becoming depleted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "becoming depleted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gradual reduction in resources, energy, or supplies over time. Example: "As the project progressed, the team's enthusiasm was becoming depleted, leading to a decline in productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Agriculture is the livelihood of 70percentt of the world's poor, a population that is growing considerably, even as soil and water are becoming depleted.

The New York Times

"If you're very dark skinned then you shouldn't heed advice to apply sun block every time you go out – you should be more concerned about becoming depleted in vitamin D," Newton-Bishop said.

The Guardian

But because of the severe depression in New York real estate in the early 70's, equity in 11 Broadway was quickly becoming depleted, and the Yaddo directors sold it to Newman Brothers for a paltry sum.

The New York Times

Reserves of copper ore at some mines are becoming depleted, costs of production have increased, and income has fluctuated depending on the price of copper on the world market, accentuating the need for Zambia to broaden its economic base.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Badri said members were making sufficient investments to replace wells that were becoming depleted and to keep up with demand in countries with fast-growing economies, like China.

The New York Times

A challenge facing all would-be suppliers of clean water is that India's groundwater sources are becoming depleted because of changing rainfall, lack of systems to recharge aquifers and rising demand from agriculture, industry and growing populations.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Coastal aquifers become depleted, which leads to groundwater becoming salinated.

The Guardian

Most mineral P fertilisers are derived from rock phosphate, which is a non-renewable resource becoming increasingly depleted and consequently will also eventually become scarce and expensive [2].

Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture

In many regions, soils are becoming increasingly depleted of iodine.

The Guardian

Geospatially, Irish groundwater exhibits high δ18O values in southern and western coastal regions, becoming progressively depleted inland before reaching lowest measured values along the eastern coast, equating to a national groundwater δ18O profile range of approximately 3‰.

Journal of Hydrology

The international policy agency said an escalation of transnational and organised criminal networks engaged in fisheries crime over the last decade has contributed to world stocks becoming increasingly depleted and pushed valuable species towards extinction.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "becoming depleted" to highlight a progressive decline in resources, rather than an immediate disappearance. For example, "The town's water supply was becoming depleted due to the prolonged drought."

Common error

Avoid using "becoming depleted" when describing sudden or immediate losses. "Depleted" implies a gradual reduction over time. For instance, it's more accurate to say "The funds were stolen" rather than "The funds were becoming depleted overnight."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "becoming depleted" functions as a dynamic descriptor, indicating a progressive reduction or exhaustion of something. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to describe resources, energy, or even abstract concepts undergoing a gradual decline. This highlights its role in illustrating a state of progressive diminution.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "becoming depleted" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a gradual reduction or exhaustion of resources, energy, or supplies. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is valid and appropriate across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and general informational writing. While alternatives like "decreasing" or "dwindling" exist, "becoming depleted" effectively conveys the sense of a progressive decline. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a gradual process rather than a sudden loss.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decreasing

This alternative focuses on the action of diminishing in quantity or intensity.

dwindling

Implies a gradual and continuous reduction, often to a small amount.

becoming scarce

Focuses on the increasing rarity of something, often due to depletion.

becoming drained

Implies a loss of vital resources or energy.

running out

Suggests nearing the complete exhaustion of something.

approaching exhaustion

Suggests that the point of complete depletion is near.

becoming insufficient

Highlights the inadequacy of a resource due to reduction.

being exhausted

Emphasizes the state of being completely used up or tired.

being consumed

Focuses on the act of using something up completely.

getting lower

A more informal way to describe a reduction in quantity or level.

FAQs

How can I use "becoming depleted" in a sentence?

You can use "becoming depleted" to describe a gradual reduction in resources, energy, or supplies. For example, "The river's water levels were becoming depleted due to the lack of rainfall."

What are some alternatives to "becoming depleted"?

Some alternatives include "decreasing", "dwindling", "running out", or "becoming scarce" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "becoming depleted" in formal writing?

Yes, "becoming depleted" is suitable for formal writing. It accurately describes a gradual reduction and is widely understood. However, ensure the context aligns with the implication of a gradual decline.

What is the difference between "becoming depleted" and "being exhausted"?

"Becoming depleted" implies a gradual process of reduction, while "being exhausted" suggests a state of complete usage or emptiness. The former focuses on the transition, and the latter on the final state.