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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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a higher decline in

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a higher decline in" is not correct and can be considered redundant in written English.
The term "higher" implies an increase, while "decline" indicates a decrease, creating a contradiction. Example: "There was a higher decline in sales this quarter compared to last quarter."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

They expect that the slowdown will cause a higher decline in imports than the demand for U.S.-made goods, although both are expected to decline sharply.

News & Media

Forbes

When we classified PLWH according to the HA they received care, HA 5 was the only region that experienced the highest increase in mortality rate (62.99; 19 % increase) and a higher decline in life expectancy at age 20 years (17.35; 11 % decrease).

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Presence of ATA was associated with a higher decline rate in FVC in this time period (P = 0.022, RC = -2.49, CI = -4.62 to -0.36).

Only ATA, however, was associated with lower serial FVC levels as well as with a higher decline rate in FVC at 3-year follow-up.

This shows that as the children grew older, those who lived >5 km networked distance had a much higher decline in their survival probability when compared to those who lived <5 km away.

The results also show that exposing only the beams to fire results in a higher decline of the fire resistance, compared to exposing only the columns to fire.

The average of the entire European Union was characterised by a relatively high decline in the standardised mortality rate for cerebrovascular diseases, reaching 31.5%.

Anti-Scl-70 antibodies have also been found in correlation with RLD [ 63] and with a higher rate of decline in PFT [ 64], although this association is not universal [ 37, 46].

Both mean allele number and expected heterozygosity showed a non-linear pattern, with a higher rate of decline in genetic variability between generations 3 and 14.

We also found that persistent delirium during early hospitalisation was associated with a higher risk for decline in discharge status, even after adjusting for important covariates.

Science

BMJ Open

Similarly, our study did not indicate that low baseline PFT parameters predicted a higher rate of decline in FVC on subsequent visits.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "a higher decline in" as it combines contradictory terms. Instead, opt for phrases like "a greater decrease in" or "a larger drop in" to accurately convey a more significant reduction.

Common error

Be mindful of combining terms that create logical inconsistencies. Using "higher" with "decline" is contradictory. Ensure your phrasing accurately reflects the intended meaning of a more significant decrease.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a higher decline in" is intended to function as a descriptive modifier, indicating a more significant decrease. However, Ludwig AI flags it as incorrect because of the contradictory nature of "higher" and "decline".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a higher decline in" might seem intuitive, it's flagged by Ludwig AI as grammatically incorrect due to the contradictory nature of "higher" and "decline". The intended meaning is to express a more significant decrease, but it's best to use alternative phrases like "a greater decrease in" or "a larger drop in" to avoid confusion and maintain grammatical accuracy. Although examples exist across news and scientific domains, clarity and correctness should always be prioritized in writing.

FAQs

What is wrong with the phrase "a higher decline in"?

The phrase "a higher decline in" is considered grammatically incorrect because "higher" implies an increase, while "decline" indicates a decrease. The two words contradict each other.

What can I say instead of "a higher decline in"?

You can use alternatives like "a greater decrease in", "a larger drop in", or "a steeper reduction in" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "a higher decline in" or "a greater decline in"?

"A greater decline in" is the more appropriate phrase. Using "higher" to modify "decline" creates a contradiction, whereas "greater" accurately describes the magnitude of the decrease.

Is "a higher decline in" ever appropriate?

No, the phrase "a higher decline in" is generally considered incorrect due to the conflicting nature of the words "higher" and "decline". It is always better to use a different phrasing to express the intended meaning of a significant decrease.

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Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: