a significant decline

USAGE SUMMARY

"a significant decline" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to demonstrate a decrease in something, especially when comparing to earlier values. For example, "Recent reports show a significant decline in profits for the past 3 quarters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It suggested a significant decline.

The Guardian

An import price shock generates a significant decline in productivity.

Harvard University

A significant decline in the Company's stock price followed.

Harvard University

"It is a significant decline in performance," Mr. Adamson said.

The New York Times

A significant decline in executive pay is very unlikely.

The New York Times

And we've seen a significant decline because of those measures.

The Guardian - Opinion

Results revealed a significant decline in mean agitation scores.

Archives of Psychiatric Nursing

That would lead to a significant decline in frivolous filibusters.

The New York Times

Analyses showed a significant decline in abuse, physical health symptoms, anxiety, and depression over time.

Harvard University

There is also evidence that recently widowed individuals experience a significant decline in positive emotion.

Cornell University

To date, airlines have not seen a significant decline in demand.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a significant decline", ensure you quantify the decline with specific numbers or data to provide context and impact. For example, "a significant decline of 30% in sales".

Common error

Avoid using "a significant decline" without providing the context of what is declining and the period. Without context, the statement becomes vague and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant decline" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of reduction or decrease that is considered important or noteworthy. Ludwig examples confirm its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Academia

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant decline" is a commonly used phrase to describe a notable decrease across various contexts. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for formal, neutral, and professional communication. Its frequency is high across News & Media, Science, and Academic sources. When using the phrase, it's important to provide specific context of what's declining, and quantify the decline with numbers whenever possible for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable reduction

Emphasizes the magnitude of the decrease, similar to significant.

a marked decrease

Highlights the noticeable nature of the decline.

a substantial drop

Uses a more informal term ("drop") to indicate a large decrease.

a notable downturn

Implies a negative trend or reversal.

a sharp fall

Suggests a sudden and rapid decrease.

a major setback

Emphasizes the negative impact of the decline.

a steep decrease

Highlights the rate of decline.

a dramatic reduction

Implies a sudden and considerable change.

a considerable downturn

Suggests economic regression in a certain context.

a noticeable depreciation

Implies a decrease in economic value or worth.

FAQs

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

You can use "a significant decline" to describe a notable reduction or decrease in something. For example, "There has been "a significant decline" in the number of students applying to humanities programs".

What are some alternatives to "a significant decline"?

Alternatives include "a considerable reduction", "a marked decrease", or "a substantial drop". The best choice depends on the specific context.

How is "a significant decline" different from "a slight decline"?

"A significant decline" indicates a substantial decrease, whereas "a slight decline" implies a smaller, less impactful reduction. The choice depends on the magnitude of the change you're describing.

Is it appropriate to use "a significant decline" in formal writing?

Yes, "a significant decline" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to describe a notable decrease, as seen in many academic, news, and business contexts.