a declining rate of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a declining rate of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a decrease in frequency, occurrence, or intensity of a particular phenomenon over time. Example: "The study revealed a declining rate of participation in community events over the past decade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

And that drop was largely driven by a declining rate of diagnosis of ear infections.

The New York Times

The Commerce Department's measure of G.D.P. has been expanding since last fall, albeit at a declining rate of late.

The New Yorker

That year, he held hearings during which he defended auto insurers from criticism that they had not reduced rates in New York City in response to a declining rate of car thefts.

The New York Times

Progress on those fronts, the fund said, will help overcome the economy's main structural problems, which it defined as "a declining rate of productivity growth, low profit margins and a deteriorating export performance".

The New York Times

The rapid structural regeneration of S. orbiculatus within the burn-year growing season is similar to other species that display rapid regrowth the first year with a declining rate of growth in the next three to four years (Gratani and Amadori [1991]).

Botanical Studies

But a declining rate of a thing is not an argument against policies that may result in further declines and better outcomes.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Beginning in 1979 the rate of exchange depreciation was pre-fixed with a tablita, an active crawling peg based on a timetable which announced ahead of time a gradually declining rate of depreciation.

Wikipedia

The value of k also increased linearly with soil temperature in the PE and SS soils, reflecting a faster declining rate of R h under warmer temperatures for these two soils.

Ecological Processes

Such an implied constancy of the growth restriction rate across gestation is at odds with an exponentially declining rate of gestational age-specific perinatal mortality.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

False science can be dangerous; studies published by the American Medical Association last year identified a relationship between declining rates of vaccinations among children with an uptick in measles and whooping cough cases in the United States.

Vice

-- There is actually a downside to declining rates of smoking in California -- less money for early education programs.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a declining rate of", ensure that the context clearly specifies what is declining and over what period. Providing specific data or comparisons can add precision and impact.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a "declining rate of" something automatically means the absolute quantity is decreasing. A declining rate could still indicate growth, but at a slower pace than before.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a declining rate of" functions as a descriptive element within a sentence, typically modifying a noun. It indicates the characteristic of something diminishing, decreasing, or reducing over a period of time or in relation to something else. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a declining rate of" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to describe a situation where something is decreasing, or reducing. It's most frequently observed in News & Media and Science contexts, used to describe trends and tendencies. Ludwig has confirmed the phrase is correct and has provided examples, that shows the expression in contexts providing analysis of trends, offering insight into economic, social, or scientific changes. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the context clearly identifies what is declining and over what time frame.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a decreasing rate of

Replaces "declining" with its direct synonym "decreasing", maintaining identical meaning.

a diminishing rate of

Substitutes "declining" with "diminishing", suggesting a gradual reduction.

a falling rate of

Replaces "declining" with "falling", indicating a downward trend.

a reduced rate of

Focuses on the result of the decline, emphasizing the lower rate.

a slowing rate of

Highlights the deceleration in the rate, rather than the decline itself.

a downward trend in the rate of

Rephrases the concept as a "downward trend", adding emphasis on its evolution over time.

a negative growth rate of

Uses economic terminology to define decline as negative growth.

a lessening rate of

Replaces "declining" with "lessening", suggesting a reduction in magnitude.

a receding rate of

Indicates a retreat or withdrawal, implying a decline in something's presence.

a waning rate of

Implies a gradual decrease in power, intensity, or extent.

FAQs

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

Use "a declining rate of" to describe situations where the speed at which something is decreasing is itself slowing down. For example: "The country experienced "a declining rate of" unemployment as the economy recovered".

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

Alternatives include "a decreasing rate of", "a diminishing rate of", or "a falling rate of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more accurate to say "declining rate" or "decreasing rate"?

"Declining" and "decreasing" are largely interchangeable in this context. Both "a declining rate of" and "a decreasing rate of" are correct and commonly used.

What does a "declining rate of increase" mean?

A "declining rate of increase" indicates that something is still increasing, but at a progressively slower pace. For example, if sales are growing, but the growth is less each month, there's "a declining rate of" increase.