reduction/decrease

M

Maribelinna

Senior Member
Spanish (Spain)
Hello everybody,

What is the difference between these two nouns? I have got two examples as background, using one of them each. However, in my opinion they both can be used in both sentences. Here you are the examples:

'There has been a reduction in the number of robberies in our area'.

'Last year there was a decrease of three per cent in the rate of inflaction'.


So, why is it not possible to use reduction in the second example and vice versa?

Thanks in anticipation.
 
    • 'There has been a reduction in the number of robberies in our area'.
    'There has been a decrease in the number of robberies in our area'.

    'Last year there was a decrease of three per cent in the rate of inflation'.
    'Last year there was a reduction of three per cent in the rate of inflation'.

    Todos me suenan bien.
     
    I think "decrease" is the more natural word in both cases. I do think, however, that there is a tendency to use "reduction" to refer to the result of deliberate human action; "decrease" describes trends with or without reference to what caused them:

    We have achieved a 30% reduction in recidivism. (Because of specific steps we have taken.)
    There has been a 30% decrease in recidivism.     (We may or may not know why.)

    In many cases either word is fine.
     
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