an unexpected decline

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an unexpected decline" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where there has been a decrease or drop that was not anticipated. Example: "The company reported an unexpected decline in sales this quarter, surprising analysts and investors alike."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

An uptick in initial jobless claims last week and an unexpected decline in durable goods orders had U.S. Treasury prices higher.

Forbes

Gasoline jumped after an industry report showed an unexpected decline in inventories.

The New York Times

A decline in the cost of agricultural products resulted in an unexpected decline in consumer prices this month.

The New York Times

Crude oil rose after an unexpected decline in United States inventories left supplies close to a 24-year low.

The New York Times

He noted that one state, which he did not identify, reported an unexpected decline in claims last week.

The New York Times

Although some of the weakness can be attributed to an unexpected decline in business inventories (which may well reverse course), consumer spending and corporate investment were also disappointing.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding was suspected if the decline in hemoglobin concentration was associated with melena, or if there was an isolated unexpected decline in hemoglobin level higher than 2 g/dl within 48 hours or 1 g/dl on two consecutive days.

Critical Care

This may be explained, because in the summer of 1996, ACTG 320, a large trial with target enrollment of 1,750 patients, experienced a sharp, unexpected decline in its rate of enrollment despite an early rigorous accrual pattern.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

A HUGE, unexpected decline in profits.

The Economist

PARIS — Credit Suisse reported a sharp and unexpected decline in third-quarter earnings Thursday after a weaker-than-expected performance by its investment banking arm.

The New York Times

"In the second half of June we experienced a rapid and unexpected decline in orders for immediate shipment from a wide range of customers and partners," said Tomo Razmilovic, president and chief executive of Symbol.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an unexpected decline", clearly specify the area or metric that experienced the drop. For example, specify "an unexpected decline in sales" or "an unexpected decline in profits".

Common error

Avoid using "unexpected" simply to add emphasis. Ensure that the decline truly deviates from established patterns or forecasts; otherwise, consider using a simpler term like "decline".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unexpected decline" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a decrease or reduction that was not anticipated. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an unexpected decline" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe a decrease or reduction that was not anticipated. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It's most commonly found in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, be sure to specify the area or metric that experienced the decline for clarity and avoid simply using "unexpected" as filler. Alternatives include "an unforeseen drop" or "an unanticipated decrease".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an abrupt decline

Emphasizes the suddenness of the decline.

an unforeseen drop

Focuses on the lack of anticipation.

an unanticipated decrease

Highlights the lack of prior expectation of the decrease.

an unpredicted downturn

Implies a negative trend that was not foreseen.

a surprising reduction

Stresses the element of surprise associated with the reduction.

an unheralded dip

Indicates a sudden and unannounced decrease.

an unlooked-for fall

Suggests that the fall was not anticipated or desired.

an unforeseen reduction

Highlights that the reduction was not seen in advance.

a sudden downturn

Emphasizes the abrupt nature of the economic decline.

an unanticipated contraction

Focuses on the lack of anticipation in the contraction.

FAQs

How can I use "an unexpected decline" in a sentence?

You can use "an unexpected decline" to describe a situation where something decreases or drops in a way that was not anticipated. For example: "The company experienced "an unexpected decline" in revenue this quarter."

What are some alternatives to "an unexpected decline"?

Some alternatives to "an unexpected decline" include "an unforeseen drop", "an unanticipated decrease", or "a surprising reduction". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "an unexpected decline" and "an unprecedented decline"?

"An unexpected decline" simply means the decrease was not predicted. "An unprecedented decline", on the other hand, means the decrease is the largest or most significant of its kind ever recorded.

Is it more formal to say "an unexpected decline" or "a surprising decrease"?

"An unexpected decline" and "a surprising decrease" are quite similar in formality. However, "decline" may be slightly more formal than "decrease", making "an unexpected decline" suitable for professional or academic contexts.