a declining amount of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a declining amount of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a reduction in quantity or volume of something over time. Example: "The study revealed a declining amount of resources available for conservation efforts."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Rising standards of living and development in China, one of the world's largest consumers of fertilizer, and India are putting increasing pressure on farmers to produce more crops from a declining amount of agricultural land.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Although the number of grana did not seem reduced in most chloroplasts, the thylakoid membranes began to dilate slightly; this process was accompanied by an irregular arrangement of the thylakoid stacks, an apparently declining amount of starch, and a marked increase in the number of plastoglobuli (Table 1).

BMC Plant Biology

If the optimism around the sale was to show anything, it showed a very-quickly declining amount of confidence in the direction of the company.

TechCrunch

Along with the declining amount of floating ice, she adds, rain on snow is a reason the animals have been listed as threatened.

Science Magazine

I was struck by a fascinating web post this week reporting that, as a country, we're consuming sharply declining amounts of wheat products: less bread and rolls, less wheat-based breakfast cereals, fewer English muffins and even fewer wheat tortillas.

Huffington Post

Correction ReprintsYet declining amounts of hedging may not be enough to keep the gold price up.

The Economist

That also means that firms investing in new wells are extracting declining amounts of gas.Meanwhile, demand is soaring.

The Economist

Declining amounts of coal were mined near Coalville, Ibstock, and Moira until the 1980s, when mining operations ceased.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the long run, scientists say the region could suffer from declining amounts of meltwater from glaciers feeding the Indus River, which is the nation's life-blood.

Huffington Post

Declining amounts of C. botulinum were excreted in slug feces up to day four after the inoculated feed was given.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

Overall, 95% of the respondents perceived that rainfall was greatly reduced during the Gada period of Guyo Goba, while 92.3% reported a declining trend in the amount of rainfall at the time of Liban Jaldesa (Table 1).

Ecological Processes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing abstract concepts like confidence or support, use "a declining amount of" to effectively convey a decrease in intensity or prevalence over time.

Common error

Avoid using "a declining amount of" with countable nouns; instead, opt for "a declining number of" to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a declining amount of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically modifying a non-countable noun to indicate a reduction in quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, supported by examples showcasing its use across diverse domains.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

59%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a declining amount of" is a grammatically correct and relatively common way to describe a reduction in the quantity or intensity of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile and appears across different contexts, including news, science, and general discussions. It is important to use it with non-countable nouns and to consider alternatives like "decreasing quantity" or "diminishing supply" for more precise or nuanced communication. The phrase's frequency is labeled as 'Uncommon', suggesting it's neither rare nor ubiquitous, but a well-established part of the English lexicon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a decreasing quantity of

Replaces "amount" with "quantity", emphasizing a numerical reduction.

a diminishing supply of

Substitutes "declining" with "diminishing" and "amount" with "supply", highlighting a reduction in availability.

a dwindling reserve of

Emphasizes the gradual depletion of a resource using "dwindling" and "reserve".

a shrinking volume of

Focuses on the reduction in size or capacity, using "volume" instead of "amount".

a lessening degree of

Replaces "amount" with "degree", indicating a reduction in intensity or extent.

a reduced portion of

Highlights a smaller share or part, using "portion" instead of "amount".

a contracted measure of

Uses "contracted" to suggest a reduction in size or scope, with "measure" replacing "amount".

a abated level of

Uses "abated" suggesting something that was once strong or intense is weakening, decreasing.

a depleted stock of

Focuses on the exhaustion of a resource, using "depleted" and "stock".

a subsided sum of

Indicates a decrease in the total or aggregate using "subsided" and "sum".

FAQs

How can I use "a declining amount of" in a sentence?

Use "a declining amount of" to describe a decrease in the quantity or intensity of something over time. For example, "There's "a declining amount of confidence" in the company's leadership."

What are some alternatives to "a declining amount of"?

Alternatives include "a decreasing quantity of", "a diminishing supply of", or "a dwindling reserve of" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a declining amount of"?

Yes, it's generally correct when referring to something that is decreasing in quantity or intensity. It's important to ensure the noun it modifies is non-countable; otherwise, "number" should be used.

When should I use "a declining number of" instead of "a declining amount of"?

Use "a declining number of" when referring to countable nouns. For example, "a declining number of students" is correct, while "a declining amount of students" is not.