a sustained decline

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sustained decline" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a continuous or prolonged decrease in a particular metric, such as economic performance, sales, or health indicators. Example: "The company has experienced a sustained decline in revenue over the past three years."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

While we specifically did not require a sustained biomarker response for the purposes of this study, all but seven patients did have a sustained decline in CA19-9 coverrmed over two consecutive measurements.

British Journal of Cancer

Dr Peter Williams, chairman of Acadametrics, said: "The housing market stalled in May, although it remains unclear as to whether this is the start of a sustained decline.

The Guardian - Money

Some theorize that the setback for European integration could eventually weaken the monetary union's Stability and Growth Pact, which tethers the Continent's euro-based economies together, and eventually send the euro into a sustained decline.

The New York Times

The literature suggests there is a growing decline in full-time equivalents of physician services, especially in areas where women are entering in greater numbers (e.g., family practice, obstetrics and gynaecology) and a sustained decline in the number of applicants where women do not apply (e.g., surgery) [ 5].

BMC Health Services Research

Few investors have seemed willing to bet on a sustained decline in oil, at least until this week, and as any contrarian will tell you, such one-way bets often turn out to be losers.

The New York Times

The switch came amid a sustained decline in Wal-Mart's same-store sales, which have been falling for nearly two years.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

But it quickly began a long, sustained decline.

The New York Times

The ventilatory response to hypoxia after birth in premature infants elicits an initial transient increase in respiratory rate and tidal volume that lasts for 1 2 min, followed by a late, sustained decline in spontaneous breathing that may last for several weeks [ 31, 59].

European Journal of Pediatrics

These findings are in accordance with results from a small Japanese study, reporting a marked and sustained decline of AQP4-Ab titres in two patients undergoing treatment with azathioprine and prednisolone with no relapse over 6 and 11 months, respectively (Takahashi et al., 2007).

Brain

Davie said it was "likely, not possible that we will be managing decline" in the years ahead with a "continued and sustained decline" in the average number of hours people who listen to the radio.

The Guardian

According to the predictions of our model applied to a prison with features similar to other prisons in RJ, the association of the DOTS strategy with annual X-ray mass screenings would allow to obtain a rapid and sustained decline in active TB prevalence.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a sustained decline", ensure the context clearly indicates what is declining and over what period. For example, "a sustained decline in sales over the past quarter".

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a sustained decline" in one area directly causes a decline in another without sufficient evidence. For instance, a decline in website traffic doesn't automatically mean a similar drop in revenue without considering conversion rates or average order value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sustained decline" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a continuous or prolonged decrease. For example, "The analysis revealed a sustained decline in customer satisfaction."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sustained decline" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that describes a continuous decrease over time. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, including science, news, and formal business settings. The phrase is valuable for communicating negative trends and requires careful consideration of the factors contributing to the decline. When writing it's key to not jump to the conclusion that decline in one thing is caused by the decline in another thing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a persistent decrease

Emphasizes the continuation and tenacity of the decline.

a continuous downturn

Highlights the ongoing nature of the economic decline.

a prolonged reduction

Focuses on the length and magnitude of the decrease.

a steady downtrend

Implies a consistent and predictable pattern of decline.

a gradual weakening

Suggests a slow and progressive loss of strength or value.

a chronic deterioration

Highlights the long-lasting and worsening nature of the decline.

a long-term contraction

Emphasizes the extended duration of the economic shrinkage.

a consistent falling off

Focuses on the regular and predictable decrease in quantity or quality.

a relentless slide

Suggests an unstoppable and rapid descent.

an unabated decrease

Highlights the fact that the decrease shows no signs of stopping or slowing down.

FAQs

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

You can use "a sustained decline" to describe a continuous decrease in something over time. For example: "The company experienced "a sustained decline" in profits due to increased competition."

What are some alternatives to using "a sustained decline"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a persistent decrease", "a continuous downturn", or "a prolonged reduction".

What is the difference between "a sustained decline" and "a gradual decline"?

"A sustained decline" implies a continuous decrease over a notable period, whereas "a gradual decline" emphasizes the slowness of the decrease, regardless of its duration.

Is it appropriate to use "a sustained decline" in formal writing?

Yes, "a sustained decline" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to describe a continuous decrease in various metrics, as shown by its usage in news articles, scientific papers and business reports.