a declining number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a declining number of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where the quantity of something is decreasing over time. Example: "In recent years, there has been a declining number of participants in the annual marathon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Mr. Murphy, 48, is one of a declining number of actors whose name alone can get a movie made.

The New York Times

School district and city leaders say a declining number of families and children in the city will have repercussions beyond the schools.

The New York Times

"We are always in need of more skin," Ms. Gallo said, adding that the skin bank is now facing a declining number of donors.

The New York Times - Health

As schools fight over what, due to a demographic blip, is a declining number of students, the device you get has become a keen area of competition.

The Guardian

Multiple providers offer mobile phone services to a growing number of subscribers, while a declining number of households use landline telephones.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Like most, Sewanee has a declining number of students paying full tuition, and a rising number who pay a discounted rate.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Our guess is this: stretching a fixed (perhaps now declining) number of staff over more days will decrease average staffing levels over the week, so patients will suffer.

The Guardian - Opinion

The data displays a trend of gradually declining number of mental health clients per capita over the period of study.

American Journal of Community Psychology

In Europe DKT proved to be a successful strategy for compensating the declining number of cadaver donor kidney transplants.

BMC Nephrology

A 2014 report linked declining numbers of the big cat directly to the rising trade in luxury pets.

Huffington Post

And she has been forced to decline a number of speaking engagements.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a declining number of", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is declining and why it matters. Providing specific data or reasons for the decline enhances the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a declining number of" without providing context or explanation. Simply stating that something is declining without explaining the implications can leave the reader without a clear understanding of the issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a declining number of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that the quantity of that noun is decreasing. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

41%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a declining number of" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to indicate a decreasing quantity. Ludwig AI confirms this. It's versatile across various contexts, from news and media to scientific reports, maintaining a neutral tone. When employing this phrase, ensure you provide sufficient context to clarify what's declining and its significance. Alternatives like "a decrease in the number of" or "a reduction in the number of" offer similar meanings, allowing for nuanced expression. With a very common frequency, "a declining number of" is a reliable phrase in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a decrease in the number of

Replaces "declining" with the more direct term "decrease".

a reduction in the number of

Uses "reduction" to indicate a lessening quantity.

a diminishing number of

Employs "diminishing" to convey gradual decrease.

a dwindling number of

Substitutes "declining" with "dwindling", suggesting a gradual reduction to a small amount.

a falling number of

Replaces "declining" with the more active term "falling".

a drop in the number of

Uses "drop" to indicate a sudden or significant decrease.

a decreasing quantity of

Shifts focus to "quantity" rather than "number", useful for uncountable items.

a lower number of

Uses "lower" to simply indicate a smaller quantity.

a smaller number of

Expresses the same concept using the adjective "smaller".

a reduced number of

Uses the participle "reduced" as an adjective.

FAQs

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

You can use "a declining number of" to describe a situation where a quantity or amount is decreasing over time. For example, "There is "a declining number of" students enrolling in humanities courses."

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

Alternatives include "a decrease in the number of", "a reduction in the number of", or "a diminishing number of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "decreasing" or "declining" number?

Both "decreasing" and "declining" are suitable, but "declining" often implies a more gradual or continuous reduction. "Decreasing" might suggest a more sudden or immediate drop. Choose the word that best fits the specific context.

What's the difference between "a declining number of" and "a dwindling number of"?

"A declining number of" simply means that the quantity is decreasing. "A dwindling number of" suggests that the quantity is decreasing to a very small amount, nearing its end.