a great decline

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a great decline" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant decrease in quantity, quality, or value in various contexts, such as economics, health, or social issues. Example: "The region has experienced a great decline in its population over the last decade due to economic hardships."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The latter part of the 14th century saw a great decline in the religious life of the friars.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"In the last year, refinery runs have been very low and we saw a great decline in" inventories.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, the mixture of Fe2O3 and CeO2 caused a great decline in the total amounts of NO and CO emission (NO: 20.70%, CO: 16.33%).

Catalysis Today

Why do you think the profession of psychoanalysis needs corrective advice now? A. The profession is in a great decline, and I predict the decline will continue.

The New York Times - Health

She favors, as does the President, welfare reform, and she argues that society has extended too freely rights without responsibilities, which has led to a great decline in the standard of behavior.

The New York Times - Magazine

Inclusion of DNA in the vaccine significantly increased the longevity of systemic humoral immune responses, whereas protein immunization, either as the only vaccine component or as boost after DNA prime, was followed by a great decline of humoral immune responses overtime.

Duke University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"Without it, the market would have suffered even a greater decline".

The New York Times

For those who made less than £10,000 a year, the average was £180, which represented a greater decline in income.

The Guardian - Money

Female, younger and lower-income workers have seen a greater decline than those who are male, older and/or wealthier.

The Washington Post

But Dr. Gilbert's study, using a different analysis method, found that Avastin increased the burden of symptoms and led to a greater decline in cognition.

The New York Times

The recession caused a greater decline in gross domestic product in the United States than any American downturn since World War II.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a great decline", ensure the context clearly specifies what is declining. Provide specific details to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a great decline" as a vague generalization. Always pair it with specific details about what is declining, its previous state, and its current state to offer a clearer picture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great decline" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It describes a significant reduction or decrease, conveying the magnitude of the change. This aligns with Ludwig's AI response, which indicates its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

24%

News & Media

38%

Academia

24%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a great decline" is a noun phrase used to describe a significant reduction or decrease, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its grammatical function is primarily as a subject or object, and it serves to inform about substantial negative changes. The phrase maintains a neutral to formal register, appearing commonly in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While not extremely frequent, its usage is consistent across authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Washington Post. For clarity, it is best practice to always specify what is declining, and avoid overuse without specific details.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant decrease

Emphasizes the importance of the reduction.

a substantial drop

Highlights the suddenness and magnitude of the decline.

a considerable reduction

Indicates a noticeable and measurable lessening.

a marked downturn

Suggests a negative trend or shift.

a steep fall

Implies a rapid and dramatic decrease.

a sharp decline

Focuses on the abruptness of the reduction.

a noticeable drop-off

Highlights a decline after a period of stability.

a serious diminishment

Stresses the severity and consequence of the reduction.

a major setback

Refers to an event that delays progress or reverses gains.

a weakening trend

Describes a gradual loss of strength or momentum.

FAQs

How can I use "a great decline" in a sentence?

Use "a great decline" to describe a significant reduction or decrease in something. For example: "The company experienced a great decline in profits this quarter."

What are some alternatives to "a great decline"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant decrease", "a substantial drop", or "a considerable reduction" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "a great decline" or "a greater decline"?

"A great decline" refers to a significant reduction. "A greater decline" implies a comparison, indicating that the decline is larger than another decline.

What's the difference between "a great decline" and "a sharp decline"?

"A great decline" emphasizes the magnitude of the reduction, while "a sharp decline" emphasizes the suddenness and speed of the reduction. The choice depends on which aspect you want to highlight.