a drop in population

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a drop in population" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing changes in the number of people living in a specific area or region. Example: "The recent economic downturn has led to a significant drop in population in the once-thriving city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The Dayton City Commission voted to make the city "immigrant friendly," with programs to attract newcomers and encourage those already here, as a way to help stem job losses and a drop in population.

The New York Times

Although the bird once thrived in the islands of the Pacific Ocean, the appeal of its feathers for hats and other decorative purposes led to a drop in population in the late 19th century.

The New York Times

Yadavendra V. Jhala, a wildlife biologist at the Wildlife Institute of India in Dehradun, who spearheaded the exercise, says he was expecting a drop in population and was pleasantly surprised by the higher tally.

Science Magazine

He observes that modernization, which is really westernization, is usually followed by a drop in population size, but there is no reason to suppose that the process will work the other way around.

Forbes

The analysis uncovered major changes in population growth; with the exception of wolves, all species experienced a drop in population growth rates immediately following the collapse, and three species wild boar, moose, and brown bears exhibited significant reductions in population growth throughout the decade following the collapse, with declines evident in 85% or more of the study regions.

Science Magazine

Some of the blight can be attributed to a drop in population.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The rise has not been consistent across the Western Isles with places such as Arran, Bute and Islay experiencing a drop in their population.

Independent

Of those 13 largest cities, San Francisco was one of only two that showed a drop in black population between the 1970 and 1980 censuses.

Los Angeles Times

During an early phase (until 2 dpi) the bos1 mutant appeared significantly more susceptible compared to the wild type whereas, after 2 dpi, massive necrosis development in the bos1 mutant around infected macerated sites was accompanied by a drop in bacterial population.

Plosone

It's even been blamed for a drop in honeybee populations.

Huffington Post

After the English Civil War saw a drop in deer populations, fox hunting grew in popularity.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a drop in population", specify the geographical area or group affected for clarity. For instance, "a drop in population in rural areas" provides more context than simply "a drop in population".

Common error

Avoid using "a drop in population" without specifying the timeframe or affected group, as this can lead to ambiguity. Provide relevant details to ensure your statement is informative and accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a drop in population" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, showing it describes a decrease or reduction in the number of people residing in a particular area.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a drop in population" is a grammatically sound and generally accepted way to describe a decrease in the number of people living in a specific area or belonging to a particular group. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is readily usable and understandable. While not exceedingly common, its usage spans diverse contexts, including news reports, scientific analyses, and general discussions. It's important to ensure clarity by specifying the timeframe, affected region, and any contributing factors when employing the phrase. Alternatives such as "population decline" or "decrease in population size" offer similar meanings, but "a drop in population" provides a straightforward and easily grasped expression for this phenomenon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Population decline

Emphasizes the overall decrease in the number of individuals.

Decrease in population size

Specifies that the reduction is in the total count of individuals.

Population reduction

Highlights the act of diminishing the population.

Fall in population numbers

Focuses on the numerical aspect of the population decrease.

Shrinking population

Suggests a gradual and continuous decrease in population.

Decline in inhabitants

Uses "inhabitants" as an alternative term for population, indicating a decrease in residents.

Reduction in the number of people

Explicitly states the decrease in the count of individuals.

Population loss

Emphasizes the concept of losing members of the population.

Demographic decrease

Refers to a decrease in the statistical characteristics of a population.

Depopulation

Indicates a significant reduction in the number of inhabitants.

FAQs

What causes "a drop in population"?

A "drop in population" can be caused by various factors, including economic downturns, natural disasters, emigration, and declining birth rates. Each cause can have different implications for the affected region.

What are some alternatives to saying "a drop in population"?

You can use alternatives such as "population decline", "decrease in population size", or "population reduction" depending on the context.

Is "a drop in population" a formal or informal phrase?

"A drop in population" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

How does "a drop in population" affect a region?

A "drop in population" can lead to various consequences, such as a decrease in economic activity, strain on public services, and changes in social dynamics. The severity of the impact depends on the magnitude and causes of the population decrease.