a significant decline in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant decline in" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a noticeable decrease in a particular area, such as statistics, performance, or trends. Example: "The report indicated a significant decline in sales over the last quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"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

That would lead to a significant decline in frivolous filibusters.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

This is largely influenced by a significant decline in negative attitudes among the over-65s.

The Guardian

And we are experiencing a significant decline in trust in scientific authorities.

The New Yorker

The reduction reflects a significant decline in emissions of nitrogen oxides.

The New York Times

The NBER defines a recession as a "significant decline in economic activity", using several indicators.

The Economist

Mr. Gingrich experiences a significant decline in national polls and does poorly in the caucus states.

The New York Times

With suitable policy responses, it need not even signal a significant decline in the economy.

The New York Times

The computer revolution has resulted in a significant decline in the number of handwritten manuscripts produced.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a significant decline in", ensure that the context clearly identifies what is declining and the factors contributing to the decline to provide a comprehensive understanding for the reader.

Common error

Avoid attributing "a significant decline in" something to a single cause without considering other contributing factors. Complex phenomena often have multiple interacting influences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant decline in" functions as a noun phrase modifier, indicating a notable reduction or decrease. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use across various contexts to describe decreases in quantities, qualities, or levels.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

46%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant decline in" is a versatile phrase used to denote a considerable reduction across various contexts. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and commonly employed in both News & Media and Science to highlight important reductions. When employing this phrase, remember to clearly identify the declining subject and consider multiple contributing factors to avoid oversimplification. Alternatives such as "a substantial decrease in" or "a marked reduction in" offer similar meanings with subtle nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial decrease in

Replaces "decline" with "decrease" and "significant" with "substantial", emphasizing the magnitude of the reduction.

a marked reduction in

Substitutes "decline" with "reduction" and "significant" with "marked", highlighting the noticeable aspect of the decrease.

a noticeable drop in

Uses "drop" instead of "decline" and "noticeable" in place of "significant", indicating an easily observed decrease.

a considerable fall in

Replaces "decline" with "fall" and "significant" with "considerable", emphasizing the extent of the decrease.

a steep downturn in

Uses "downturn" instead of "decline" and "steep" in place of "significant", conveying a rapid and substantial decrease.

a sharp decrease in

Replaces "significant" with "sharp", emphasizing the abruptness of the decrease.

a considerable diminution in

Substitutes "decline" with "diminution" and "significant" with "considerable", indicating a notable reduction.

a measurable decrease in

Emphasizes that the decline is quantifiable, using "measurable" in place of "significant".

a distinct reduction in

Uses "distinct" to highlight the clear and unmistakable nature of the reduction.

a notable weakening of

Replaces "decline" with "weakening" and uses "notable" to emphasize that the change is easily observed, and it implies a reduction in strength rather than quantity.

FAQs

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

Use "a significant decline in" to describe a notable decrease in quantity, quality, or degree. 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 in"?

You can use alternatives like "a substantial decrease in", "a marked reduction in", or "a noticeable drop in" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a significant decrease in" or "a significant decline in"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. "Decline" may subtly imply a gradual or ongoing process, while "decrease" is more neutral. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "a significant decline in" and "a slight decline in"?

"A significant decline in" indicates a considerable and noteworthy reduction, whereas "a slight decline in" suggests a minor or marginal decrease. The choice depends on the magnitude of the change you're describing.