a downturn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a downturn" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a decline or decrease in economic activity, performance, or other measurable factors. Example: "The company experienced a downturn in sales during the last quarter, prompting management to reevaluate their marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A downturn will come.

The Economist

Subscription revenues are resilient in a downturn.

The Economist

Yet business surveys are signalling a downturn.

The Economist

Now it is a "downturn" or "slowdown".

The Economist

It makes perfect sense that a downturn anywhere would become a downturn everywhere.And indeed it has.

The Economist

Since then, there's clearly been a downturn.

The Guardian - Film

Nobody has ever experienced a downturn before.

The Guardian - Business

"A downturn really heightens that discipline".

The New York Times - Tech

"It's more than just a downturn.

The New York Times

People become irrationally pessimistic during a downturn.

The New York Times

Everyone needs to manage through a downturn.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic matters, use "a downturn" to clearly indicate a decline in economic activity or performance. Be specific about the area experiencing the downturn, such as "a downturn in the housing market".

Common error

Don't use "a downturn" without providing context. Instead of saying "the downturn affected the company", specify which area of the company was affected (e.g., "the downturn in sales affected the company's profits").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a downturn" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject or object in a sentence, denoting a period or instance of economic or performance decline. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a downturn" is a grammatically correct and very common noun phrase used to describe a decline in economic activity or performance. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, backed by numerous examples from reputable sources. It is most frequently used in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, indicating a neutral register suitable for both professional and general audiences. When using this phrase, be sure to provide specific context to avoid vagueness. Consider related phrases like "an economic slump" or "a period of recession" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

An economic slump

Replaces "downturn" with "slump", indicating a period of economic decline.

A period of recession

Substitutes "downturn" with "recession", specifying an economic contraction.

A business decline

Replaces "downturn" with "decline", focusing on business performance.

An economic slowdown

Uses "slowdown" instead of "downturn", suggesting a deceleration of economic activity.

A market correction

Replaces "downturn" with "correction", implying a return to a more sustainable level.

A period of economic contraction

Replaces "downturn" with "contraction", describing a shrinking economy.

A dip in performance

Substitutes "downturn" with "dip", indicating a temporary decrease.

A downward trend

Uses "downward trend" to convey a continuous decline.

A drop in sales

Specifies "downturn" as a decrease in sales figures.

A fall in profits

Substitutes "downturn" with a decrease in profits.

FAQs

How can I use "a downturn" in a sentence?

You can use "a downturn" to describe a decline in economic activity, business performance, or other measurable factors. For example: "The company experienced "a downturn" in sales during the last quarter."

What are some alternatives to "a downturn"?

Alternatives include "an economic slump", "a period of recession", or "an economic slowdown" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the downturn" instead of "a downturn"?

Both "the downturn" and "a downturn" are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "A downturn" refers to a general instance of economic decline, while "the downturn" usually refers to a specific, previously mentioned or well-known period of decline.

What's the difference between "a downturn" and "a recession"?

While both terms describe economic decline, ""a downturn"" is a more general term and can refer to any decline in economic activity. "a recession", on the other hand, is a specific term referring to a significant and prolonged decline in economic activity, typically lasting several months or more.