curve down

USAGE SUMMARY

"curve down" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a downward movement or slope, either physically or figuratively. Example sentence: The road began to curve down, leading us into a lush valley below.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Large spotlights hang from the flies as vines would curve down to the jungle floor.

The Guardian

Mr. Claudepierre said Ford had found it could simply turn over the front segments and have them curve down instead.

The New York Times

"If we want to bend that cost curve down, it's through the public option that we're going to do it," she said.

The New York Times

If countries merely sustain their Copenhagen commitments, that alone will bend the global emissions curve down, a 2013 MIT analysis found.

The Washington Post

Then we'll turn eastward, clearing the Cape of Good Hope to begin surfing the rollers and menacing waves of the Southern Ocean as we curve down close to the Antarctic ice below Western Australia's Cape Leeuwin.

The New York Times - Sports

Indeed, when you think about how much financial debt we've built up in the market and how much carbon debt we've built up in the atmosphere, the wisest thing we could do as a country today is to start tapping on the brakes by both emitting less carbon to bend the emissions curve down and racking up less debt to bend our debt-to-G.D.P. curve down.

The New York Times

What it means: The hope is that an expansion in the clean-energy sector between now and when the next round of national pledges would come out will make it possible to cut emissions growth ever-more aggressively, in order to "bend" the emissions curve down and achieve the temperature goals.

The Washington Post

By contrast, the bills of female caribs curve down twice as much, at a 30° angle.

Science Magazine

While the iPhone X glass may not curve down in the way that the edged display of the Galaxy Note 9, Apple has also laid claim to being bezel-free in the forward facing panel.

Forbes

The upper canines (C1) are long, have a broad base, and curve down and back (recurved).

Wikipedia

Before we spend more, doesn't it make sense to enact the necessary structural reforms that will help bend the postsecondary-education cost curve down?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "curve down" when describing a physical object or path that gradually descends in a curved manner, such as a road or a branch. For abstract contexts, it can be used to illustrate a gradual decrease or decline in a metric or trend.

Common error

Avoid using "curve down" to describe sudden or abrupt drops. This phrase implies a gradual and smooth decrease, so using it in contexts where the decline is immediate can be misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "curve down" functions primarily as a descriptive verb, illustrating a downward trajectory that is not linear but rather follows a curved path. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its correct and usable status in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "curve down" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe a gradual downward movement or decline. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used. It's most frequently found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, indicating its appropriateness for both formal and informal writing. When using "curve down", remember that it implies a smooth, continuous decrease rather than an abrupt drop. Consider using alternative phrases like "decline" or "slope downwards" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bend downwards

Highlights the act of bending in a downward direction, closely related to the original meaning.

decline

Suggests a gradual reduction or decrease, applicable in both physical and abstract contexts.

veer downwards

Indicates a change in direction towards a downward path, highlighting the alteration of course.

slope downwards

Specifies a downward incline, emphasizing the angle rather than the curving motion.

droop

Indicates a sagging or hanging downwards, often due to tiredness or weakness.

descend

This verb indicates a straightforward downward movement, lacking the gradual change implied by "curve down".

swing down

Suggests a pendulum-like motion in a downward arc.

dip

Implies a brief and often sudden downward movement, less gradual than "curve down".

sink

Implies a steady descent, potentially disappearing below a surface.

fall

A simple term for moving downwards, lacks the nuance of a curve.

FAQs

How can I use "curve down" in a sentence?

You can use "curve down" to describe a physical path, like "The road began to curve down the mountain", or to describe a trend, like "The company's profits started to curve down in the last quarter".

What is a synonym for "curve down"?

Alternatives to "curve down" include "descend", "slope downwards", or "decline", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the graph curves down"?

Yes, it is correct. Saying "the graph curves down" is a concise and understandable way to describe a downward trend visually represented on a graph.

When should I use "curve down" instead of "drop"?

Use "curve down" to emphasize a gradual and smooth decrease. "Drop" implies a more sudden and abrupt change. For example, "The temperature began to "curve down" in the evening", versus "The stock price "dropped" sharply after the announcement".