What does the phrasal verb “reduce to” mean?

What are the definitions of “reduce to”?

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

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

  Stress had reduced him to a nervous wreck.

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

  The building was reduced to rubble by the explosion.

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

  This beautiful forest has been reduced to a wasteland.

What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “reduce to”?

The most common meaning of the phrasal verb reduce to is to cause someone or something to become a particular state or condition, often less desirable or valuable. For example, it can mean turning a beautiful forest into a wasteland or causing a person to become a nervous wreck due to stress.

What are the different verb forms of “reduce to”?

Root Verb	reduce to
Third Person Singular Present	reduces to
Present Participle	reducing to
Simple Past	reduced to
Past Participle	reduced to

Example

The explosion reduced the building to rubble.

Example

Stress reduces him to a nervous wreck.

Example

The fire is reducing the forest to ashes.

Example

The company was reduced to bankruptcy after the scandal.

Example

The once-thriving city was reduced to ruins after the war.

What kind of phrasal verb is “reduce to”?

📝

Notes from a Native English Speaker

What is a transitive and intransitive verb?
- A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.)
- An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)

Transitive verb

“reduce to” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.

Example

The explosion reduced the building to rubble.

Example

Stress reduced him to a nervous wreck.

📝

Notes from a Native English Speaker

What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb?
- A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle.
- An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.

Inseparable

“reduce to” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.

Example

The explosion reduced the building to rubble.

Example

Stress reduced him to a nervous wreck.

What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “reduce to”?

Reduce to tears

To cause someone to cry, usually due to sadness or emotional pain.

Example

The sad movie reduced her to tears.

Reduce to ashes

To completely destroy something, often by fire.

Example

The wildfire reduced the village to ashes.

Reduce to silence

To cause someone or a group of people to become quiet, often due to shock or surprise.

Example

The shocking news reduced the room to silence.

Good things to know

Does “reduce to” have an informal or formal tone?

Reduce to is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is appropriate for everyday conversations, as well as more formal settings, such as academic writing or professional discussions.

What are synonyms of antonyms to the phrasal verb “reduce to”?

Synonyms

• transform
• change
• convert
• alter
• turn into
• bring to

Antonyms

• improve
• enhance
• upgrade
• elevate
• increase
• augment