What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
shrink
Example
The sweater shrank in the wash. [shrank: past tense]
Example
The company's profits have shrunk over the past year. [shrunk: past participle]
Example
Her confidence shrank after the criticism. [shrank: verb]
reduce
Example
We need to reduce our carbon footprint. [reduce: verb]
Example
The recipe calls for reducing the sauce by half. [reducing: present participle]
Example
The company is looking to reduce costs by outsourcing. [reduce: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Reduce is more commonly used than shrink in everyday language. Reduce is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while shrink is less common and refers to specific contexts such as clothing or materials.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between shrink and reduce?
Both shrink and reduce can be used in formal and informal contexts, but reduce is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
