a recession

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a recession" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing economic downturns or periods of negative growth in an economy. Example: "The country is facing a recession, leading to increased unemployment rates and reduced consumer spending."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a recession".

The New York Times

"That was a recession.

The New York Times

There is a recession on.

The Economist

No one wants a recession.

The New York Times

Economists call it a recession.

The Economist

We've been in a recession.

The New Yorker

"Housing isn't in a recession.

The New York Times

Look, we're in a recession.

The New Yorker

Sound ridiculous in a recession?

The New York Times

Are we in a recession?

The New York Times

Can Law Cure a Recession?

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the impact of "a recession", be specific about the sectors or groups most affected. Instead of saying "The recession hurt everyone", consider "The recession disproportionately impacted the manufacturing sector and small businesses."

Common error

Avoid using the term "a recession" loosely. Ensure that economic data supports the claim of a significant and widespread decline before using this term. A slowdown in growth does not automatically constitute "a recession".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a recession" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating its use in various contexts, such as describing current economic conditions or predicting future ones.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a recession" is a frequently used and grammatically sound noun phrase that describes an economic downturn. According to Ludwig, it appears most commonly in news and media, with substantial usage in academic contexts. While generally neutral in tone, understanding its specific impact and avoiding exaggeration are important when using the term. Related terms like "an economic downturn" or "an economic slump" can provide alternative ways to express similar economic conditions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an economic downturn

Replaces "recession" with a more general term for economic decline.

an economic slump

Uses "slump" to describe a sudden and significant fall in economic activity.

a period of economic contraction

Employs more formal and technical language to describe the economic decline.

a financial crisis

Highlights the financial aspects and potential severity of the situation.

a period of negative growth

Focuses on the lack of economic expansion.

a business cycle downturn

Frames the recession as part of the natural fluctuation of the economy.

an economic slowdown

Suggests a less severe decline than a full recession.

a market correction

Focuses on the adjustment of asset prices in the market.

tough economic times

Uses more colloquial language to describe a period of economic hardship.

a period of austerity

Highlights government measures to reduce spending and debt during an economic downturn.

FAQs

How is "a recession" defined in economics?

Economists generally define "a recession" as a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, normally visible in real GDP, real income, employment, industrial production, and wholesale-retail sales.

What are some signs that "a recession" may be coming?

Indicators of a potential "recession" include a declining GDP, rising unemployment, decreased consumer spending, and a drop in manufacturing activity.

What can I say instead of "a recession"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "an economic downturn", "an economic slump", or "economic contraction".

What is the difference between "a recession" and "a depression"?

"A recession" is a significant decline in economic activity, while a depression is a more severe and prolonged downturn. Depressions typically involve a larger drop in GDP, higher unemployment rates, and longer durations than recessions.