a sharp recession

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sharp recession" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant and sudden decline in economic activity. Example: "The country is facing a sharp recession, leading to increased unemployment rates and business closures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

We had a sharp recession followed by a sharp recovery in the 1980s.

The New York Times

The result was a sharp recession, during which the economy began plummeting toward 1932 levels.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Only a sharp recession and the collapse of several major banks might deplete it, analysts say.

The New York Times

The most plausible domestic crisis in the next few years is a sharp recession, possibly associated with a stockmarket crash.

The Economist

Roosevelt lost further prestige in the summer of 1937, when the nation plunged into a sharp recession.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Not a stellar performance coming out of a sharp recession but much better than the current policy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

At the moment Ricky Ponting's Australians are a little like the world economy: nobody seems quite sure whether to expect a short, sharp recession or a long, enervating depression.

The Guardian - Sport

He said it had been a very sharp recession, which had created a lot of uncertainty.

The Guardian

It said the collapse in the country's banking system would produce a "very sharp" recession.Britain's unemployment rate, based on a survey of households, was 5.7% in the three months to August, up sharply from 5.2% in the previous quarter.

The Economist

America tumbled into a short, sharp recession, prompting the controls to be lifted.

The Economist

But, if the public sides with Tsipras government, then there will be a very sharp recession over the next few months.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic trends, use "a sharp recession" to emphasize the abruptness and severity of the downturn. This phrase is particularly effective in contrasting it with slower, more gradual economic declines.

Common error

While "a sharp recession" is a clear and accurate term, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler terms like "downturn" or "slump" when speaking informally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sharp recession" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "sharp" modifies the noun "recession". It describes a specific type of economic downturn, emphasizing its intensity and suddenness. As Ludwig AI explains, it’s a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

13%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sharp recession" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a sudden and significant decline in economic activity. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and the analysis of various sources shows its prevalence in news, business, and encyclopedic contexts. While appropriate for formal settings, consider using simpler alternatives in casual conversations. The phrase effectively conveys the severity and abruptness of an economic downturn, making it a valuable tool for economic analysis and reporting. Remember that according to Ludwig, you can replace it with similar concepts like "a steep economic decline" or "a severe economic contraction" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a steep economic decline

Replaces "sharp recession" with more descriptive adjectives to emphasize the severity of the downturn.

a severe economic contraction

Substitutes "recession" with "economic contraction" to highlight the shrinking of the economy, and "sharp" with "severe" to suggest intensity.

a rapid economic downturn

Replaces "sharp" with "rapid" to focus on the speed of the economic decline.

a sudden economic crisis

Uses "economic crisis" to convey a more urgent and critical situation than a simple recession.

a swift economic slump

Employs "slump" as a more casual synonym for recession, while "swift" emphasizes the speed of the downturn.

a precipitous economic fall

Highlights the sudden and dramatic nature of the economic downturn.

an acute economic downturn

Uses "acute" to stress the severity and intensity of the economic decline.

a marked economic slowdown

While "slowdown" suggests a deceleration, the term "marked" emphasizes a notable and significant shift.

a significant economic setback

Emphasizes the negative impact and challenges arising from the economic downturn.

a considerable economic depression

Expresses a longer and more drastic recession.

FAQs

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

You can use "a sharp recession" to describe a sudden and severe decline in economic activity, as in "The country experienced "a sharp recession" following the financial crisis".

What's the difference between "a sharp recession" and "a mild recession"?

"A sharp recession" indicates a severe and rapid economic downturn, while "a mild recession" suggests a less severe and possibly shorter period of economic decline.

What can I say instead of "a sharp recession"?

Alternatives include "a steep economic decline", "a severe economic contraction", or "a rapid economic downturn depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a sharp recession" in a business report?

Yes, "a sharp recession" is appropriate for business reports and other formal contexts where you need to accurately describe a significant economic downturn. It clearly conveys the severity and suddenness of the economic decline.