decrease I. vi.& vt. /diˈkri:s/ 减少，下降；使减少： The number of traffic accidents decreased last year. 去年交通事故的次数减少了。The population had decreased from 80000 in 1845 to 60000 in 1851. 人口从1845年的8万下降到1851年的6万。‖II. n. /ˈdi:kri:s/［u］&［c］减少：This shows a slight decrease on the numbers of the previous week. 这表明比前一个星期的数目略有减少。Last year there was a 20% decrease in his earning. 去年他的收入减少了20%。on the decrease 在减少：Is crime on the decrease? 犯罪在减少吗?
［辨析］decrease意指某物在数量、程度等方面逐渐缩小、变少，作不及物动词用时较多。reduce不仅指在数量、程度上人为地缩小、减少，也可指人的地位、经济状况等的降低、下降。如：reduce the major to captain (把少校降职为上尉)
