a marked upturn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a marked upturn" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant increase or improvement in a particular situation, such as economic growth or performance metrics. Example: "The company reported a marked upturn in sales during the last quarter, indicating a positive trend in consumer demand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

But from 2013 there has been a marked upturn.

The Guardian

The students seem to feel that the building respects them, and behaviour and learning are both showing a marked upturn.

The Guardian

Live, though, their many big-name vocalists – Tempa T, Plan B – are relegated to a video screen, unwisely playing second fiddle, and it's no coincidence that a parade of lesser-known guests towards the close provides a marked upturn in quality.

The Guardian - Music

The team saw a marked upturn in form, with Robert Kubica giving the team their first victory in the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix.

BBC

The team have a major upgrade to their car planned for next month's Spanish Grand Prix, which they hope will produce a marked upturn in form.

BBC

In five starts for London Irish this season he has four tries, a marked upturn on his strike rate of five from his previous 22 Premiership matches prior to this campaign.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The success of "Inside Man," in 2006, marked an upturn in his fortunes.

The New Yorker

The formation of the Wilhelm Furtwängler Society, modelled on its equally reverential but much more fanatical - and still existing - American equivalent, marked a significant upturn in the conductor's wider reputation.

The Guardian - Music

Endorsement (in the form of renewed funding) from bodies such as the NSF would mark a significant upturn in the fortunes of the rain-makers.

The Economist

The UN's softened stance, doubtless made easier by the lifting of sponsor suspensions, marks a significant upturn in the fortunes of an athlete whose career was thrown into jeopardy by her admission that she had taken meldonium, a drug that increases blood flow, for a decade.

The Guardian

It was found that both LDPEs exhibit marked strain hardening behavior, i.e. upturn departure from the low strain rate asymptote, in both uniaxial and biaxial elongational viscosities, with stronger strain hardening in uniaxial elongation.

Polymer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a marked upturn" to specifically highlight a noticeable and significant positive change or improvement. For example, use it when analyzing performance data or reporting on economic trends to emphasize a clear shift in a positive direction.

Common error

Avoid using "a marked upturn" in casual conversation or informal writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or stilted in contexts where simpler language would be more appropriate. Consider using phrases like "a big improvement" or "a clear increase" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a marked upturn" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig provides examples where it describes a significant positive change in various contexts, such as performance, form or quality.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a marked upturn" is a noun phrase used to describe a significant and noticeable positive change or improvement. It's grammatically correct and most commonly found in news and media contexts. While versatile, it should be used judiciously in informal settings, where simpler alternatives may be more appropriate. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase effectively communicates a clear and positive development, making it a valuable tool in formal writing and reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a noticeable improvement

Focuses on the positive change, emphasizing the improvement aspect rather than just an increase.

a significant rise

Uses 'rise' instead of 'upturn', highlighting the increase in a more direct manner.

a considerable increase

Emphasizes the magnitude of the increase, suggesting a large change.

a distinct upswing

Replaces 'marked' with 'distinct' and 'upturn' with 'upswing', providing a slightly more formal tone.

a sharp increase

Highlights the suddenness and steepness of the increase.

a substantial improvement

Similar to "a noticeable improvement", but emphasizes the importance or impact of the improvement.

a clear upsurge

Uses 'upsurge' to imply a sudden and powerful increase.

a dramatic increase

Conveys a more intense and impactful increase than "a marked upturn".

a notable uptrend

Emphasizes that the upturn is part of an ongoing trend.

a positive shift

Focuses on the change in direction, suggesting a move towards a more favorable state.

FAQs

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

You can use "a marked upturn" to describe a significant increase or improvement in something. For example, "The company reported "a marked upturn" in sales this quarter", or "There has been "a marked upturn" in student performance since the new program was implemented".

What are some alternatives to "a marked upturn"?

Alternatives to "a marked upturn" include "a significant rise", "a noticeable improvement", or "a considerable increase". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a marked upturn" in formal writing?

Yes, "a marked upturn" is perfectly suitable for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to describe a significant positive change. However, avoid overuse to maintain variety in your language.

What is the difference between "a marked upturn" and "a slight upturn"?

"A marked upturn" indicates a significant or noticeable increase, while "a slight upturn" suggests a small or minor increase. The choice between the two depends on the magnitude of the change you are describing.