a significant downturn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant downturn" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a notable decline or decrease in a particular context, such as economics, business, or performance metrics. Example: "The company experienced a significant downturn in sales during the last quarter, prompting a reevaluation of its marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

"We expect a significant downturn".

The New York Times

The concern is that they may have already missed a significant downturn.

The Guardian - Opinion

Though prices have stabilized more recently, there has not been a significant downturn.

The New York Times

Anyone who loses that will tell you it's a significant downturn.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Maugeri said that "the conditions for a significant downturn" were in place.

The New York Times

"We've seen a significant downturn in our expectations that we're calling out today," said Andy Parker, Capita's chief executive.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

But for the tribe, whose purple casino buses are as common a sight in the Twin Cities as summer mosquitoes, any significant downturn in profits would spread economic pain in a fairly wide arc.

The New York Times

"Without the low-cost carriers, we would have been looking at a pretty significant downturn in activity," said James Tyrrell, chief revenue officer at Philadelphia International Airport.

The New York Times

In the past month, however, his ratings have taken a more significant downturn.

Huffington Post

A second, more significant downturn has occurred over the past decade.

The Washington Post

They believed there would be no significant downturn and even in a downturn, they didn't believe a recession would affect the higher end".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a significant downturn", ensure the context clearly indicates what is experiencing the downturn. Be specific about the affected area (e.g. "a significant downturn in sales" is clearer than just "a significant downturn").

Common error

Avoid using "a significant downturn" without providing quantifiable data or context. Instead of saying, "The company faced a significant downturn", specify "The company faced a significant 20% downturn in quarterly profits".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant downturn" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a period of decline. Ludwig confirms this usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a significant downturn" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a notable decline or decrease in various areas, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's frequently used in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts to describe economic recessions, business slumps, or other measurable declines. While synonyms like "a considerable decrease" or "a marked decline" can be used, it's important to provide specific context to clarify what is experiencing the downturn. Be careful not to overgeneralize the use of this phrase by ensuring your descriptions are clear and supported with data.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable decrease

Replaces "significant downturn" with a more general term for decrease.

a marked decline

Uses "marked" to emphasize the notability of the decline.

a substantial drop

Emphasizes the magnitude of the reduction.

a major recession

Specifies the downturn as a recession, implying broader economic impact.

a steep fall

Conveys a rapid and significant decrease.

a notable reduction

Highlights the worthiness of noting the reduction.

a sharp decrease

Indicates a sudden and significant drop.

a severe contraction

Suggests a shrinking or reduction in size or activity.

economic slowdown

More specific to economic contexts, indicating a deceleration.

business slump

Specifically refers to a period of poor performance in business.

FAQs

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

You can use "a significant downturn" to describe a notable decline in various contexts. For example: "The tourism industry experienced a significant downturn after the pandemic", or "There was a significant downturn in the housing market last year".

What are some alternatives to "a significant downturn"?

You can use alternatives like "a considerable decrease", "a marked decline", or "a substantial drop" depending on the specific context you're describing.

Is it better to say "a significant downturn" or "a major downturn"?

Both "a significant downturn" and "a major downturn" are acceptable. "Significant" emphasizes the importance or impact of the downturn, while "major" emphasizes the scale or size. Choose the term that best fits the specific context.

What causes "a significant downturn" in the economy?

A "significant downturn" can be caused by various factors such as decreased consumer spending, increased unemployment, global economic crises, or changes in government policies. It often involves multiple contributing factors.