a steady fall

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a steady fall" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a consistent or gradual decrease in something, such as temperature, prices, or performance. Example: "The report indicated a steady fall in sales over the past quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

This maintains a steady fall from a peak of 48.4% in 1990.

The Economist

"More recent trends have seen a steady fall in the use of cannabis, amphetamines, and more recently, ecstasy," she said.

The Guardian

Sculptures got made and unmade, lost and found, amid a steady fall of clay and chiselled plaster.

The Guardian - Arts

Since then, there has been a steady fall but the total number of seizures rose again in 2011.

The Guardian

The government said there had been a steady fall in the number of households affected, with 24,000 fewer claimants affected than in May.

The Guardian

In the last five years, just about all of them have thrown their hats and helmets in the air to celebrate a steady fall in crime.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

As for the depression patients, they showed a steady falling trend with higher classes only when the conforming subjects were included.

BMC Psychiatry

From the sixth to eighth grades John's school performance had undergone a steady decline: falling from As and Bs initially to Cs and Ds by the time of his visit.

Huffington Post

Since then, markets began a steady tumble, ultimately falling 34%.

Forbes

Then, there was a steady decline till it fell to 48.8 ± 0.2 and 49.5 ± 1.2%%, respectively, at the end.

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

There was a subsequent steady fall in the prevalence of measured moderate to severe CKD (eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m) as the population size grew and the proportion of the population tested slowly increased, despite the prevalence of albuminuria increasing.

BMC Nephrology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends, use "a steady fall" to indicate a gradual and consistent decrease over time. Ensure the context clearly defines what is decreasing (e.g., "a steady fall in crime rates").

Common error

Avoid using "a steady fall" when the decrease is not actually consistent or gradual. If there are significant fluctuations, consider using terms like "a general decline" or "an overall decrease" instead to avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a steady fall" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a process or trend involving a consistent decrease.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

33%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a steady fall" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase, denoting a consistent and gradual decrease. Ludwig's analysis, confirmed by its prevalence across diverse sources, highlights its versatility. While "a steady fall" is a great choice to describe gradual decline, related phrases such as "a gradual decline" or "a consistent drop" offer subtle variations in emphasis. When employing the term, ensure the context aligns with the concept of consistent decrease, preventing potential misuse by indicating a non-consistent trend.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a gradual decline

Emphasizes the slowness and evenness of the decrease.

a consistent drop

Highlights the regularity and predictability of the decrease.

a continuous decrease

Focuses on the uninterrupted nature of the decreasing trend.

a sustained decline

Implies the decline has been ongoing for a significant period.

a progressive reduction

Highlights the step-by-step nature of the reduction.

a regular descent

Conveys a more formal or technical sense of decreasing.

a uniform decrease

Stresses the consistency and lack of fluctuation in the decreasing trend.

a constant diminution

Uses a more formal term to describe a decrease in size or importance.

a relentless depreciation

Implies a forceful and unstoppable decrease in value.

a systematic reduction

Highlights the planned and organized nature of the reduction.

FAQs

How can I use "a steady fall" in a sentence?

You can use "a steady fall" to describe a gradual and consistent decrease over time, such as "There has been "a steady fall" in unemployment rates this year".

What are some alternatives to "a steady fall"?

You can use alternatives like "a gradual decline", "a consistent drop", or "a continuous decrease" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a steady fall" in formal writing?

Yes, "a steady fall" is suitable for formal writing as it is grammatically correct and widely understood. Its use in reputable news sources and academic papers demonstrates its acceptability.

What is the difference between "a steady fall" and "a sharp decline"?

"A steady fall" implies a gradual and consistent decrease, whereas "a sharp decline" indicates a sudden and significant drop. The choice depends on the specific trend you are describing.