a worrying decline

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a worrying decline" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is a concerning decrease in something, such as performance, quality, or numbers. Example: "The recent statistics show a worrying decline in the number of students enrolling in science courses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

However, more recent data indicates a worrying decline in this loyalty (pdf).

The Guardian - Opinion

Indeed, recent FSB research shows a worrying decline in export performance among small businesses".

The Guardian

The overall savings ratio, released last week, continues to show a worrying decline.

The Guardian - Money

In the US, she saw a worrying decline in political support for environmental issues.

The Guardian

Now it must come up with new mobile-gaming gems fast simply to arrest a worrying decline.

The Economist

"Scientific data on wild pollinators, including wild bees is scarce, but current indicators show a worrying decline.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Their surveys on Ben Lawers, a 1,214m high peak on Loch Tay in Perthshire which is regarded as a mecca for botanists, had found "a very worrying decline" in the numbers of snow pearlwort.

The Guardian

The report card found 330ha of reef wetlands were lost between 2009 and 2013, which is considered a good result, although 30,980ha of riverbank vegetation was lost – a more worrying decline.

The Guardian

Last October, I traveled to the Grace Hopper Celebration in Women in Computing Conference to deliver a similar message: not only do women risk missing out on tomorrow's next great job opportunities, they also risk a more worrying decline in societal influence.

Huffington Post

These statistics tell a story of worrying decline among an audience that one would not expect to be overly concerned about spending an extra quid a week on such a fundamental purchase.

The Guardian

It's an interesting discussion to have with a director given the worrying decline of new Australian work on main stages this year.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the phrase "a worrying decline," follow it with specific data or examples to substantiate the claim and enhance credibility. For instance, "There has been a worrying decline in student test scores, with an average drop of 15% in the last year."

Common error

Avoid using "a worrying decline" as a vague generalization. Always specify what is declining and provide context. For example, instead of saying "There's a worrying decline," specify "There's a worrying decline in voter turnout among young adults."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a worrying decline" functions as a noun phrase, with "worrying" acting as an adjective modifying the noun "decline". It typically introduces a subject of concern, often preceding data or analysis that elaborates on the decline. Ludwig AI confirms the expression is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a worrying decline" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a concerning downward trend. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and suitable for various contexts, predominantly in news, science, and business. When using this phrase, be sure to specify the subject of the decline and, ideally, support it with data or examples. Alternatives include "a concerning decrease" or "an alarming drop", depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a concerning decrease

Replaces "worrying" with "concerning", maintaining a similar level of concern but with a slightly more neutral tone.

a troubling reduction

Substitutes "decline" with "reduction", emphasizing the quantitative aspect of the decrease while "troubling" highlights the problematic nature.

an alarming drop

Uses "alarming" to intensify the sense of concern and "drop" to suggest a sudden and significant decrease.

a serious downturn

Emphasizes the severity of the decline, suggesting potential long-term negative consequences.

a disappointing decrease

Focuses on the negative impact of the decline in relation to expectations or goals.

a grave deterioration

Replaces both words with stronger synonyms, conveying a more severe and potentially irreversible decline.

a significant regression

Uses a more formal and technical term to describe a movement backward or a return to a less developed state.

a negative trend

Offers a more neutral description of a downward pattern without explicitly expressing concern.

a downward spiral

Implies a continuous and accelerating decline, often with disastrous consequences.

a setback

Indicates a temporary or partial decline, suggesting that recovery is still possible.

FAQs

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

You can use "a worrying decline" to describe a concerning downward trend. For example, "The report indicated "a worrying decline" in sales this quarter."

What are some alternatives to "a worrying decline"?

Some alternatives include "a concerning decrease", "a troubling reduction", or "an alarming drop", depending on the specific context and level of concern you wish to convey.

Is "a worrying decline" formal or informal?

"A worrying decline" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in news articles, reports, and general conversation.

What causes "a worrying decline" in something?

The causes of "a worrying decline" vary depending on the context. It could be due to economic factors, policy changes, environmental issues, or other contributing factors. Specific analysis is needed to determine the cause in each situation.