a dwindling population

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a dwindling population" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where the number of people in a specific area or group is decreasing over time. Example: "The town is facing significant challenges due to a dwindling population, which has led to the closure of several local businesses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Instead, central Brisbane almost closed down as a dwindling population moved to the suburbs.

The New York Times - Travel

Until recently, North Dakota had a dwindling population and trouble balancing a very small state budget.

The New York Times

Despite its size, the Khutzeymateen is only thought to protect a dwindling population of about 50 animals.

The Guardian - Travel

Economic stagnation, chronic unemployment, and a dwindling population have turned many of the eastern neighborhoods into ghost towns.

The New York Times

He refers to "a dwindling population of older Catholic conservatives who say, in effect, the pope's the man, love it or leave it".

The New York Times

Weak domestic demand and a dwindling population mean that recovery remains at the mercy of its struggling exporters, concentrated in autos and electronics.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

His species has long-since given up their emotions resulting in a loss of their sexual urges and thus a continuously dwindling population.

Wikipedia

Twenty years later, the community was being described as destitute, and in 1927 an authoritative Shetland columnist observed that the island ran the risk of evacuation - a fate that famously befell St Kilda a few years later - in the face of "a rapidly dwindling population decimated by influenza and smallpox" whose "young men and women are all emigrating".

The Guardian - Travel

In a speech announcing the agreement yesterday morning, Ms. Harrison spoke of the history of the Confederated Tribes, describing a forced relocation to government reservations that led to shrinking lands and a scattered, dwindling population.

The New York Times

Very well aware of such a rapidly dwindling population, Honor Flight Austin has been flying Texas World War II veterans by the hundreds to our nation's capital.

Huffington Post

Paleontologist Daniel Fisher of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, is skeptical, however, noting that the study included only a small number of mammoths and that inbreeding could be purely a result of dwindling population rather than a cause.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a dwindling population", ensure that you provide context about the location, group, or species to which it refers. For example, "The island is facing economic hardship due to a dwindling population of working-age adults."

Common error

Avoid using "a dwindling population" without specifying which population you're discussing. Saying "The dwindling population is a concern" lacks clarity. Instead, specify "The dwindling population of honeybees is a major ecological concern."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a dwindling population" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a group of individuals whose numbers are decreasing, as Ludwig AI confirms with examples in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

15%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a dwindling population" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase that describes a group of individuals experiencing a decrease in numbers. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase appears frequently in news, scientific, and general contexts. When using this phrase, it's essential to provide specific details about the population to ensure clarity. While alternatives like "a declining population" or "a shrinking population" exist, "a dwindling population" effectively conveys a sense of gradual reduction and concern. Understanding these nuances can enhance the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a declining population

Replaces "dwindling" with "declining", emphasizing a gradual decrease.

a shrinking population

Uses "shrinking" to highlight the reduction in size or number.

a decreasing population

Employs "decreasing" to indicate a reduction in quantity.

a diminishing population

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

a vanishing population

Uses "vanishing" to convey a sense of disappearance or near-extinction.

a falling population

Replaces "dwindling" with "falling", indicating a downward trend in numbers.

a plummeting population

Uses "plummeting" to emphasize a rapid and drastic decrease.

a reduced population

Replaces "dwindling" with "reduced", focusing on the outcome of the decrease.

an aging and declining population

Adds the aspect of aging to emphasize the overall decline of the population.

a population in decline

Changes the structure to emphasize the state of decline.

FAQs

What does "a dwindling population" mean?

The phrase "a dwindling population" refers to a situation where the number of individuals within a specific group, area, or species is decreasing over time.

What are some synonyms for "a dwindling population"?

You can use alternatives such as "a declining population", "a shrinking population", or "a decreasing population depending on the context.

How can I use "a dwindling population" in a sentence?

You might say, "The conservation efforts are focused on protecting "a vanishing population" of snow leopards in the Himalayas" or "The rural communities are struggling with the challenges posed by "a shrinking economy" and a corresponding "declining population"".

Which is more appropriate: "a dwindling population" or "a declining population"?

Both "a dwindling population" and "a declining population" are correct and largely interchangeable. "Dwindling" may suggest a more gradual or persistent decline, while "declining" is a more general term for decreasing.