a few declines

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few declines" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of decreases or refusals in various contexts, such as business, sales, or personal situations. Example: "Despite the overall growth in sales, we did experience a few declines in certain product categories."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In overall strong earnings, it however had a few declines: in the U.S., its single biggest market, sales were actually down quarter-on-quarter.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Even rapidly urbanising countries like China and India have a few declining cities.

The Economist

Senate committee members are prepared to see a few decline the invitation.

The New York Times

While few of Tarantino's actors have publicly defended his recent actions (a few declined to comment for this article), Jamie Foxx, star of Django Unchained, offered his support.

The Guardian - Film

A few declined, although Martin didn't name names.

Los Angeles Times

Some adults show modest improvement in communication skills, but a few decline; no study has focused on autism after midlife.

Wikipedia

In Whatever's other social experiment, there were a couple maybes, a few declining because they have a boyfriend, and one woman responded, "We are Christians, we believe in Jesus".

Huffington Post

Hard consonants may not be followed by i or í in writing, or soft ones by y or ý (except in loanwords such as kilogram and a few declined nouns: tác takes the plural tácy).

Wikipedia

Only a few declined to participate twice.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

A well-diversified mutual fund will include a broad bundle of stocks or other products to diminish the risk that a few declining stocks would hurt you significantly.

WikiHow

As long as the majority are vaccinated, then, a few can decline without courting harm, but when vaccination rates fall below a certain level this protection quickly begins to vanish.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few declines", ensure the context clearly indicates what is declining. Providing specific details will enhance clarity and prevent ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a few declines" when the reductions are substantial or widespread. This can misrepresent the true extent of the negative trend and mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few declines" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It is used to denote the existence of a small number of downward trends or instances of reduction. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a few declines" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a small number of reductions or downward trends. As stated by Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English. It's applicable across various contexts, including news, science, and general discussions, as seen in the examples. While the phrase is generally neutral, it's essential to ensure the context accurately reflects the scope of the declines to avoid misrepresentation. For more formal contexts, consider using more precise terms like "slight decrease". Alternatives such as "several decreases" or "a handful of drops" can be used depending on the specific nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several decreases

Emphasizes a number greater than just a few, but still relatively small.

a small downturn

Suggests a temporary and minor decrease in a specific area.

a handful of drops

Highlights the limited quantity of the decreases.

isolated reductions

Focuses on the separation and limited scope of the decreases.

some setbacks

Emphasizes the negative impact of the declines as obstacles.

minor falls

Stresses the small magnitude of the decreases.

a couple of losses

Highlights the presence of negative results or failures.

limited regression

Indicates a partial return to a previous, less developed state.

slight diminishment

Underscores the minimal degree of reduction or lessening.

scattered diminutions

Conveys a sense of irregularity and infrequency in the decreases.

FAQs

How can I use "a few declines" in a sentence?

You can use "a few declines" to describe minor reductions in various contexts, such as "Despite the overall growth, we observed "a few declines" in specific product categories" or "The project experienced "a few declines" in user engagement during the summer months".

What are some alternatives to "a few declines"?

Alternatives include "several decreases", "a small downturn", or "a handful of drops" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a few declines" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "a few declines" is suitable for formal writing, especially when you need to acknowledge minor negative trends without exaggerating them. However, consider using more precise terms like "slight decrease" or "limited reduction" for increased formality.

What's the difference between "a few declines" and "significant decreases"?

"A few declines" indicates a small number of minor reductions, while "significant decreases" implies substantial and potentially impactful reductions. The choice depends on the magnitude and effect of the decreases you are describing.