a sharp fall in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sharp fall in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant decrease in a particular metric or value, often in economic or statistical contexts. Example: "There was a sharp fall in the stock market following the unexpected news."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

In both countries GDP rebounded in 2010 after a sharp fall in 2009.

The Economist

"What we've seen since 2010 is a sharp fall in the number of new homes being completed in the city".

BBC

There will inevitably have been a sharp fall in numbers completing courses this year.

The Guardian

The crash came in 1891, aggravated by a sharp fall in the prices of Victoria's main exports, wool and wheat.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The firm embarked on a radical restructuring this year, helping mitigate a sharp fall in share prices.

Forbes

Iron ore is still the biggest earner for BHP despite a sharp fall in commodity prices over the past year.

BBC

Most countries have seen a sharp fall in government spending' share during the past decade.

The Economist

But ITV dipped 2.5p to 129.2p after it warned of a sharp fall in second quarter advertising revenue.

The Guardian - Business

We note a sharp fall in the correlation entropy at the end of 2001, followed by strong entropy fluctuations.

Plosone

A sharp fall in the number of new infections followed.

Independent

The boom is being spurred by a sharp fall in prices and improvements in performance.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a sharp fall in", ensure the context clearly indicates what is experiencing the decrease. Providing specific numbers or percentages can enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a sharp fall in" one variable directly causes changes in another without sufficient evidence. Always consider other potential factors that may be contributing to the observed trend.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sharp fall in" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject or object complement, typically followed by a noun indicating what is decreasing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, supported by numerous examples demonstrating its structural integrity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sharp fall in" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe a significant decrease, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is most commonly found in news and media, encyclopedia and science contexts. Related phrases include "a steep decline in" and "a significant drop in". When using this phrase, ensure the context is clear and avoid assuming causation without sufficient evidence. Be aware that while generally accepted, the emphasis of the phrase is only warranted if the fall has been significant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a steep decline in

Replaces "fall" with "decline" and "sharp" with "steep", both indicating a significant decrease.

a significant drop in

Substitutes "fall" with "drop" and "sharp" with "significant", maintaining the core meaning of a notable reduction.

a marked decrease in

Replaces "fall" with "decrease" and "sharp" with "marked", both suggesting a clear and noticeable reduction.

a substantial reduction in

Uses "reduction" instead of "fall" and "substantial" for "sharp", indicating a considerable decrease.

a considerable decline in

Similar to "a steep decline in", but uses "considerable" to emphasize the extent of the decline.

a notable downturn in

Replaces "fall" with "downturn", suggesting a negative trend or decline.

a drastic decrease in

Emphasizes the severity of the decrease using "drastic" instead of "sharp".

a precipitous drop in

Uses "precipitous" to indicate a sudden and rapid drop.

a sudden decline in

Focuses on the abruptness of the decline with the adjective "sudden".

a significant downturn in

Combines "significant" with "downturn" to convey a notable negative trend.

FAQs

How can I use "a sharp fall in" in a sentence?

You can use "a sharp fall in" to describe a significant decrease in a particular metric or value. For example, "There was a sharp fall in the company's profits this quarter."

What are some alternatives to "a sharp fall in"?

Alternatives include "a steep decline in", "a significant drop in", or "a marked decrease in", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "a sharp fall in"?

While grammatically correct, using "a sharp fall in" might be misleading if the decrease is not actually significant. Ensure the context warrants the use of "sharp" to accurately reflect the magnitude of the change.

What's the difference between "a sharp fall in" and "a gradual decline in"?

"A sharp fall in" implies a sudden and significant decrease, whereas "a gradual decline in" suggests a slow and steady decrease over time. The choice depends on the nature of the change you're describing.