a marked drop

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a marked drop" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant decrease in something, such as performance, sales, or temperature. Example: "There was a marked drop in sales during the winter months compared to the summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

At either extreme, we see a marked drop in effectiveness.

Harvard Business Review

It also heralded a marked drop in the temperature.

The Economist

But it is a marked drop from Baseera's February poll, which gave Sisi 51%.

The Guardian

It is rare to see such a marked drop so soon after an election.

The Guardian

As the eclipse progresses, you'll notice a marked drop in temperature.

Independent

The overall trend shows a marked drop when compared with the 85 executions in 2000.

The New York Times

She has suffered a marked drop in the number of people viewing her as "honest and trustworthy".

The Guardian

Leading charities have noted a marked drop in the number of children being put up for adoption.

The Guardian

"All the participants showed a marked drop in blood levels of indinavir after taking St .John's wort.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Marianne, London There has been a marked drop-off of celebrity fashion labels of late but fret not!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mr. Lehman said Sun expected earnings to be 2 cents to 4 cents a share, a marked drop-off from the 6 cents projected by industry analysts.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a marked drop", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is experiencing the decrease. For example, "There was a marked drop in temperature." Avoid vague statements without specifying the subject of the drop.

Common error

Avoid using "marked drop" when you intend to describe a slight or insignificant decrease. "Marked" implies a noticeable and significant change, whereas "marginal" would be more appropriate for minor reductions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a marked drop" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a significant decrease or reduction in something, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples like "a marked drop in temperature" or "a marked drop in sales".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a marked drop" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies a noticeable and significant decrease. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and business domains, it conveys factual information in a neutral to professional tone. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity about what is experiencing the reduction and differentiate it from a marginal or insignificant change. Consider alternatives such as "a significant decrease" or "a noticeable decline" for nuanced variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant decrease

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

a substantial decrease

Like "a significant decrease", it focuses on the magnitude of the drop.

a noticeable decline

Substitutes "drop" with "decline" and "marked" with "noticeable", making it slightly less formal.

a pronounced reduction

Synonymous with "a considerable reduction", indicating a clear and noticeable decrease.

a considerable reduction

Uses "reduction" instead of "drop" and "considerable" in place of "marked", indicating a substantial decrease.

a sharp fall

Replaces "drop" with "fall" and "marked" with "sharp", highlighting the suddenness of the decrease.

a steep decline

Similar to "a sharp fall", but emphasizes the rapid and significant nature of the decline.

a distinct downturn

Replaces "drop" with "downturn", often used in economic contexts, and "marked" with "distinct."

a visible lessening

Substitutes "drop" with "lessening" and "marked" with "visible", indicating that the decrease is easily observed.

a clear diminution

Uses "diminution" to replace "drop", conveying a reduction in size, extent, or importance.

FAQs

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

You can use "a marked drop" to describe a significant decrease or decline in something. For instance, "There was "a marked drop" in sales after the price increase."

What are some alternatives to "a marked drop"?

Alternatives to "a marked drop" include phrases like "a significant decrease", "a noticeable decline", or "a considerable reduction depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a marked drop" or "a significant drop"?

Both "a marked drop" and "a significant drop" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice often depends on stylistic preference, although "marked" can imply a more abrupt or noticeable change.

What does "a marked drop" typically refer to?

"A marked drop" commonly refers to a notable decrease in quantifiable metrics such as temperature, sales, performance, or participation rates, as seen in the examples: "As the eclipse progresses, you'll notice "a marked drop" in temperature" or "Leading charities have noted "a marked drop" in the number of children being put up for adoption."