an overall decline

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an overall decline" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a general decrease or reduction in a particular area or aspect. Example: "The report indicated an overall decline in sales over the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The police said it led to an overall decline in crime and saved much police time.

The New York Times

That left the sector with an overall decline of 0.5percentt for the year to date.

The New York Times

This, according to critics, has led to an overall decline in university standards.

The Guardian

There was an overall decline in tree coverage and water distribution.

Yale University

This decline in gun violence is part of an overall decline in violent crime.

The Washington Post

Our results indicate that breeding practices need not lead to an overall decline in root length.

Applied Soil Ecology

The loss of snag mass exceeded the increase in log mass, resulting in an overall decline.

Forest Ecology and Management

The numbers helped drive an overall decline in income for the typical American family.

The New York Times

In general, he says, there has been an "overall decline in snowfall".

The New York Times

Sales also rose 9 percent in Germany, despite an overall decline in Europe.

The New York Times

High unemployment and inflation rates led to an overall decline in the standard of living.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an overall decline", ensure the context clearly indicates what is declining and the scope of the decline. For example, specify "an overall decline in sales" or "an overall decline in population growth".

Common error

Avoid using "an overall decline" without specifying what exactly is declining. Saying simply "there's an overall decline" leaves the reader wondering what is decreasing, leading to ambiguity. Instead, be specific: "There's an overall decline in student enrollment".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an overall decline" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence or clause. It names a general reduction or decrease in something. Ludwig examples show this phrase commonly describes trends, statistics, or conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an overall decline" is a commonly used noun phrase indicating a general decrease or reduction. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across diverse contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While versatile, it's crucial to specify what is declining to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases include "a general reduction" and "a significant downturn", offering alternative ways to express similar concepts. Understanding the scope and context ensures precise and effective communication when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a general reduction

Replaces "overall decline" with a more generic term for decrease.

a widespread decrease

Substitutes "overall decline" with synonyms, focusing on the breadth of the reduction.

a total decrease

Emphasizes the completeness of the decline compared to "overall".

a comprehensive drop

Replaces "decline" with "drop", adding a sense of suddenness while "comprehensive" emphasizes the scale.

a marked reduction

Uses "marked" to highlight the visibility or significance of the reduction.

a significant downturn

Replaces "decline" with "downturn", implying a negative trend in a business or economic context.

a net decrease

Specifies that the decrease is after accounting for any increases.

a downward trend

Shifts the focus to the direction of change, rather than the magnitude.

a slump

Suggests a sudden and significant decline, often in economic terms.

a weakening

Implies a gradual loss of strength or effectiveness.

FAQs

What does "an overall decline" mean?

The phrase "an overall decline" signifies a general decrease or reduction in something. It implies a downward trend when considering all aspects or factors.

What are some alternatives to "an overall decline"?

You can use alternatives like "a general reduction", "a widespread decrease", or "a significant downturn" depending on the context.

How do I use "an overall decline" in a sentence?

You can use "an overall decline" to describe a downward trend. For example, "The study showed an overall decline in the number of employed citizens".

Is it better to say "overall decline" or "general decline"?

"Overall decline" and "general decline" are quite similar. "Overall" often implies a comprehensive assessment, while "general" simply indicates a common or widespread occurrence. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. The "general reduction" can be used in several contexts.