What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
lower
Example
The company decided to lower the prices of their products. [lower: verb]
Example
Please lower your voice, people are trying to sleep. [lower: verb]
Example
The storm caused the river to lower its water level. [lower: verb]
reduce
Example
The government plans to reduce taxes for low-income families. [reduce: verb]
Example
We need to reduce the amount of waste we produce. [reduce: verb]
Example
The company had to reduce its workforce due to financial difficulties. [reduce: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Reduce is more commonly used than lower in everyday language, especially in academic or technical contexts. Lower is more commonly used in reference to physical objects or positions.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between lower and reduce?
Reduce is generally considered more formal than lower, and is often used in academic or technical writing. However, both words can be used in a variety of formality levels depending on the context.
