diviser la facture énergétique par 4

English translation: reduce the energy bill by three-quarters

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
French term or phrase:diviser la facture énergétique par 4
English translation:reduce the energy bill by three-quarters
Entered by: katiej

12:00 Nov 5, 2014
French to English translations [Non-PRO]
Science - Energy / Power Generation / Energy
French term or phrase: diviser la facture énergétique par 4
Hello,

I'm translating a text about a green IT solution for an energy company:

... elle permet de diviser la facture énergétique par 4 et le bilan carbone par 2.

So as far as I can see in the UK we express the reduction of energy costs and carbon footprint as a percentage - apologies if the question seems obvious, but I'm not sure the best way to express the reduction.

Many thanks.
katiej
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:14
reduce the energy bill by three-quarters
Explanation:
The writer chose to avoid percentage, no good reason not to follow that lead.

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Note added at 4 hrs (2014-11-05 16:02:48 GMT)
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Even in the UK, it seems simple fractions (half, third, quarter, fifth etc) trump percentages. Compare:

https://www.gov.uk/.../reducing-demand-for-energy-fro...
Our Carbon Plan states that if the UK is to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by ... that energy use per capita is between a fifth and a half lower than it is today.

Meat-free diet can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by half
www.futureoffood.ox.ac.uk/.../meat-free-diet-can-r...
University of Oxford
Jun 26, 2014 - Meat-free diet can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by half ... Going vegetarian can cut your diet's carbon footprint in half ...
Selected response from:

rkillings
United States
Local time: 22:14
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +4reduce by 75% / reduce to 25%
Ana Vozone
4reduce the energy bill by three-quarters
rkillings


Discussion entries: 6





  

Answers


5 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +4
reduce by 75% / reduce to 25%


Explanation:
Bilan carbone: reduce 50% / to half

Suggestion

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Note added at 12 mins (2014-11-05 12:12:38 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

This means paying only a fourth of the usual amount.

Ana Vozone
Local time: 05:14
Native speaker of: Native in PortuguesePortuguese
Notes to answerer
Asker: Got it, many thanks.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  philgoddard: This is more of an arithmetic question than a language one!
8 mins
  -> Thank you, Phil!

agree  Mark Bossanyi
19 mins
  -> Thak you, Mark!

agree  Chakib Roula: Ohh yes.
25 mins
  -> Thank you, Roula!

agree  Jean-Claude Gouin
1 hr
  -> Thank you, 1045!

neutral  chris collister: Never been happy using percentages this way!
3 hrs
  -> Thank you, Chris.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
reduce the energy bill by three-quarters


Explanation:
The writer chose to avoid percentage, no good reason not to follow that lead.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 hrs (2014-11-05 16:02:48 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Even in the UK, it seems simple fractions (half, third, quarter, fifth etc) trump percentages. Compare:

https://www.gov.uk/.../reducing-demand-for-energy-fro...
Our Carbon Plan states that if the UK is to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by ... that energy use per capita is between a fifth and a half lower than it is today.

Meat-free diet can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by half
www.futureoffood.ox.ac.uk/.../meat-free-diet-can-r...
University of Oxford
Jun 26, 2014 - Meat-free diet can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by half ... Going vegetarian can cut your diet's carbon footprint in half ...

rkillings
United States
Local time: 22:14
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 26
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



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