Cool MateDecrease vs Kind of a step down
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Decrease
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Kind of a step down
InformalTop 3,000 (common)
Most formal: DecreaseMost common: Decrease
| Decrease | Kind of a step down | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dɪˈkriːs//🇺🇸 //dɪˈkriːs// | 🇬🇧 //kaɪnd ɒv ə stɛp daʊn//🇺🇸 //kaɪnd əv ə stɛp daʊn// |
| Meaning | To make something smaller or lower. | Not as good as before |
| Example | The government plans to decrease taxes next year. | After the promotion, the new job was kind of a step down from what I expected. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | decrease in size, decrease in temperature, significantly decrease, gradually decrease, decrease the risk | kind of a disappointment, kind of a downgrade, kind of a shame |
| Antonyms | increase, rise, augment | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'decrease' with 'increase'., Using 'decrease' without an object, e.g. 'decrease' must have something to decrease., Incorrectly conjugating the verb in different tenses. | Using it in a formal context., Confusing it with 'kind of a step up', which means an improvement., Overusing it in professional discussions. |
| Usage notes | Use 'decrease' in formal and neutral contexts to describe reductions, such as in appetite or temperature. | Used in casual conversation to describe a situation that is less favorable or of lower quality. Not suitable for formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Decrease vs Kind of a step down
What's the difference between Decrease and Kind of a step down?
Decrease: To make something smaller or lower. Kind of a step down: Not as good as before
Which is more formal: Decrease and Kind of a step down?
Decrease is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Decrease and Kind of a step down?
Decrease is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Decrease: The government plans to decrease taxes next year. Kind of a step down: After the promotion, the new job was kind of a step down from what I expected.
Can I use Decrease and Kind of a step down interchangeably?
Not always. Decrease and Kind of a step down are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.