a substantial drop in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial drop in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a significant decrease in a particular quantity or measurement. Example: "There was a substantial drop in sales during the last quarter, which raised concerns among the management team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

In contrast, there was a substantial drop in choice accuracy following the infusion of either muscimol (58%) or AP5 (67%).

Behavioural Brain Research

There was however a substantial drop in OTC trading.

Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money

We had a substantial drop in the first quarter of this year.

The New York Times

An urgent programme to vaccinate children, teenagers and young adults has led to a substantial drop in the numbers unprotected.

The Guardian

In this case, though, a pretty modest rate of growth has been associated with a substantial drop in unemployment.

The New Yorker

Its imports from Australia, the only country in the group not experiencing a substantial drop in exports, have soared.

The New York Times

And even a moderate recession could leave the budget projections unrealistic, as could a substantial drop in the stock market.

The New York Times

There was simultaneously a sharp increase in the number of physicians, and a substantial drop in infant mortality.

Britannica

Results indicate that large non-uniformity of suction flow causes a substantial drop in the pump head.

Ocean Engineering

Fears over a possible link between the MMR jab and autism led to a substantial drop in take-up of the vaccine.

The Guardian

The scientists said that, over all, there has been a substantial drop in the rate of wetlands destruction since the 1970's.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial drop in", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is experiencing the decline. Providing specific numbers or percentages can strengthen the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid attributing "a substantial drop in" something to a single cause without sufficient evidence. Multiple factors often contribute to significant declines, and oversimplifying the cause can lead to inaccurate conclusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial drop in" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence. It indicates a significant reduction or decrease in something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial drop in" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote a significant decline. As verified by Ludwig AI, its usage spans various contexts, from scientific research to news reporting. When employing this phrase, be sure to provide context to explain what is experiencing the decrease and, if possible, quantify the change with specific figures. Remember to avoid oversimplifying the causes of the drop, as multiple factors are often at play. With diverse alternatives like "a significant decrease in" and "a considerable decline in", you can refine your writing while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant decrease in

Replaces "substantial" with "significant", emphasizing the importance of the decrease.

a considerable decline in

Uses "considerable" and "decline" to highlight the noteworthiness of the reduction.

a marked reduction in

Substitutes "substantial" with "marked" and "drop" with "reduction", focusing on the noticeable aspect of the decrease.

a noticeable fall in

Replaces "substantial" with "noticeable" and "drop" with "fall", indicating the ease with which the decrease can be observed.

a sharp downturn in

Employs "sharp downturn" to suggest a sudden and significant decrease, often in an economic context.

a major reduction in

Uses "major" to emphasize the importance of the reduction.

a steep decline in

Replaces drop with decline emphasizing the sudden and quick diminishing.

a considerable lessening of

Uses "lessening of" as the replacement of drop and "considerable" as the replacement of "substantial".

a large decrease of

Uses "large decrease of" as a synonymous of "substantial drop in"

a significant lessening in

Uses "significant lessening in" as a synonymous of "substantial drop in".

FAQs

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

Use "a substantial drop in" to describe a significant decrease. For example, "There was "a substantial drop in sales" last quarter."

What are some alternatives to "a substantial drop in"?

Alternatives include "a significant decrease in", "a considerable decline in", or "a marked reduction in", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "substantial drop" or "significant drop"?

Both "substantial drop" and "significant drop" are acceptable. "Substantial" implies a considerable amount, while "significant" suggests importance or consequence. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Can "a substantial drop in" be used for abstract concepts, or only for quantifiable items?

While often used with quantifiable items like sales or numbers, "a substantial drop in" can also apply to abstract concepts such as morale or confidence, as long as the decrease is significant and noticeable.