a sharp upturn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sharp upturn" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden and significant increase in something, such as prices, sales, or trends. Example: "The company experienced a sharp upturn in profits after launching their new product line."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

But the lack of a sharp upturn means such partial recompense has not been forthcoming this time round.

The Economist

Mr. Stamatiadis said this contributed to a sharp upturn in the region's high-end real estate market.

The New York Times

"Our operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have, and will, produce a sharp upturn in such psychiatric casualties.

The Guardian

And there has been a quite a sharp upturn in output so it caught a few suppliers a bit cold".

The Guardian - Business

The earnings reports have been overshadowed by the developments in Egypt, which have caused a sharp upturn in oil prices over the last week.

The New York Times

The company, which provides an online service that helps groups organize and meet offline, has seen a sharp upturn in business this quarter.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

It isn't that we're perhaps on the verge of a very sharp upturn.

Forbes

Last week, Christina Romer, the head of the Council of Economic Advisers, expressed the hope that the Administration's policies would lead to a "Rooseveltian moment," by which she meant a sharp economic upturn, like the one that occurred from 1933 to 1937.

The New Yorker

This highlighted the sharp upturn in form the Swiss side has experienced, who after losing their opening two League games this season have not lost in any competition since the end of July and are currently fourth in the Swiss Super League.

Independent

As Ashton reflected on Saturday's sharp upturn - "I think the future is very bright and England supporters can look forward to some exciting times over the next two or three years" - he was aware that some people are far from satisfied.

The Guardian - Sport

The sharp upturn in Michael O'Leary's fortunes at Ireland's biggest Christmas meeting continued here on Thursday, when Ryanair's chief executive avoided the awkwardness of presenting the prize in the feature event – the Ryanair Hurdle, no less – to Willie Mullins, the trainer he ditched in a dispute over training fees three months ago.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing economic trends or statistical data, consider using "a sharp upturn" to indicate a significant and rapid increase. This phrase adds emphasis and clarity to your analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "a sharp upturn" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler phrases like "sudden increase" or "quick rise" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sharp upturn" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a specific type of change, indicating a rapid and significant increase. Ludwig examples showcase this usage across diverse domains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sharp upturn" is a useful phrase for describing a sudden and significant increase, commonly employed in news, scientific, and business contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and well-suited for formal writing, although alternatives like "sudden increase" may be preferable in informal settings. Its prevalence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability for describing notable upward trends. Understanding its function as a noun phrase and its purpose to highlight specific increases is key to using it effectively. Steer clear of overuse in informal conversations, and you'll leverage the phrase's descriptive power appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sudden increase

Emphasizes the abruptness of the rise, similar to "sharp" but using different vocabulary.

a marked rise

Highlights the noticeable nature of the increase, conveying a similar meaning of significant upward change.

a significant surge

Uses "surge" to indicate a powerful and sudden increase, closely related to the original phrase.

a steep incline

Employs a metaphor of physical steepness to describe a rapid increase.

a rapid escalation

Focuses on the quick pace of the increase, using "escalation" to suggest growth in intensity.

a quick upswing

Replaces "upturn" with "upswing", maintaining the meaning of an upward trend.

a dramatic climb

Uses "dramatic" to emphasize the magnitude and impact of the increase.

an abrupt escalation

Combines abruptness and escalation to highlight a sudden and intensifying increase.

a prominent increase

Highlights that the increase is readily apparent or noticeable.

a notable upswing

Similar to 'a quick upswing', this alternative underscores the remarkableness of the upward trend.

FAQs

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

You can use "a sharp upturn" to describe a sudden and significant increase in something. For example, "The company experienced "a sharp upturn" in sales after the new marketing campaign".

What are some alternatives to saying "a sharp upturn"?

Alternatives to "a sharp upturn" include "a sudden increase", "a marked rise", or "a significant surge", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a sharply upturned" instead of "a sharp upturn"?

While "upturned" can be used as an adjective, "a sharply upturned" is less common and might sound awkward. "A sharp upturn" is generally the preferred and more natural phrasing.

In what contexts is "a sharp upturn" most appropriate?

"A sharp upturn" is best suited for formal contexts such as news reports, business analysis, and scientific writing where a precise and impactful description of an increase is needed. Using it adds a sense of immediacy and significance to the described trend.