Minho to reduce his sugar intake for better health.

reduce + noun phrase (intake / amount / cost)

Nikhil reduced his working hours so he could pick up his daughter from school.

同義詞
  • decrease

    slightly more formal; often used for statistics and numbers

  • lower

    focus on the level or position of something on a scale

  • cut

    more direct and deliberate; often implies a bigger drop

  • lessen

    more formal; suggests a gradual or partial reduction

反義詞
  • increase

    opposite direction — make larger in size or amount

  • raise

    opposite of 'lower'; used for prices, levels, or standards

文法句型

reduce + noun phrase

noun + reduce(s) + (adverb)

用法筆記

Can be used both transitively (someone reduces something) and intransitively (something reduces on its own). Very common in health, business, and environmental contexts.

常見錯誤

❌I reduced the letter to 500 words.
✅I shortened the letter to 500 words.
💡'Reduce' applies to size, amount, or degree, not to shortening a text when 'shorten' or 'cut' is more natural.
❌The price reduced by the store.
✅The store reduced the price.' or 'The price was reduced by the store.
💡With transitive use, the agent (store / company / person) must come before 'reduce'.

2. to cook a liquid like a sauce or stock by boiling so that it grows thicker and l

2.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to cook a liquid like a sauce or stock by boiling so that it grows thicker and loses volume; or for a liquid to thicken in this manner through heating

例句

Emre reduced the tomato sauce by simmering it on low heat for twenty minutes.

cooking: reduce + liquid by + simmering / boiling

The chef told Jason to reduce the chicken stock until about one cup remained.

同義詞
  • thicken

    focuses on the result (thicker texture), not the method

  • concentrate

    focuses on intensifying flavour rather than reducing volume

反義詞
  • dilute

    adding liquid to make something thinner or weaker

文法句型

reduce + liquid (by + cooking method)

liquid reduce(s) + (adverb)

用法筆記

Used mainly in cooking instructions and recipes. The subject is often a chef or cook, or the liquid itself. Common in imperative mood in cookbooks: 'Reduce the mixture until thickened.'

常見錯誤

❌I reduced the water for the tea.
✅I reduced the sauce for the pasta.
💡In cooking, 'reduce' applies to sauces, stocks, syrups, and other liquids that need thickening, not to plain water.

3. to move someone to a lower position or level, or to force someone or something i

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

to move someone to a lower position or level, or to force someone or something into a worse state or condition than before

例句

The factory closure reduced many workers in the town to a life of unemployment.

phrasal pattern: reduce + to + noun phrase (a condition / state)

When Benjamin lost his job, he was reduced to asking friends for loan money.

reduce to + -ing form (forced into doing something humiliating)

同義詞
  • demote

    specifically for rank or position in a job; more formal

  • downgrade

    for status, quality, or service level; often technical

  • degrade

    stronger; suggests loss of dignity or moral standing

反義詞
  • promote

    move to a higher position or rank

  • elevate

    raise to a higher status or level

文法句型

reduce + someone/something + to + noun

be reduced to + noun/-ing form

用法筆記

Almost always followed by 'to' + a noun phrase or the -ing form of a verb. Carries a strongly negative connotation, describing an unwelcome change to a less desirable state. Frequently used in passive voice.

常見錯誤

❌The company reduced John's position.' (ambiguous).
✅John was reduced to a junior position after the reorganisation.
💡For rank or status, the passive construction with 'to' is much more natural and clear.
❌She reduced him to cry.
✅She reduced him to tears.' or 'She reduced him to crying in front of everyone.
💡After 'reduce to', use a noun or the -ing form, not the bare infinitive.