appear to be dropping

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appear to be dropping" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation or trend that seems to be declining or decreasing. Example: "The sales figures for the last quarter appear to be dropping, indicating a potential issue with our marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

So far, overall holdings of Treasury bonds do not appear to be dropping.

The New York Times

2.58pm: Li Na, who has barely cracked a smile all match, doesn't appear to be dropping the hardman exterior now.

The Guardian - Sport

Women are often portrayed as shopaholics, but on Nordstrom's board, it is the men who appear to be dropping the most money while shopping.

The New York Times

As Ukraine's forces surround the last pro-Russian separatist strongholds in Donetsk and Luhansk, many of the more prominent faces of the rebels appear to be dropping out of the fight.

The Guardian

Although word is clearly out that the Americans are preventing them from going to Karbala -- several are "repeat customers," one soldier said -- the numbers do not appear to be dropping.

The New York Times

Landlords are raising rents just as building values appear to be dropping slightly in many cities as a result of the credit squeeze; in addition, the leasing market is slowing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The results aren't as graceful as a fine-dining chef rather, patties appear to be dropped onto your bun with the elegance of a trainee burger flipper.

MIT Technology Review

The infection rate among young sex workers appears to be dropping.

The New York Times

But as the prospect of him receiving Obama's backing recedes, he appears to be dropping out of the picture.

The New Yorker

In one way it is a small step that the Sun appears to be dropping its endless pictures of bare-breasted young women.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The Keep," which takes its title from the part of a fortress where last stands are made, appears to be dropping abundant hints about how the prisoners' fantasies mirror or even create the castle nightmare.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appear to be dropping" when you want to convey that something seems to be decreasing based on available evidence, but you are not stating it as a definitive fact. This allows for a degree of uncertainty or possibility of change.

Common error

Avoid using "appear to be dropping" when you have conclusive data showing a definite decline. In such cases, stronger verbs like "is decreasing" or "has dropped" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appear to be dropping" functions as a verb phrase expressing a perceived trend or state of decline. It suggests that based on current evidence, something seems to be decreasing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appear to be dropping" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to indicate a perceived decline or reduction, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is commonly found in news and media and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral register. While "appear to be dropping" implies an observed trend, it doesn't assert it as a definitive fact. Related phrases like "seem to be declining" or "look to be decreasing" can be used to express similar meanings with slight variations in nuance. Remember to avoid overstating the certainty of a decline when using this phrase. The phrase is correctly used when you want to express a perceived trend that might not be definitively confirmed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seem to be declining

Replaces "appear" with "seem", offering a slightly different nuance of perception.

look to be decreasing

Uses "look" instead of "appear", suggesting a visual assessment of the decline.

appear to be diminishing

Substitutes "dropping" with "diminishing", indicating a gradual reduction.

appear to be falling

Replaces "dropping" with "falling", implying a downward movement or trend.

seem to be lessening

Uses "lessening" instead of "dropping", suggesting a reduction in intensity or degree.

appear to be receding

Replaces "dropping" with "receding", indicating a movement away or back.

look to be dwindling

Substitutes "dropping" with "dwindling", highlighting a gradual decrease in number or amount.

are apparently decreasing

Changes the structure to emphasize the apparent nature of the decrease.

are seemingly declining

Uses "seemingly" and "declining" to convey a similar meaning with a slight change in emphasis.

show signs of reduction

Shifts the focus to the evidence suggesting a decrease.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "appear to be dropping" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "seem to be diminishing" or "indicate a decline". These options convey a similar meaning while maintaining a higher level of formality.

When is it appropriate to use "appear to be dropping" instead of "is dropping"?

Use "appear to be dropping" when you want to express a perceived trend that might not be definitively confirmed. "Is dropping" suggests a confirmed fact, while "appear to be dropping" indicates an observation based on available information.

What are some synonyms for "dropping" in the phrase "appear to be dropping"?

Alternatives to "dropping" include "decreasing", "declining", "diminishing", or "falling", each offering a slightly different nuance of meaning.

Is it correct to use "appear to be dropping" in academic writing?

Yes, "appear to be dropping" is acceptable in academic writing when you are presenting an observation or a trend that requires further investigation. It's suitable for indicating a perceived decline based on preliminary data.