a falling number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a falling number of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a decreasing quantity or amount of something over time. Example: "There has been a falling number of participants in the annual marathon over the last few years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Saunders predicted a lot more gaps as the high street struggles with a falling number of visitors with a decreasing amount of money in their pockets.

The Guardian - Business

Holiday firms have been hit by fears of terrorist attacks, and concerns about a falling number of UK tourists, thanks to the weakness of the pound following the Brexit vote.

The Guardian - Business

There are recurrent themes causing the crisis: more people are coming to A&E; a falling number of doctors want to work there because of the pressures involved and the poor work/life balance; and hospitals are increasingly full – resulting in bottlenecks that back up into the emergency department.

The Guardian

Confidence has slipped in Scotland's small businesses, with evidence that a falling number of companies are planning to invest.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It was lowest (Fig. 6) in variant 3 on the background of a general reduction of chlorophyll content mainly due to the falling number of chlorophyll a.

Nanoscale Research Letters

The results will be welcomed by the Games organisers who adopted "Inspire a generation" as their motto, against a background of falling numbers of women taking up sport.

Independent

The CEM warned the government three years ago that there was a problem with falling numbers of staff, but no concrete solutions emerged.

The Guardian

The low prevalence of SSI-related MRSA is against a background of falling numbers of SSIs caused by this organism, possibly related to national policies directed at reducing the MRSA.

Bone and Joint Research

The current spike in totoaba fishing was apparently triggered by falling numbers of a similar fish caught in Chinese waters.

The Guardian

The research, published in the journal Scientific Reports, shows a link between PCB levels and falling numbers of killer whales and dolphins, but not a direct connection.

The Guardian

But that's a fundamentally different question from whether falling numbers of public stock offerings threaten to end ownership of capital by the masses.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using specific data or statistics to quantify the decrease when possible. For instance, instead of just saying "a falling number of students", specify "a 15% decrease in student enrollment".

Common error

Avoid attributing the falling number to correlation without causation. For example, a falling number of ice cream sales might not be directly caused by a specific event, but correlated with colder weather.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a falling number of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a decreasing quantity. It quantifies the noun it precedes, specifying that the number or amount is in decline. As Ludwig AI explains, is usable in written English and it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a falling number of" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote a decreasing quantity or amount. According to Ludwig AI, it is usable in written English. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and business contexts, it maintains a neutral register, making it versatile for various communication needs. When using the phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines what is decreasing and consider quantifying the reduction with specific data. Alternatives include "a declining number of" and "a decreasing number of" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a declining quantity of

Replaces "number" with "quantity", emphasizing the amount decreasing.

a reduced amount of

Substitutes "falling number" with "reduced amount", focusing on the diminished quantity.

a diminishing count of

Uses "diminishing count" instead of "falling number", highlighting the decreasing enumeration.

a decreasing sum of

Replaces "number" with "sum", changing the nuance slightly towards the total.

a lessening quantity of

Uses "lessening quantity" to convey a similar meaning of reduction.

a dwindling supply of

Changes the focus to "supply", implying a reduction in available resources.

a shrinking pool of

Uses "shrinking pool" to suggest a reduction in the available collection.

a contracting volume of

Replaces "number" with "volume", shifting the emphasis to the amount or space occupied.

a receding wave of

Employs "receding wave" to create a metaphorical sense of decrease.

a waning tide of

Uses "waning tide" as a metaphorical representation of decreasing numbers.

FAQs

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

You can use "a falling number of" to describe a decreasing trend in quantity. For example, "There's "a falling number of" students applying to humanities programs".

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

Alternatives include "a declining number of", "a decreasing number of", or "a reduced amount of depending on the context".

Is it more appropriate to say "a falling number" or "a declining number"?

Both "a falling number" and "a declining number" are correct and often interchangeable. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "a falling number of" and "a decrease in the number of"?

"A falling number of" is more concise, while "a decrease in the number of" is slightly more formal. They both convey the same meaning of reduction.