C1 Prepositions 13 min read Medium

Phrasal Verb: 'Cut down on' (Reduce Habits)

Master 'cut down on' to naturally discuss reducing habits or consumption in English.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'cut down on' to describe reducing the amount or frequency of a habit, expense, or consumption without stopping it entirely.

  • Always use 'on' before the object (e.g., 'cut down on sugar').
  • It is inseparable; you cannot put the object between the words.
  • The verb 'cut' is irregular: cut (present), cut (past), cut (past participle).
Subject + cut (conjugated) + down + on + 📉 Object

Overview

Cut down on means to do or use less of something.

Cut means less. Down on shows what thing you change.

How This Grammar Works

You must say the name of the thing you use less.
Cut and down together mean the amount goes lower.
Always use on before the thing. It is very important.
Use this for food, drinks, or things you do often.

Formation Pattern

1
Say: person + cut down on + the thing.
2
Person + cut down on + thing.
3
The parts of the sentence.
4
|:------------|:---------------------------------------------------|:-----------------------------------------------------------------|\
5
| Subject | The person or entity performing the reduction. | I, She, The company, Many people |\
6
The word cut stays the same for now and before.
7
The word down shows the amount goes lower.
8
The word on connects to the thing.
9
The thing you use less, like coffee or sugar.
10
Examples:
11
We should use less plastic to help the world.
12
He wants to eat at restaurants less often.
13
The office should do less extra work.
14
Cut is easy. It does not change in the past.

When To Use It

Use this when you try to be healthy or save money.
  • Health and Lifestyle: This is perhaps the most prevalent application. You use cut down on to discuss reducing unhealthy food intake, substance consumption, or sedentary activities.
  • My doctor advised me to cut down on red meat for heart health.
  • She's attempting to cut down on her screen time, especially before bed, to improve sleep quality.
  • Financial Management: When discussing strategies to save money by reducing expenditures, cut down on is a natural fit.
  • To afford the new apartment, we seriously need to cut down on discretionary spending.
  • The company plans to cut down on travel expenses by utilizing more video conferencing.
  • Time and Productivity: While less common than health or finance, it can be used to indicate reducing time spent on less productive activities to free up time for others.
  • I resolved to cut down on late-night gaming sessions to focus more on my studies.
  • Environmental Responsibility: In discussions about sustainability, cut down on effectively conveys efforts to reduce consumption that impacts the environment.
  • Many consumers are striving to cut down on their plastic waste by reusing bags and containers.
It means you are trying to change slowly.

When Not To Use It

Learn when to use these words correctly.
  • Highly Formal or Academic Writing: In formal reports, academic papers, or official documents, cut down on can appear too informal. Prefer single-word alternatives that convey a more authoritative tone.
  • Instead of: The university should cut down on administrative overhead.
  • Prefer: The university should reduce administrative overhead. or The university should curtail administrative overhead.
  • One-Time or Non-Repeated Actions: Cut down on applies to habitual or recurring activities/consumptions. It is inappropriate for singular events or actions that are not part of an ongoing pattern.
  • Incorrect: I need to cut down on watching that specific movie. (You would simply avoid or stop watching it.)
  • Correct: I need to cut down on watching movies every night. (Implies a habitual activity.)
  • Irreversible or Non-Quantifiable Concepts: You cannot cut down on abstract concepts like happiness, memories, or past events because they are not amounts or frequencies that can be gradually lessened. It must refer to something tangible or a recurring action.
  • Incorrect: She tries to cut down on her sadness.
  • Correct: She tries to cut down on activities that make her sad.
  • Direct Reduction of Physical, Immovable Objects: While you can cut down on buying physical objects, you cannot typically cut down on the objects themselves. The phrasing implies reducing the act of consuming or acquiring.
  • Incorrect: They want to cut down on their furniture.
  • Correct: They want to cut down on buying new furniture. or They want to reduce the amount of furniture they own. (using a different verb)
Using these words helps you speak good English.

Common Mistakes

Do not forget to say the word on.
  1. 1Omitting on: This is by far the most frequent error. Saying I need to cut down sugar changes the meaning entirely, suggesting a literal action of physically cutting sugar, perhaps with a knife. The preposition on is indispensable for conveying the meaning of reducing a habit or consumption.
  • Incorrect: The nutritionist advised her to cut down unhealthy fats.
  • Correct: The nutritionist advised her to cut down on unhealthy fats.
  • Incorrect: He wants to cut down expenses.
  • Correct: He wants to cut down on expenses.
  1. 1Confusing with cut down (without on): Without on, cut down can mean to fell something (e.g., cut down a tree) or to reduce in quantity or size more generally, often implying elimination or significant reduction of a group or number, not a personal habit. This confusion arises because both involve reduction, but the specific type and target differ.
  • They cut down three old trees in the park. (Felled)
  • The company cut down the number of available positions. (Reduced numbers in a general sense)
  • These differ from I need to cut down on eating sweets.
  1. 1Using an Inappropriate Object: As discussed, cut down on requires an object that represents a habit, consumption, or recurring activity. Using abstract, non-quantifiable concepts or singular events is a common misapplication.
  • Incorrect: She needs to cut down on her anger. (You cannot reduce anger as a quantity; you might manage or control it.)
  • Correct: She needs to cut down on yelling when she's angry.
Knowing these mistakes helps you speak better.

Common Collocations

These words usually go together in English.
  • Food and Drink:
  • cut down on sugar / sweets / desserts
  • cut down on processed foods / junk food / fast food
  • cut down on caffeine / coffee / energy drinks
  • cut down on alcohol / smoking / vaping
  • cut down on meat / dairy (often for health or ethical reasons)
  • Finances:
  • cut down on expenses / spending / debt
  • cut down on unnecessary purchases
  • Media and Screen Time:
  • cut down on screen time / social media / Netflix / gaming
  • cut down on watching TV / browsing the internet
  • Work and Commitments:
  • cut down on work hours / overtime / commitments
  • cut down on stress (by reducing sources of stress)
  • Other Habits:
  • cut down on driving (to save fuel or reduce environmental impact)
  • cut down on waste / single-use plastics
These examples help you speak more naturally.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

Many words mean "less". This word is special. Learn how to use it.
| Word | Meaning | How to use | Example |
|:----------------|:-----------------------------------------|:----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|:------------------------------------------------------------------------------|\
Do something less. Do it slowly. It is good for your health.
| I’m trying to cut down on coffee; it makes me jittery. |\
| cut back on | Very similar to cut down on. | Largely interchangeable with cut down on. Both refer to reducing consumption or activity.
Use this for saving money. Example: We eat at home to save money.
Make something small. Use it for any thing or any amount.
Can be abrupt or gradual. | The company aims to reduce its carbon footprint by 20% by 2030. |\
This is a very formal word. It means to limit or stop.
| The government decided to curtail public expenditure during the recession.|\
Stop doing something. Do not do it anymore. It is 100% stop.
| After years of trying, he finally managed to give up smoking completely. |\
Pick a top number. Do not go over it. Control the amount.
| You should limit your sugar intake to 25 grams a day. |\
"Cut down" means less. "Give up" means zero. One is small, one is none.

Quick FAQ

  • Q: What is the primary difference between cut down on and cut back on?
  • A: In contemporary English, cut down on and cut back on are largely interchangeable. Both indicate a reduction in the amount, frequency, or intensity of a habit or consumption. Any perceived difference is often negligible or context-dependent, with cut down on possibly carrying a slightly stronger implication of addressing an excessive habit.
  • Q: Can cut down on be used for one-time events?
  • A: No. Cut down on is exclusively for ongoing habits, repeated actions, or continuous consumption. It cannot be applied to singular, non-recurring events. You would not cut down on a specific past mistake, but you might cut down on making similar mistakes in the future.
  • Q: Why is on so important in cut down on? What happens if I omit it?
  • A: The preposition on is crucial because it links the action of reduction to the specific habit or consumption. Omitting on significantly alters the meaning. Cut down (without on) means to fell something (like a tree) or to reduce numbers generally, often implying destruction or a significant numerical decrease, not a moderated personal habit.
  • Q: Is cut down on appropriate for formal academic or business writing?
  • A: Generally, no. Cut down on is considered informal to neutral. For highly formal contexts, it is advisable to use more formal verbs such as reduce, decrease, curtail, or minimize to maintain an appropriate register.
  • Q: Does cut down on always imply a negative habit?
  • A: Not necessarily negative, but it always implies something you consciously choose to lessen because 'less' is perceived as 'better' for a specific goal. This could be for health reasons, financial prudence, environmental conservation, or improving productivity, even if the habit itself isn't inherently 'bad'. For instance, cutting down on meat for environmental reasons is a conscious choice, not necessarily a negative habit.
  • Q: What are some common objects that follow cut down on?
  • A: Common objects include consumables like sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and processed foods; activities such as screen time, social media, and eating out; and expenditures like expenses or spending. It's typically followed by a noun phrase or a gerund phrase representing the habit or consumption.
  • Q: How does cut down on differ from give up?
  • A: Cut down on denotes a reduction, a lessening of amount or frequency, while give up signifies complete cessation or abandonment. If you cut down on chocolate, you eat less of it. If you give up chocolate, you stop eating it entirely. This is a significant distinction in commitment and outcome.

2. Negative Contractions

Full Form Contraction
do not cut down on
don't cut down on
does not cut down on
doesn't cut down on
did not cut down on
didn't cut down on
have not cut down on
haven't cut down on

Conjugation of 'Cut down on'

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

Meanings

To consume or do less of something, typically for health, financial, or environmental reasons.

1

Health & Diet

Reducing intake of food, drink, or substances.

“The doctor told him to cut down on red meat.”

“She's cutting down on salt to lower her blood pressure.”

2

Financial/Budgetary

Reducing expenditures or the use of resources.

“We need to cut down on our monthly subscriptions.”

“The company is cutting down on travel expenses this year.”

3

Environmental/Abstract

Reducing waste, emissions, or time spent on activities.

“We must cut down on our carbon footprint.”

“I'm trying to cut down on the time I spend on social media.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Phrasal Verb: 'Cut down on' (Reduce Habits)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Subj + cut down on + Obj
I cut down on salt.
Negative
Subj + don't cut down on + Obj
I don't cut down on sleep.
Question
Do + Subj + cut down on + Obj?
Do you cut down on fat?
Past
Subj + cut down on + Obj
She cut down on sugar yesterday.
Continuous
Subj + is cutting down on + Obj
He is cutting down on smoking.
Modal
Subj + should cut down on + Obj
You should cut down on stress.
Gerund as Subject
Cutting down on + Obj + is...
Cutting down on waste is vital.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
It is advisable to reduce one's intake of refined sugars.

It is advisable to reduce one's intake of refined sugars. (Dietary advice)

Neutral
I'm trying to cut down on sugar.

I'm trying to cut down on sugar. (Dietary advice)

Informal
I'm cutting back on the sweet stuff.

I'm cutting back on the sweet stuff. (Dietary advice)

Slang
I'm ditching the sugar high.

I'm ditching the sugar high. (Dietary advice)

What can you cut down on?

Cut down on

Health

  • Sugar sugar
  • Alcohol alcohol

Finance

  • Expenses expenses
  • Spending spending

Environment

  • Waste waste
  • Plastic plastic

Cut Down On vs. Cut Out

Cut Down On
Reduce Eat 1 cookie instead of 5
Cut Out
Stop Eat 0 cookies

Is it 'Cut Down' or 'Cut Down On'?

1

Are you talking about a tree?

YES
Use 'Cut down'
NO
Continue
2

Are you reducing a habit?

YES
Use 'Cut down on'
NO
Check other phrasal verbs

Common Collocations

🍎

Food/Drink

  • • Sugar
  • • Caffeine
  • • Dairy
  • • Carbs
💼

Business

  • • Overheads
  • • Redundancies
  • • Costs
  • • Waste
📱

Lifestyle

  • • Screen time
  • • Social media
  • • Smoking
  • • Drinking
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Examples by Level

1

I cut down on sweets.

2

He cuts down on soda.

3

Do you cut down on salt?

4

We cut down on TV.

1

I am trying to cut down on chocolate.

2

She cut down on coffee last week.

3

They don't cut down on water.

4

Can you cut down on the noise?

1

If you want to save money, you should cut down on eating out.

2

The government wants to cut down on pollution.

3

I've been cutting down on my screen time lately.

4

It's hard to cut down on sugar when you love baking.

1

The company had to cut down on travel expenses due to the recession.

2

By cutting down on plastic, we can help the oceans.

3

He's finally cutting down on his heavy workload.

4

Have they considered cutting down on their energy consumption?

1

We need to cut down on the bureaucratic hurdles that delay our projects.

2

The report suggests cutting down on carbon emissions by 20% by next year.

3

I've decided to cut down on social commitments to focus on my thesis.

4

The city is cutting down on traffic congestion by improving public transit.

1

The CEO's primary objective was to cut down on operational redundancies across all departments.

2

To mitigate the risk of burnout, she had to drastically cut down on her extracurricular obligations.

3

The treaty aims to cut down on the proliferation of short-lived climate pollutants.

4

He argued that cutting down on state intervention would stimulate market growth.

Easily Confused

Phrasal Verb: 'Cut down on' (Reduce Habits) vs Cut down vs. Cut down on

Learners use 'cut down on' for trees or 'cut down' for habits.

Phrasal Verb: 'Cut down on' (Reduce Habits) vs Cut back on vs. Cut down on

They are almost identical in meaning.

Phrasal Verb: 'Cut down on' (Reduce Habits) vs Cut out vs. Cut down on

Learners use 'cut down on' when they mean they stopped completely.

Common Mistakes

✗

I cut down sugar.

✓

I cut down on sugar.

You must include 'on' when talking about reducing a habit.
✗

He cutted down on salt.

✓

He cut down on salt.

'Cut' is irregular; the past tense is 'cut', not 'cutted'.
✗

I cut down on to eat cake.

✓

I cut down on eating cake.

After 'on', use a gerund (-ing), not an infinitive.
✗

She cuts on sugar.

✓

She cuts down on sugar.

You missed the particle 'down'.
✗

I'm cutting down on the smoke.

✓

I'm cutting down on smoking.

Use the gerund for the activity, not the noun for the physical substance in this context.
✗

They cut down on their spendings.

✓

They cut down on their spending.

'Spending' is usually uncountable in this context.
✗

Did you cutted down on coffee?

✓

Did you cut down on coffee?

After 'did', use the base form 'cut'.
✗

I cut sugar down on.

✓

I cut down on sugar.

This phrasal verb is inseparable.
✗

We need to cut down on the costs of living.

✓

We need to cut down on the cost of living.

The phrase is 'cost of living' (singular).
✗

I'm cutting down on to use my car.

✓

I'm cutting down on using my car.

Gerund required after 'on'.
✗

The company cut down on its personnel.

✓

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

'Cut down on' is rarely used for people; 'lay off' or 'reduce' is better.
✗

We must cut down on the tree.

✓

We must cut down the tree.

Adding 'on' changes the meaning from 'felling' to 'reducing a habit'.
✗

He is cutting down on his commitments' amount.

✓

He is cutting down on his commitments.

'Amount' is redundant here.
✗

The policy aims to cut down on the poverty.

✓

The policy aims to cut down on poverty.

No article 'the' is needed for abstract nouns like poverty.

Sentence Patterns

I'm trying to cut down on ___.

The best way to cut down on ___ is to ___.

Unless we cut down on ___, we will face ___.

It is imperative that the company cuts down on ___ to ensure ___.

Real World Usage

Doctor's Office very common

You really need to cut down on saturated fats.

Business Meeting common

We must cut down on operational waste to stay competitive.

Texting a Friend very common

I'm cutting down on coffee, so no Starbucks for me today!

Environmental Blog common

Cutting down on meat consumption is the best way to help the planet.

Job Interview occasional

In my last role, I cut down on processing time by 15%.

Social Media common

Day 5 of cutting down on screen time! Feeling great.

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💡

The 'On' Rule

If you have an object (like sugar or money), you MUST use 'on'. If you don't have an object, you can just say 'I need to cut down.'
⚠️

Don't Split!

Never put the object in the middle. It's not 'cut sugar down on', it's 'cut down on sugar'.
🎯

Gerund Power

If you want to use a verb after 'on', always add -ing. 'Cut down on buying' is correct; 'Cut down on buy' is not.
💬

Polite Refusals

Use 'I'm cutting down on...' as a polite way to say no to food or drinks at a party.

Smart Tips

Use 'cut down on' to explain your dietary choices to the waiter.

I don't want much butter. → I'm trying to cut down on butter, so could you put it on the side?

Use 'cut down on' to sound constructive rather than negative.

We must stop spending money on travel. → We need to cut down on travel expenses this quarter.

Remember that 'on' is a preposition, and prepositions love gerunds!

I cut down on drive. → I cut down on driving.

Ask yourself: 'Am I naming the thing I'm reducing?' If yes, use 'on'.

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

Pronunciation

/daʊnɒn/

Linking

The 'n' in 'down' often links to the 'o' in 'on'.

CUT DOWN on

Stress

The primary stress is usually on the verb 'cut', but 'down' also receives significant stress.

Falling intonation

I need to cut down on ↘ sugar.

A definitive statement about a habit.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Cut Down On' as 'Cutting the size Down of what's On your plate.'

Visual Association

Imagine a pair of scissors trimming the edges of a large habit (like a giant coffee cup) until it is a smaller, manageable size. You aren't throwing the cup away; you're just making it smaller.

Rhyme

To be healthy and stay strong, cut down on what is wrong.

Story

A man named Bill loved 10 donuts a day. His doctor said, 'Don't stop entirely, but cut down on them.' Now Bill eats 2 donuts and feels much better.

Word Web

ReduceMitigateDecreaseLessenTrimCurbModerate

Challenge

Write down three things you are currently trying to cut down on in your own life using the present continuous form.

Cultural Notes

Very common in the UK when discussing 'vices' like tea, biscuits, or alcohol.

Often used in the context of 'cutting down on gas' (petrol) or 'cutting down on calories'.

Used globally in business to sound less aggressive than 'slashing' or 'eliminating' costs.

The verb 'cut' comes from Middle English 'cutten'. The phrasal combination 'cut down' appeared in the 14th century meaning to fell trees. The addition of 'on' to mean reduction of consumption developed later, in the 19th century.

Conversation Starters

“

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

“

How can a large city cut down on its carbon footprint?

“

Do you think it's better to cut down on a bad habit or cut it out completely?

“

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

Journal Prompts

Write about a time you successfully cut down on a bad habit. What was the hardest part?
Discuss the environmental impact of cutting down on plastic waste in your local community.
Create a plan for a family to cut down on their household expenses over the next six months.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the missing preposition.

I'm trying to cut down ___ caffeine.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: on
The phrasal verb is 'cut down on'.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I cut down on sugar.
'Cut' is the past tense form, and 'on' is required.
Find the error in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

He is cutting down on to smoke.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: to smoke
It should be 'smoking' (gerund) after the preposition 'on'.
Rewrite the sentence using 'cut down on'. Sentence Transformation

I am eating less chocolate. (I am...)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I am cutting down on chocolate.
The present continuous form is 'am cutting down on'.
Is this rule true or false? True False Rule

You can separate 'cut' and 'down' with the object.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
'Cut down on' is an inseparable phrasal verb.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Would you like another beer? B: No thanks, I'm ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: cutting down
When there is no object mentioned at the end of the sentence, you can omit 'on'.
Which of these can you 'cut down on'? Grammar Sorting

Select the item that does NOT fit.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: A tree
You 'cut down' a tree (physical), but you 'cut down on' habits or amounts.
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-Stop completely, 2-Reduce
'Cut out' means 0%, 'cut down on' means a reduction.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the missing preposition.

I'm trying to cut down ___ caffeine.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: on
The phrasal verb is 'cut down on'.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I cut down on sugar.
'Cut' is the past tense form, and 'on' is required.
Find the error in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

He is cutting down on to smoke.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: to smoke
It should be 'smoking' (gerund) after the preposition 'on'.
Rewrite the sentence using 'cut down on'. Sentence Transformation

I am eating less chocolate. (I am...)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I am cutting down on chocolate.
The present continuous form is 'am cutting down on'.
Is this rule true or false? True False Rule

You can separate 'cut' and 'down' with the object.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
'Cut down on' is an inseparable phrasal verb.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Would you like another beer? B: No thanks, I'm ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: cutting down
When there is no object mentioned at the end of the sentence, you can omit 'on'.
Which of these can you 'cut down on'? Grammar Sorting

Select the item that does NOT fit.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: A tree
You 'cut down' a tree (physical), but you 'cut down on' habits or amounts.
Match the phrase with its meaning. Match Pairs

1. Cut out, 2. Cut down on

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-Stop completely, 2-Reduce
'Cut out' means 0%, 'cut down on' means a reduction.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

13 exercises
Choose the correct option to complete the sentence. Fill in the Blank

The company needs to ___ waste if it wants to be more sustainable.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: cut down on
Identify and correct the grammatical error. Error Correction

We should cut down our expenses.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: We should cut down on our expenses.
Select the sentence that uses 'cut down on' correctly. Multiple Choice

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: After lunch, I really need to cut down on those afternoon sweets.
Translate the phrase into English, using 'cut down on'. Translation

Translate into English: 'El gobierno está intentando reducir la burocracia.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["The government is trying to cut down on bureaucracy."]
Put the words in the correct order to form a meaningful sentence. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a coherent sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: You should try to cut down on spending.
Match the beginning of the sentence with the correct ending. Match Pairs

Match the sentence beginnings with their appropriate endings.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched
Choose the most appropriate phrasal verb. Fill in the Blank

If you want to be more productive, you really need to ___ distractions.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: cut down on
Correct the error in the sentence below. Error Correction

They were told to cut down their intake of fats.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: They were told to cut down on their intake of fats.
Select the grammatically correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Choose the sentence that is correctly phrased:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: She hopes to cut down on her reliance on public transport.
Translate the sentence into English, maintaining natural phrasing. Translation

Translate into English: 'Deberías intentar reducir tu tiempo frente a la pantalla por la noche.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["You should try to cut down on your screen time at night."]
Unscramble the words to form a correct sentence. Sentence Reorder

Rearrange these words to make a grammatically correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I've cut down on my coffee lately.
Connect the action with what someone might cut down on. Match Pairs

Match the person's goal with what they are cutting down on.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched
Complete the sentence with the best option. Fill in the Blank

Many professionals are trying to ___ their work-related stress.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: cut down on

Score: /13

FAQ (8)

Yes, if the context is clear. For example, if someone offers you a cigarette, you can say `I'm cutting down.` You only need `on` if you name the object.

Both are correct and almost identical. `Cut back on` is slightly more common for financial budgets, while `cut down on` is more common for personal habits like diet.

It is `cut down on`. The verb `cut` does not change in the past tense. Example: `Yesterday, I cut down on my sugar intake.`

No, it is generally used for substances, habits, or expenses. You wouldn't say `I'm cutting down on my friends.` You would use `seeing my friends less.`

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in business. However, in very formal academic writing, you might prefer `reduce` or `diminish`.

In English, when a one-syllable verb ends in consonant-vowel-consonant (c-u-t), we double the final consonant before adding `-ing`.

No. You must use the gerund: `cut down on drinking`. Prepositions like `on` are followed by nouns or gerunds, not infinitives.

`Cut down` is for physical objects (like trees). `Cut down on` is for abstract amounts or habits.

Scaffolded Practice

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Mastery Progress

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Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

reducir / bajar el consumo de

English requires two extra particles (down, on) whereas Spanish is a single verb.

French low

réduire / diminuer

French lacks the 'directional' particle (down).

German moderate

reduzieren / einschränken

German word order changes in subordinate clauses, unlike English phrasal verbs.

Japanese low

減らす (herasu)

Japanese uses particles like 'wo' for the object, but no equivalent to 'down on'.

Arabic moderate

يقلل من (yuqallil min)

Arabic does not have a 'down' equivalent in this phrase.

Chinese low

减少 (jiǎnshǎo)

Chinese has no prepositions that function like 'on' in this phrasal verb.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Phrasal Verb: 'Come across' (Find/Seem)
Next
Finally Finding Time (Get round to)

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