What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dropping
Example
The temperature is dropping rapidly, so we should wear warmer clothes. [dropping: present participle]
Example
I accidentally dropped my phone and cracked the screen. [dropped: past tense]
Example
The bird was dropping lower and lower until it finally landed on the branch. [dropping: present participle]
decrease
Example
The company's profits have been decreasing steadily over the past year. [decreasing: present participle]
Example
We need to decrease the amount of sugar in our diet for better health. [decrease: verb]
Example
The medication helped to decrease the patient's pain levels. [decrease: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Decrease is more commonly used than dropping in everyday language, especially in formal and academic contexts. Decrease is a versatile word that can cover a wide range of contexts and meanings, while dropping is less common and more informal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dropping and decrease?
While dropping is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, decrease is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
