a steep decline in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a steep decline in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant decrease in a particular metric or situation, often in contexts such as economics, health, or performance. Example: "The company reported a steep decline in sales over the last quarter, prompting concerns about its future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's a steep decline in sea ice".

The Guardian

It brought a steep decline in the family's income.

The Guardian

"The videos show a steep decline in Bowe's appearance and mental health," Mr. Hastings says.

The New York Times

That triggered a steep decline in the euro and the shares of European banks.

The New York Times

After the market closed on Friday, Yum posted a steep decline in April sales in China.

The New York Times

That would almost certainly result in a steep decline in aid to states.

The New York Times

That news led to a steep decline in the company's stock price in after-hours trading.

The New York Times

Worse, though, was a steep decline in revenue from trading and investment.

The Economist

Minnesota officials ban moose hunting indefinitely, citing a steep decline in the animal's population.

The New York Times

Still, abbots at rural temples notice a steep decline in devotee numbers during elections.

The Economist

Now buyers could choose from the lowest prices, resulting in a steep decline in wholesale rates.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a steep decline in", ensure the context clearly defines what is declining and the reasons behind it. This provides a more complete understanding for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a steep decline in" without specifying what is declining or providing any context. For example, instead of saying "There was a steep decline in something", specify "There was a steep decline in sales due to increased competition".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a steep decline in" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a significant decrease in something, as evidenced by examples in Ludwig and confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a steep decline in" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a significant decrease or reduction. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides various examples across different domains, primarily News & Media and Science. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it's often used in professional and academic contexts to report negative trends or concerning changes. To enhance clarity, it's best practice to specify what is declining and why. Alternatives like "a sharp decrease in" or "a significant drop in" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sharp decrease in

Replaces "steep decline" with "sharp decrease", emphasizing the suddenness and magnitude of the reduction.

a significant drop in

Substitutes "steep decline" with "significant drop", highlighting the importance of the reduction.

a rapid fall in

Changes "steep decline" to "rapid fall", focusing on the speed of the reduction.

a marked reduction in

Replaces "steep decline" with "marked reduction", underscoring the visibility and noteworthiness of the decrease.

a substantial decrease in

Uses "substantial decrease" instead of "steep decline", pointing to the considerable amount of the reduction.

a considerable downturn in

Replaces "decline" with "downturn", indicating a negative trend, especially in economic contexts, and "steep" with "considerable".

a precipitous drop in

Emphasizes the sudden and dramatic nature of the drop, similar to "steep", and uses "drop" instead of "decline".

a dramatic downturn in

Replaces "steep decline" with "dramatic downturn", suggesting a sudden and noticeable negative shift.

a severe reduction in

Substitutes "steep decline" with "severe reduction", emphasizing the seriousness of the decrease.

a notable contraction in

Changes "steep decline" to "notable contraction", often used in economic contexts to describe a shrinking of something.

FAQs

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

Use "a steep decline in" to describe a significant reduction or decrease in something. For example, "The company experienced "a steep decline in" profits this quarter".

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

"A steep decline in" indicates a significant and rapid decrease, while "a slight decline in" suggests a small and gradual decrease. The choice depends on the magnitude of the change you're describing.

Are there any formal alternatives to "a steep decline in"?

Yes, formal alternatives include "a significant reduction in", "a marked decrease in", or "a notable contraction in", depending on the specific context.

What can I say instead of "a steep decline in"?

You can use alternatives like "a sharp decrease in", "a significant drop in", or "a rapid fall in" to convey a similar meaning.