B1 Prepositions 14 min read Medium

How to Use 'Cut Down On' (Reducing Habits)

Mastering cut down on helps you talk about reducing habits naturally and effectively.
Mark as Learned
Practice it

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'cut down on' to describe reducing the amount or frequency of a habit or substance without stopping completely.

  • Always use all three words together: 'cut' + 'down' + 'on'. Example: 'I cut down on salt.'
  • Follow the phrase with a noun or an -ing verb. Example: 'Cut down on drinking.'
  • This verb is inseparable; you cannot put the object between the words. Example: 'Cut down on it,' not 'Cut it down on.'
Subject + ✂️ + ⬇️ + 🔛 + (Noun / Verb-ing)

Overview

Use 'cut down on' to do something less. Do not stop completely. Just do it less.

This is a very good way to talk about habits.

Talk with friends using this. Use the three words together. They mean one thing. Do not change the order.

You can say, 'I need to cut down on sugar.' You can say, 'I cut down on social media.' It means doing less.

How This Grammar Works

Keep 'cut down on' together. Use 'on' before the thing you change.
Use a thing or '-ing' word after 'on'. Say 'cut down on eating'. Don't say 'to eat'.
The word 'cut' stays the same. Say 'I cut' or 'she cuts'.
Example: 'Cut down on travel.' Or: 'She cut down on working late.' These show the right way.

Formation Pattern

1
Use 'cut', then 'down', then 'on'. Follow this pattern to speak well.
2
| How to use | Pattern | Example |
3
| :-------------------------------------- | :--------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------- |
4
| Use with things | Person + cut down on + thing | I cut down on coffee. |
5
| Use with -ing words | Person + cut down on + -ing | He cuts down on TV. |
6
Let's look at how to use the word 'cut'.
7
| Time | I, You, We, They | He, She, It | Example |
8
| :----------------- | :------------------------ | :-------------------- | :----------------------------------------------- |
9
| Simple Present | cut down on | cuts down on | We cut down on plastic. She cuts down on sweets. |
10
| Simple Past | cut down on | cut down on | I cut down on spending last month. |
11
| Present Perfect| have cut down on | has cut down on | They have cut down on fast food. |
12
| Doing it now | am / are cutting down on | is cutting down on | He is cutting down on smoking. |
13
Say 'I should cut down on coffee.' In the past, say 'She cut down on drinks.' Now, say 'We are cutting down on power.' Always put the thing after 'on'.

When To Use It

Use this for habits. It helps with health and money. It means 'less', not 'zero'.
  • Health and Wellness: When discussing dietary changes or lifestyle adjustments aimed at improving well-being. This is perhaps its most common application, reflecting a widespread cultural emphasis on healthier choices. My doctor advised me to cut down on processed foods. After my blood test, I decided to cut down on sugar.
  • Financial Management: To describe efforts to reduce expenditure or control spending habits. In an era of increasing financial literacy and budgeting, this phrasal verb is invaluable. We need to cut down on unnecessary expenses to save for a house. He cut down on his subscriptions to save money.
  • Time Management and Productivity: Referring to decreasing time spent on non-essential activities to free up time for more productive pursuits. I’m trying to cut down on social media scrolling during work hours. Students often need to cut down on gaming before exams.
  • Environmental Impact: When discussing individual contributions to reducing one's environmental footprint. Many people are choosing to cut down on single-use plastics. The company aims to cut down on its carbon emissions.
  • General Habits: Applicable to any habit that one wishes to practice less frequently or intensely, even if not inherently negative. It reflects a desire for balance. I’ve been trying to cut down on complaining, as it doesn't help anyone. You should cut down on multitasking; it often reduces efficiency. The core meaning always revolves around a deliberate effort to lessen an established pattern of behaviour or consumption.

When Not To Use It

Sometimes other words are better for work. Use this for daily life.
  • For Complete Elimination: Cut down on explicitly implies moderation or reduction, not total removal. If the intention is to stop something entirely, cut out is the appropriate phrasal verb. Using cut down on when meaning cut out would convey an unintended nuance of partial reduction. For example, if someone has decided to eliminate meat from their diet, they would say, I’m cutting out meat, not I’m cutting down on meat (unless they mean they are just eating less meat, but still some).
  • In Formal or Academic Writing: Due to its informal nature, cut down on is generally unsuitable for formal reports, academic essays, or professional documents. In such contexts, more formal synonyms like reduce, decrease, minimize, or curtail are preferred. For example, in a business report, you would write, The objective is to reduce operational costs, not The objective is to cut down on operational costs. The latter can sound conversational and lack the necessary gravitas.
  • For Physical Cutting Actions: Cut down (without on) specifically refers to felling a tree or dismantling a structure. Cut down on (with on) has an entirely idiomatic meaning of reduction. Confusing the two can lead to nonsensical statements. You cut down a tree with an axe, but you cut down on sugar in your diet. To say I need to cut down on that tree would incorrectly imply you want to reduce the tree itself, rather than reduce the action of felling trees.
  • When the Object is Not Quantifiable or Frequented: Cut down on requires an object that can be reduced in quantity or frequency. It is not used for abstract concepts that cannot be lessened or for unique, non-repetitive events. For example, you wouldn't say cut down on the idea or cut down on the singular event, as these lack the inherent possibility of moderation. The object must be something that can logically exist in 'lesser amounts' or 'fewer instances'.

Common Mistakes

Do not make mistakes with the word order. Learn the pattern.
  1. 1Omitting the Preposition on: This is arguably the most prevalent mistake. Without on, cut down reverts to its literal meaning of felling something (like a tree) or sometimes, more metaphorically, to diminish someone's influence. It completely alters the intended meaning of reduction. The preposition on is integral to the phrasal verb's idiomatic sense of reducing consumption or frequency.
  • Incorrect: I need to cut down sugar. (Implies physically chopping sugar, or perhaps an attempt to lessen its 'influence' in a very abstract way, not reducing intake.)
  • Correct: I need to cut down on sugar. (Meaning, reduce sugar consumption.)
  • Incorrect: She wants to cut down eating out.
  • Correct: She wants to cut down on eating out.
  1. 1Using an Infinitive Instead of a Gerund: As established, prepositions in English must be followed by a noun or a gerund. An infinitive (e.g., to eat, to smoke) cannot follow on in this construction. This is a fundamental grammatical rule that applies broadly, not just to cut down on.
  • Incorrect: He's trying to cut down on to smoke.
  • Correct: He's trying to cut down on smoking.
  • Incorrect: We should cut down on to spend.
  • Correct: We should cut down on spending.
  1. 1Confusing with cut out or cut off: These phrasal verbs share cut but convey vastly different meanings, leading to significant miscommunication if interchanged.
  • Cut out: Means to eliminate something entirely. If you are no longer doing or consuming something at all, cut out is the correct choice.
  • Example: I'm cutting out all unhealthy snacks from my diet. (Zero unhealthy snacks.)
  • Cut off: Means to interrupt something abruptly, sever a connection, or isolate someone/something. It does not relate to reduction of consumption.
  • Example: The power was cut off due to the storm. She cut off communication with her ex-partner.
  • Incorrect: I'm cutting out on fast food. (This is a blend of cut out and cut down on, and grammatically awkward/incorrect for reduction.)
  • Correct: I'm cutting down on fast food. (Reducing intake.) OR I'm cutting out fast food. (Eliminating it entirely.)
This helps you speak better English.

Common Collocations

Some words often go together. Use these pairs to sound natural.
Here are some of the most frequent collocations for cut down on:
  • Dietary and Consumption Habits:
  • cut down on sugar/sweets/desserts
  • cut down on caffeine/coffee/energy drinks
  • cut down on junk food/processed foods/red meat
  • cut down on alcohol/drinking
  • cut down on snacks/eating out
  • Financial Expenditure:
  • cut down on spending/expenses/unnecessary purchases
  • cut down on rent/utilities (though less common, implies finding cheaper alternatives)
  • Time-Related Activities:
  • cut down on screen time/social media/video games/TV
  • cut down on working late/overtime
  • cut down on procrastination
  • cut down on commuting
  • Environmental and Resource Use:
  • cut down on plastic/waste/emissions
  • cut down on water usage/electricity
  • cut down on driving
  • Stress and Negative Habits:
  • cut down on stress/anxiety
  • cut down on complaining/criticism
These pairs are very common. They help you sound like a native.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

'Reduce' means less. 'Cut out' means zero. 'Cut down on' means a bit less.
  1. 1Cut down on vs. Reduce:
  • Cut down on: This phrasal verb is informal and typically refers to a personal, conscious effort to lessen a habitual activity or consumption. It implies moderation and is often used in the context of self-improvement or lifestyle changes. The focus is on the individual's agency in decreasing something. I need to cut down on my weekly takeout. (Personal habit, informal)
  • Reduce: This verb is formal and much broader in application. It can refer to decreasing quantities, sizes, amounts, or levels in a general sense, not just personal habits. It is often used in scientific, business, or official contexts. The government aims to reduce unemployment rates. (Formal, general quantity) This new technology can reduce energy consumption significantly. (Formal, general level)
Analogy: Think of cut down on as a personal decision you discuss with a friend, while reduce is a metric presented in a professional report.
  1. 1Cut down on vs. Cut back (on):
  • Cut back (on): This phrasal verb is extremely similar to cut down on and is often interchangeable in many contexts. Both mean to lessen or decrease something. Cut back can sometimes imply a more general or less intense reduction than cut down on. While cut down on strongly emphasizes a specific target for reduction (e.g., cut down on sugar), cut back can be used more broadly, sometimes without on if the context is clear.
  • I need to cut back on expenses. (Can be used with or without on.)
  • She's trying to cut back on her screen time. (Interchangeable with cut down on here.)
  • Subtle Difference: Cut back can also imply reverting to a previous, lower level, or simply being more frugal in general. They've had to cut back since the recession. (General frugality, no on needed). Cut down on more consistently targets a specific item or activity for reduction.
  1. 1Cut down on vs. Cut out:
  • Cut down on: To reduce the quantity or frequency; to consume or do less of something, but not stop entirely. It's about moderation.
  • He's trying to cut down on chocolate. (He will still eat some chocolate, just less.)
  • Cut out: To eliminate completely; to stop doing, consuming, or including something entirely. It's about total cessation.
  • He's trying to cut out chocolate. (He will eat no chocolate at all.)
Do not mix them up. 'Cut down' is less. 'Cut out' is none.

Quick FAQ

Q: Can I use cut down without on to mean reduction?
You must use 'on'. Without 'on', it means cutting a tree. Use 'on' for habits.
Always use cut down on for moderation.
**Q: Is cut down on always about

2. Negative Contractions

Full Form Contraction Example
do not cut down on
don't cut down on
I don't cut down on sleep.
does not cut down on
doesn't cut down on
He doesn't cut down on salt.
did not cut down on
didn't cut down on
We didn't cut down on costs.
is not cutting down on
isn't cutting down on
She isn't cutting down on coffee.

Conjugating 'Cut Down On'

Tense Subject Form Object
Present Simple
I / You / We / They
cut down on
sugar
Present Simple
He / She / It
cuts down on
sugar
Past Simple
All subjects
cut down on
sugar
Present Continuous
I
am cutting down on
sugar
Present Continuous
He / She / It
is cutting down on
sugar
Present Perfect
I / You / We / They
have cut down on
sugar
Future (Will)
All subjects
will cut down on
sugar
Gerund
N/A
cutting down on
sugar

Meanings

To reduce the size, amount, or number of something that you consume or do regularly.

1

Consumption Reduction

Eating or drinking less of a specific substance for health reasons.

“I'm trying to cut down on caffeine this month.”

“You should cut down on sugar if you want to lose weight.”

2

Financial/Resource Reduction

Spending less money or using fewer resources like electricity or gas.

“We are cutting down on our travel expenses this year.”

“The company is trying to cut down on paper waste.”

3

Activity/Habit Frequency

Doing an activity less often, such as using social media or watching TV.

“I've decided to cut down on social media usage.”

“He is cutting down on his gaming hours to study more.”

Reference Table

Reference table for How to Use 'Cut Down On' (Reducing Habits)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Subject + cut + down + on + Noun
I cut down on meat.
Negative
Subject + do/does not + cut + down + on
He doesn't cut down on fat.
Question
Do/Does + Subject + cut + down + on...?
Do you cut down on sugar?
Continuous
Subject + be + cutting + down + on
They are cutting down on waste.
Past
Subject + cut (past) + down + on
She cut down on expenses last month.
Gerund Object
Subject + cut + down + on + Verb-ing
I cut down on drinking soda.
With Pronoun
Subject + cut + down + on + it/them
I need to cut down on it.
Modal
Subject + should + cut + down + on
You should cut down on salt.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
It is advisable to reduce your daily intake of caffeine.

It is advisable to reduce your daily intake of caffeine. (Health advice)

Neutral
I need to cut down on coffee.

I need to cut down on coffee. (Health advice)

Informal
I'm cutting back on the java.

I'm cutting back on the java. (Health advice)

Slang
Gotta chill on the brews.

Gotta chill on the brews. (Health advice)

What can you cut down on?

Cut Down On

Health

  • Sugar Sugar
  • Salt Salt
  • Caffeine Caffeine

Money

  • Spending Spending
  • Expenses Expenses
  • Shopping Shopping

Time

  • Social Media Social Media
  • Gaming Gaming
  • TV TV

Cut Down On vs. Cut Out

Cut Down On
Reduce From 5 to 1
Less I still eat some.
Cut Out
Eliminate From 5 to 0
None I eat zero.

Is it 'Cut Down On'?

1

Are you stopping completely?

YES
Use 'Cut Out'
NO
Continue
2

Are you reducing the amount?

YES
Use 'Cut Down On'
NO
Use another verb

Grammar Checklist

📏

Word Order

  • • Never split the words
  • • Object at the end
  • • Fixed order
📝

Verb Form

  • • Cut (Present)
  • • Cut (Past)
  • • Cutting (Continuous)
🍎

Object Type

  • • Noun (Sugar)
  • • Gerund (Smoking)
  • • Pronoun (It)
Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

I cut down on soda.

2

He cuts down on sweets.

3

We cut down on TV.

4

Do you cut down on salt?

1

I am cutting down on chocolate.

2

She needs to cut down on coffee.

3

They cut down on plastic bags.

4

You shouldn't cut down on sleep.

1

I've been trying to cut down on social media lately.

2

The doctor advised him to cut down on drinking.

3

We had to cut down on our spending after the holidays.

4

Is it hard to cut down on smoking?

1

The government is urging citizens to cut down on energy consumption.

2

If we don't cut down on carbon emissions, the climate will suffer.

3

I've successfully cut down on my commute by working from home.

4

She's cutting down on her commitments to avoid burnout.

1

The report suggests cutting down on administrative overhead to improve efficiency.

2

Despite his efforts to cut down on fatty foods, his health remained poor.

3

The city council aims to cut down on traffic congestion by expanding the subway.

4

He found it nearly impossible to cut down on his workload during the peak season.

1

The initiative was designed to cut down on the bureaucratic red tape stifling innovation.

2

One must cut down on the extraneous variables to ensure a valid scientific experiment.

3

The author's latest revision focuses on cutting down on the verbose descriptions of the setting.

4

The CEO's mandate to cut down on operational redundancies was met with significant resistance.

Easily Confused

How to Use 'Cut Down On' (Reducing Habits) vs Cut Out

Learners think they mean the same thing. They both involve reduction.

How to Use 'Cut Down On' (Reducing Habits) vs Cut Back On

These are almost identical and very confusing.

How to Use 'Cut Down On' (Reducing Habits) vs Reduce

One is a phrasal verb, one is a formal verb.

Common Mistakes

✗

I cut down sugar.

✓

I cut down on sugar.

You must use 'on' before the object.
✗

He cutted down on salt.

✓

He cut down on salt.

'Cut' is an irregular verb. The past tense is 'cut'.
✗

I cut down on to eat cake.

✓

I cut down on eating cake.

Use a gerund (-ing), not an infinitive (to + verb).
✗

I cut down on the my coffee.

✓

I cut down on my coffee.

Don't use 'the' before a possessive adjective.
✗

I am cut down on coffee.

✓

I am cutting down on coffee.

Use the -ing form for the present continuous.
✗

She cuts down on smoke.

✓

She cuts down on smoking.

'Smoke' is the noun for the cloud; 'smoking' is the habit.
✗

We cut down on spend money.

✓

We cut down on spending money.

The object must be a noun or gerund.
✗

I cut sugar down on.

✓

I cut down on sugar.

This phrasal verb is inseparable.
✗

I've cutted down on it.

✓

I've cut down on it.

The past participle of 'cut' is 'cut'.
✗

I need to cut down on the social medias.

✓

I need to cut down on social media.

'Social media' is usually uncountable in this context.
✗

The company cut down on its staff.

✓

The company cut down on its staff numbers / reduced its staff.

'Cut down on' is usually for habits/substances; for people, 'cut' or 'reduce' is better.
✗

I cut down on it to save money.

✓

I cut down on it to save money.

Correct, but 'cut back on' is more common for money.

Sentence Patterns

I'm trying to cut down on ___.

It's a good idea to cut down on ___ if you want to ___.

Have you ever considered cutting down on ___?

The most difficult thing to cut down on is ___.

Real World Usage

Doctor's Appointment very common

You really need to cut down on your salt intake.

Budgeting App common

You've cut down on dining out by 20% this month!

Social Media Caption very common

Cutting down on screen time to focus on my mental health. 🌿

Job Interview occasional

In my last role, I helped the team cut down on project delays.

Environmental Blog common

Ten easy ways to cut down on your plastic waste at home.

Texting a Friend constant

I'm cutting down on coffee, so let's get tea instead?

Sign up free to see all examples
💡

The 'On' Rule

If there is an object (like sugar), you MUST use 'on'. If there is no object, you can just say 'I need to cut down.'
⚠️

Don't Split!

Never put a word between 'cut', 'down', and 'on'. They are a team and must stay together.
🎯

Use Gerunds

To sound more natural, use the -ing form of a verb after 'on'. 'Cut down on smoking' sounds better than 'Cut down on cigarettes'.
💬

Polite Refusal

Use this phrase to politely decline food or drink. 'No thanks, I'm trying to cut down on sugar.'

Smart Tips

Use 'cut down on' to sound more natural than 'reduce'.

I am reducing my sugar intake. → I'm cutting down on sugar.

Always put 'it' at the very end.

I need to cut it down on. → I need to cut down on it.

Switch to 'cut back on'.

We need to cut down on our budget. → We need to cut back on our budget.

After 'on', it is ALWAYS '-ing'.

I cut down on to drink soda. → I cut down on drinking soda.

Pronunciation

kʌt daʊn ɒn

Linking

The 't' in 'cut' often links to the 'd' in 'down', and the 'n' in 'down' links to the 'o' in 'on'. It sounds like /kʌt-daʊ-nɒn/.

cut DOWN on

Stress

The primary stress is usually on the word 'down'.

Falling intonation

I need to cut down on ↘ sugar.

A definitive statement about a goal.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a tree: you 'cut' it 'down' to make it smaller, and you do it 'on' a specific habit.

Visual Association

Imagine a volume knob on a radio. You aren't turning the radio off (cut out); you are just turning the volume 'down' (cut down on).

Rhyme

To live a life that's long and sweet, cut down on the sugar and the meat.

Story

Bob went to the doctor. The doctor said, 'Bob, you eat too many burgers.' Bob didn't want to stop eating burgers completely because he loves them. So, he decided to cut down on them. Now he only eats one burger a week instead of seven.

Word Web

ReduceLessHabitHealthBudgetSugarSpending

Challenge

Look in your fridge or your bank app. Find one thing you use too much of. Write a sentence: 'I am going to cut down on ____.'

Cultural Notes

In many English-speaking countries, 'cutting down on' things like sugar, gluten, or alcohol is a common topic of small talk and social bonding.

With the rise of 'green' living, people often talk about cutting down on plastic or their carbon footprint.

In business, 'cutting down on' is often a polite way to discuss budget cuts or layoffs without using harsh language.

The verb 'cut' comes from Old English 'cyttan'. The phrasal combination 'cut down' originally meant to literally fell a tree.

Conversation Starters

“

Is there anything you are trying to cut down on right now?

“

What should people cut down on to live a longer life?

“

If you had to cut down on one monthly expense, what would it be?

“

Do you think society needs to cut down on its reliance on technology?

Journal Prompts

Write about a habit you used to have but decided to cut down on.
Describe a plan to help your family cut down on household waste.
Discuss the challenges of cutting down on social media in the modern world.
Write a letter to your future self about the things you want to cut down on.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Sign up free to see all tips

Test Yourself

Complete the sentence with the missing words.

I need to cut ___ ___ on my caffeine intake.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: down
The full phrase is 'cut down on'.
Choose the correct form of the verb. Multiple Choice

She is ___ down on social media.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: cutting
The present continuous 'is cutting' is needed here.
Find the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

He cutted down on salt last year.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: cutted
The past tense of 'cut' is 'cut'.
Rewrite the sentence using 'cut down on'. Sentence Transformation

I want to eat less chocolate. -> I want to ___ ___ ___ chocolate.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: cut down on
'Cut down on' means to eat less of something.
Is this sentence grammatically correct? True False Rule

'I need to cut sugar down on.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
The phrase is inseparable; the object must come at the end.
Choose the best response. Dialogue Completion

Doctor: 'Your sugar levels are high.' Patient: 'I know, I'll ___.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: cut down on it
'Cut down on it' is the correct way to use a pronoun with this phrase.
Which of these can follow 'cut down on'? Grammar Sorting

Select the correct category.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Noun or Gerund
You can cut down on 'sugar' (noun) or 'eating' (gerund).
Match the phrase with its meaning. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1: Reduce, 2: Eliminate
'Cut down on' is for reduction, 'cut out' is for total removal.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Complete the sentence with the missing words.

I need to cut ___ ___ on my caffeine intake.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: down
The full phrase is 'cut down on'.
Choose the correct form of the verb. Multiple Choice

She is ___ down on social media.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: cutting
The present continuous 'is cutting' is needed here.
Find the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

He cutted down on salt last year.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: cutted
The past tense of 'cut' is 'cut'.
Rewrite the sentence using 'cut down on'. Sentence Transformation

I want to eat less chocolate. -> I want to ___ ___ ___ chocolate.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: cut down on
'Cut down on' means to eat less of something.
Is this sentence grammatically correct? True False Rule

'I need to cut sugar down on.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
The phrase is inseparable; the object must come at the end.
Choose the best response. Dialogue Completion

Doctor: 'Your sugar levels are high.' Patient: 'I know, I'll ___.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: cut down on it
'Cut down on it' is the correct way to use a pronoun with this phrase.
Which of these can follow 'cut down on'? Grammar Sorting

Select the correct category.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Noun or Gerund
You can cut down on 'sugar' (noun) or 'eating' (gerund).
Match the phrase with its meaning. Match Pairs

1. Cut down on, 2. Cut out

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1: Reduce, 2: Eliminate
'Cut down on' is for reduction, 'cut out' is for total removal.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

11 exercises
Choose the correct form to complete the sentence. Fill in the Blank

He decided to `cut down ___ his daily sugar intake`.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: on
Which sentence correctly uses 'cut down on'? Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: My mom wants me to cut down on playing video games.
Find and fix the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

The company needs to cut down costs to remain competitive.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The company needs to cut down on costs to remain competitive.
Type the correct English sentence using 'cut down on'. Translation

Translate into English: 'I think I should have less social media time.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["I think I should cut down on social media.","I think I should cut down on social media time."]
Put the words in order to form a grammatically correct question. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Do you need to cut down on caffeine?
Match the type of reduction with the appropriate phrasal verb. Match Pairs

Match the types of actions with the correct phrasal verbs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched
Choose the best option to complete the sentence. Fill in the Blank

Many doctors recommend their patients to `cut down on ___ highly processed foods`.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: eating
Identify the incorrect usage and select the correct sentence. Error Correction

I'm planning to cut down to drive to work every day.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I'm planning to cut down on driving to work every day.
Select the sentence that correctly expresses the idea of reducing something. Multiple Choice

Which statement is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: We need to cut down on our expenses.
Translate the phrase into English using 'cut down on'. Translation

Translate into English: 'I should consume less caffeine.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["I should cut down on caffeine."]
Rearrange the words to form a coherent sentence. Sentence Reorder

Form a sentence from these words:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I'm definitely trying to cut down on procrastinating.

Score: /11

FAQ (8)

No. In English, if you have an object, you must include 'on'. Say `cut down on sugar`.

Use `cut down` alone if you don't mention the object (e.g., 'I need to cut down'). Use `cut down on` when you name the object (e.g., 'I need to cut down on sugar').

It is neutral. It's fine for work emails and daily conversation, but in a very formal scientific paper, you might use `reduce` or `curtail`.

Usually, no. You cut down on things or habits. If you want to see a person less, you might say 'I'm spending less time with them.'

They are almost the same! `Cut back on` is slightly more common for money and budgets, while `cut down on` is more common for food and habits.

The past tense is `cut down on`. The verb 'cut' does not change in the past tense.

Yes! This is very common. For example: `I am cutting down on smoking`.

No. It is an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot put the object in the middle.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Sign up free to practice

In Other Languages

Spanish low

Reducir / Consumir menos

Spanish doesn't use particles like 'down' or 'on' to modify the verb 'reduce'.

French low

Réduire / Diminuer

French verbs are self-contained and don't require directional particles for this meaning.

German moderate

Reduzieren / Einschränken

German speakers might try to put 'down' at the end of the sentence like a German separable prefix.

Japanese none

Herasu (減らす)

Japanese uses a single transitive verb without any prepositional particles.

Arabic none

Taqleel (تقليل)

Arabic relies on morphological changes to the verb root rather than phrasal particles.

Chinese none

Jiǎnshǎo (减少)

Chinese uses adverbial modifiers before the verb instead of phrasal particles after it.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
How to Use 'Back Up' (Move, Support, Save)
Next
Stopping and Quitting (Give up)

Related Videos

Awesome Blossom Onion Bites | Crispy Blooming Onion Fritters | Food Wishes 08:38

Awesome Blossom Onion Bites | Crispy Blooming Onion Fritters | Food Wishes

Related Grammar Rules

C1

The Phrasal Verb 'Face up to' (Accepting Reality)

Overview The phrasal verb `face up to` represents a critical concept for C1 English learners, denoting the often challen...
A1

Time Prepositions: in, on, at

Overview "In", "on", and "at" are very important words. They help you talk about time. They tell people when things happ...
B1

Phrasal Verb: Take off (Removing & Departing)

Overview Phrasal verbs are a fundamental aspect of natural English, and `take off` stands out as particularly versatile...
B1

Wait a second! Using 'Hold on'

Overview `Hold on` is a highly versatile phrasal verb in English, primarily used to request a pause or to maintain a con...
B1

Dressing Up: Formal Clothes & Costumes (Dress up)

Overview `Dress up` is a versatile phrasal verb in English, crucial for describing the act of wearing special attire. It...
Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!