a marked decline

USAGE SUMMARY

"a marked decline" is a correct and common phrase that can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a significant or noticeable decrease in something. Example: There has been a marked decline in honeybee populations over the past decade, leading to concerns about the future of agriculture.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then came a marked decline.

The New York Times - Science

In recent months, there has been a marked decline in anti-Christian violence.

The New York Times

A primary reason for the slowdown was a marked decline in growth in Malaysia's mining sector.

The New York Times

— "private sector bankruptcies have led to a marked decline in external debt".

The New York Times

Arizona, hit hard by the crisis, saw a marked decline in fertility.

The Economist

Dr Fantin and Dr Leder also observed a marked decline in tumour growth rates.

The Economist

But their parameters too, show a marked decline in the number of African conflicts.

The Economist

Eastern bloc countries saw a marked decline in their food supply after the Berlin Wall fell.

The Economist

Gill Moore, a former school sports coordinator in Kent, has noticed a marked decline in participation in county sports tournaments.

The Guardian

"There is insufficient evidence that the species has undergone a marked decline in population size in the wild large enough".

The Guardian

Rhine was forced to conclude that the student's "extra-sensory perception ability has gone through a marked decline".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a marked decline", ensure the context clearly indicates what is declining. Providing specific data or examples strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a marked decline" vaguely. Always specify the subject and, if possible, quantify the decline with numbers or percentages to provide a clearer picture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a marked decline" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence or clause. It describes a noticeable or significant decrease in something. Ludwig's examples show it used in various contexts, highlighting its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a marked decline" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a significant decrease. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across diverse fields like news, science, and business. To use the phrase effectively, specify the subject of the decline and, if possible, quantify the reduction. Alternatives include "a significant decrease" or "a noticeable reduction", offering similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. By following these guidelines, you can confidently incorporate "a marked decline" into your writing to convey clear and impactful information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant decrease

Replaces "marked" with "significant", emphasizing the importance of the decline.

a noticeable reduction

Substitutes "decline" with "reduction" and "marked" with "noticeable", highlighting the visibility of the decrease.

a considerable drop

Uses "drop" instead of "decline" and "considerable" instead of "marked", suggesting a substantial fall.

a sharp decrease

Emphasizes the suddenness and steepness of the decline.

a substantial downturn

Replaces "decline" with "downturn", often used in economic contexts, while "substantial" indicates a large degree.

a steep fall

Highlights the rapid and significant nature of the decrease.

a serious reduction

Replaces "marked" with "serious", underscoring the severity of the decline.

a visible decrease

Focuses on the clear and apparent nature of the decline.

a clear downturn

Similar to "a substantial downturn", but emphasizing clarity and certainty.

a distinct decline

Uses "distinct" to emphasize the clear and easily recognizable nature of the decline.

FAQs

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

Use "a marked decline" to describe a significant decrease in something. For instance, "There has been "a marked decline" in student enrollment this year."

What can I say instead of "a marked decline"?

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

Which is correct, "a marked decline" or "a sudden decline"?

Both phrases are correct, but they convey different meanings. "A marked decline" indicates a noticeable decrease, while "a sudden decline" suggests an abrupt decrease.

What's the difference between "a marked decline" and "a notable decline"?

"A marked decline" implies a distinct and easily observable decrease. "A notable decline" also indicates a noticeable decrease, but emphasizes its importance or significance.