decrease in value

Meaning

This phrase describes the process of something becoming less valuable, expensive, or desirable over time. It is commonly used when talking about assets like cars, technology, real estate, or investments. It is a neutral expression suitable for both everyday financial conversations and formal contexts.

Examples

• Brand new cars tend to decrease in value the moment you drive them off the lot.

  Brand new cars tend to decrease in value the moment you drive them off the lot.

• Due to inflation, the cash sitting in your bank account will slowly decrease in value.

  Due to inflation, the cash sitting in your bank account will slowly decrease in value.

• If you don't maintain the property, it will eventually decrease in value.

  If you don't maintain the property, it will eventually decrease in value.

• Smartphones decrease in value rapidly as newer models are released every year.

  Smartphones decrease in value rapidly as newer models are released every year.

• The stock market crash caused many of his investments to decrease in value.

  The stock market crash caused many of his investments to decrease in value.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The house decreased its value.

  ✓ The house decreased in value.

  'Decrease' is used intransitively with the preposition 'in' to show the specific aspect that is reducing.

• ✗ My car made a decrease in value.

  ✓ My car decreased in value.

  Avoid using 'make a decrease'. It is much more natural to use 'decrease' directly as a verb.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Most electronics ___ as soon as a newer version hits the market.

  💡 Become worth less money.

  Show answer

  decrease in value

• He was worried his collectibles would ___ if they got damaged.

  💡 Lose their monetary worth.

  Show answer

  decrease in value