Phrasal verbs "come to" vs "reduce to"

Differences between come to and reduce to

Come to usually means to reach a conclusion or decision after considering all the facts, while reduce to generally means to simplify or break down something complex into its basic components.

Meanings and Definitions: come to vs reduce to

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Come to

  • 1Become conscious, wake up from anaesthetic.

    She CAME TO an hour after the operation.

  • 2Result in.

    The two men started arguing but they soon CAME TO blows and started fighting in earnest.

Reduce to

  • 1To cause someone or something to become a particular state or condition.

    Stress had reduced him to a nervous wreck.

  • 2To cause something to become something else, usually something less significant or valuable.

    The building was reduced to rubble by the explosion.

  • 3To cause something to become something else, usually something less desirable or valuable.

    This beautiful forest has been reduced to a wasteland.

Usage Examples: come to, reduce to in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

come to

Example

When will he come to after the surgery?

Example

She comes to quickly after fainting.

reduce to

Example

The explosion reduced the building to rubble.

Example

Stress reduces him to a nervous wreck.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Come to

make up one's mind

To reach a decision after considering all the options or information available.

Example

After weighing the pros and cons, she finally made up her mind about which job offer to accept.

To reach a decision or judgment after analyzing all the evidence or information available.

Example

After reviewing the data, the researchers were able to arrive at a conclusion about the effectiveness of the new drug.

To make a choice or come to a decision after considering all the options or factors involved.

Example

After much deliberation, they were finally able to decide on a location for their wedding.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Reduce to

To analyze or simplify something complex into its basic components or parts.

Example

The teacher was able to break down the difficult math problem into smaller, more manageable steps.

simplify

To make something easier to understand or do by reducing its complexity or removing unnecessary details.

Example

The software company decided to simplify their user interface to make it more user-friendly.

To summarize or reduce something complex to its most essential or important elements.

Example

After hours of discussion, they realized that the problem boiled down to a lack of communication between team members.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Differences in come to vs reduce to: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: come to or reduce to?

In daily conversation, people use come to more often than reduce to. This is because come to is used in a variety of situations where a decision or conclusion is reached, such as in personal relationships or work-related matters. Reduce to is less common and is mainly used in academic or technical contexts.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of come to and reduce to

Come to and reduce to are both relatively formal phrases and are suitable for use in academic or professional settings. However, reduce to is more technical and may not be appropriate for everyday conversations.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of come to and reduce to

The tone of come to and reduce to can differ based on context. Come to often carries a serious or thoughtful tone when related to decision-making, while reduce to typically has a more analytical or technical tone, especially when referring to breaking down complex ideas or systems.

come to & reduce to: Synonyms and Antonyms

Come to

Synonyms

  • recover
  • reach
  • regain consciousness
  • wake up
  • result in
  • lead to
  • arrive at

Antonyms

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