abrupt decline

USAGE SUMMARY

"abrupt decline" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a sudden decrease in some type of activity or event. For example, "The stock market experienced an abrupt decline after the announcement of the new tariffs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The market's abrupt decline on Monday was caused primarily by concern over the nation's economy.

The New York Times

An abrupt decline in the country's Ashes fortunes followed, with England prospering under a new generation.

The Guardian - Sport

The abrupt decline in travel after Sept. 11 administered what looked like the coup de grâce.

The New York Times - Travel

Before the war, the influence of Mexico appeared to be in abrupt decline.

The Economist

… They concluded the 58percentt increase was caused by the abrupt decline in 'stop and frisks' in 2015.

The Washington Post

Lucent's revenue already reflects an abrupt decline in spending by its customers, as sales plunged 28percentto to $5.2 billion.

The New York Times

Goa underwent an abrupt decline in the 17th century Military and business harassment by the Dutch was partly to blame.

The New Yorker

The abrupt decline in consumer and corporate spending raises a disturbing existential question for Emeryville and other communities like it.

The New York Times

We hypothesize that an abrupt decline in kidney function prior to ESRD predicts early death after initiating maintenance hemodialysis therapy.

American Journal of Kidney Diseases

The abrupt decline of BlackBerry illustrates how consumers and investors demand almost instant change these days, especially from tech companies.

The New York Times

The abrupt decline has multiple causes, including less immigration from Latin America, where women tend to have more children.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "abrupt decline" when you want to emphasize the sudden and unexpected nature of a decrease. For example, "The company experienced an abrupt decline in sales after the product recall."

Common error

Avoid using "abrupt decline" to describe a slow, gradual decrease. "Abrupt" implies a sudden shift, so reserve this phrase for situations where the change is immediate and noticeable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "abrupt decline" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes a sudden and significant reduction in something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

41%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "abrupt decline" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe a sudden decrease. Ludwig AI analysis shows that it appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a sudden, rather than gradual, change. Consider alternatives like "precipitous drop" or "sudden downturn" for nuanced emphasis. Be mindful of potential misuse by avoiding it for gradual changes, and use it in formal writing, ensuring accuracy in portraying the rate of change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precipitous drop

Replaces 'decline' with 'drop' and 'abrupt' with 'precipitous', suggesting a very steep and sudden fall.

sudden downturn

Substitutes 'decline' with 'downturn', often used in economic or market contexts to indicate a rapid negative shift.

rapid decrease

Uses 'rapid' instead of 'abrupt' and 'decrease' instead of 'decline', maintaining the sense of swift reduction.

sharp fall

Replaces 'decline' with 'fall' and 'abrupt' with 'sharp', indicating a sudden and significant drop.

steep drop-off

Emphasizes the suddenness and severity of the reduction by using 'steep' and 'drop-off'.

marked reduction

Uses 'marked' instead of 'abrupt' to highlight a noticeable and quick decrease.

sudden reduction

Maintains the sense of immediacy by using 'sudden' instead of 'abrupt'.

dramatic decrease

Emphasizes the impact of the decline by using 'dramatic'.

radical diminution

Employs 'radical diminution' to underscore the thorough and substantial nature of the decrease.

swift contraction

Suggests a rapid shrinking or reduction, particularly in economic or physical contexts, replacing 'decline' with 'contraction' and 'abrupt' with 'swift'.

FAQs

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

Use "abrupt decline" to describe a sudden and significant decrease. For example, "There was an "abrupt decline" in the stock market after the news broke."

What are some synonyms for "abrupt decline"?

Alternatives include "precipitous drop", "sudden downturn", or "rapid decrease", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "abrupt decline" in formal writing?

Yes, "abrupt decline" is suitable for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to describe a sudden decrease. However, ensure it accurately reflects the situation; if the change is gradual, consider alternative phrasing.

What's the difference between "abrupt decline" and "gradual decline"?

"Abrupt decline" indicates a sudden and immediate decrease, while "gradual decline" describes a slow and progressive decrease over time. Choose the phrase that accurately represents the rate of change.