a rapid decline

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rapid decline" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quick or steep decrease in something, such as numbers, quality, or performance. Example: "The company experienced a rapid decline in sales over the last quarter, prompting management to reevaluate their marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But then the creek began a rapid decline.

The New York Times

Those cutbacks reflect a rapid decline in business confidence.

The New York Times

But even here, recent years have seen a rapid decline.

The Guardian

The revolution triggered a rapid decline in Romanian rugby.

The Guardian - Sport

Since then, its been a rapid decline to also-ran.

The Guardian - Opinion

He said that caused a rapid decline in cattle prices.

The New York Times

"There has been a rapid decline in market demand for it".

The New York Times

In the past, a rapid decline in manufacturing employment has usually been followed by a recession.

The New York Times

From topping the Premiership in January 2002, the club have experienced a rapid decline.

The Guardian - Sport

This is explained by a rapid decline in India's fertility rate.

The Economist

But the bigger issue is a rapid decline in global shark stocks that has alarmed scientists.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a decrease, use "a rapid decline" to emphasize the speed and severity of the reduction. This can add urgency or importance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a rapid decline" when the decrease is gradual or subtle. Using "a gradual decline" or simply "a decline" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rapid decline" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI highlights, it describes a quick and substantial decrease.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a rapid decline" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a fast and significant decrease. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples across various contexts, including news, science, and business. While alternatives like "a quick decline" or "a sharp decline" exist, the original phrase effectively conveys urgency and importance. To ensure proper usage, it is crucial to reserve this phrase for situations where the decrease is both fast and substantial. This is a powerful expression to highlight a significant downturn, whether in sales, health, or environmental conditions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a quick decline

Replaces "rapid" with "quick", emphasizing speed but with a slightly less formal tone.

a swift decline

Substitutes "rapid" with "swift", suggesting a fast and immediate decrease.

a fast decline

Uses "fast" instead of "rapid", providing a more informal synonym for speed.

a steep decline

Replaces "rapid" with "steep", focusing on the severity and angle of the decrease.

a sharp decline

Substitutes "rapid" with "sharp", highlighting the suddenness and intensity of the decrease.

a sudden decline

Uses "sudden" instead of "rapid", emphasizing the unexpected nature of the decrease.

a marked decline

Replaces "rapid" with "marked", focusing on the noteworthiness and visibility of the decrease.

a precipitous decline

Substitutes "rapid" with "precipitous", indicating a very steep and sudden fall, often implying danger.

a dramatic decline

Uses "dramatic" instead of "rapid", highlighting the significant and impactful nature of the decrease.

a noticeable decline

Replaces "rapid" with "noticeable", focusing on the ease with which the decline can be observed.

FAQs

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

You can use "a rapid decline" to describe a quick and significant decrease in something. For example, "The company experienced "a rapid decline" in profits this quarter".

What are some alternatives to saying "a rapid decline"?

Alternatives include "a quick decline", "a swift decline", or "a sharp decline", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "a rapid decline", or are there situations where it's not suitable?

"A rapid decline" is best used when the decrease is both fast and substantial. If the decrease is slow or insignificant, other terms like "a gradual decrease" or simply "a decline" may be more accurate.

What's the difference between "a rapid decline" and "a steady decline"?

"A rapid decline" indicates a fast and often dramatic decrease, while "a steady decline" suggests a more gradual and consistent decrease over time.