a small drop in

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence 'a small drop in' is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to describe a noticeable but small decrease or reduction in something. Here is an example: "The company's profits saw a small drop in the last quarter, but overall, they are still performing well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is not a small drop in some cases.

The New York Times - Sports

This year has seen a small drop in murders.

The Economist

Production of consumer goods was flat after a small drop in March.

The New York Times

Just a small drop in intensity can make a big difference.

The Guardian

So a small drop in what a bank owns can quickly wipe out the bank's worth.

Harvard Business Review

However, there has been a small drop in enrollment according to figures released this week.

The Guardian

A small drop in energy costs offset slightly higher food prices.

The New York Times

The department also predicted a small drop in the number of acres of corn that would be harvested this fall.

The New York Times

A small drop in unemployment claims and a higher profit forecast by FedEx helped push stocks up Thursday.

The New York Times

While the DoJ should be applauded for these efforts, they represent only a small drop in the vast ocean of criminal justice inequality that persists across the nation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Consumer spending is forecast to decline further as the jobless rate increases, despite a small drop in unemployment benefit claims last week.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a small drop in", ensure the context clearly defines what is experiencing the drop. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the impact of "a small drop in". Ensure your language reflects the minor nature of the decrease, not a major crisis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small drop in" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It signifies a minor decrease or reduction in a specified entity, similar to the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small drop in" is a versatile phrase used to describe a minor decrease or reduction. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and very common, appearing frequently in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what is experiencing the drop and avoid overstating its significance. Alternatives include "a slight decrease in" and "a minor reduction in". Understanding its function, purpose, and register, coupled with awareness of common errors, will enhance your ability to use it effectively in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight decrease in

Replaces "drop" with "decrease" and "small" with "slight", maintaining the meaning of a minor reduction.

a minor reduction in

Substitutes "drop" with "reduction" and "small" with "minor", emphasizing the limited extent of the decrease.

a marginal decline in

Replaces "drop" with "decline" and "small" with "marginal", suggesting a minimal downturn.

a modest fall in

Substitutes "drop" with "fall" and "small" with "modest", indicating a limited decrease in quantity or level.

a gentle dip in

Replaces "drop" with "dip" and "small" with "gentle", implying a slight and gradual decrease.

a tiny decrease in

Emphasizes the insignificance of the reduction by using "tiny" instead of "small".

a negligible decline in

Highlights the near absence of the decrease, using "negligible" to downplay the drop.

a fractional reduction in

Conveys the idea of the reduction being just a fraction, highlighting its small scale.

a limited decrease in

Focuses on the constraint imposed on the decrease, using "limited" to express its scale.

a minimum fall in

Suggests that the fall is at its lowest possible level, implying a small effect.

FAQs

How can I use "a small drop in" in a sentence?

You can use "a small drop in" to describe a minor reduction or decrease in something. For example, "There was "a small drop in" sales this month compared to last month".

What are some alternatives to saying "a small drop in"?

Alternatives include "a slight decrease in", "a minor reduction in", or "a marginal decline in", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a small drop in" or "a slight drop in"?

Both "a small drop in" and "a slight drop in" are acceptable. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey, as they are largely interchangeable.

Can "a small drop in" be used for abstract concepts?

Yes, "a small drop in" can be used for abstract concepts such as confidence, morale, or efficiency, as well as for concrete quantities like sales or temperature. For example, "There was "a small drop in" team morale after the project delay".