decline by one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decline by one" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate a reduction or decrease in quantity or value by a single unit. Example: "To adjust the settings, please decline the volume by one level."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is the growth rate of the annual average gross domestic product -- currently 8percentt -- that is likely to decline by one percentage point, not the annual average gross domestic product itself.

The New York Times

One-LOD support interval in centiMorgans: Refers to the region flanking each QTL peak in which LOD scores decline by one.

BMC Plant Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The number of people aged under 40 may already have peaked at 800m and is forecast to decline by one-third, or 250m, over the next 20 years.

The Economist

The EMI Group -- the third-largest music company in the world, with artists who include the British pop star Robbie Williams -- said pretax profit for the 12 months ending March 2002 would decline by one-fifth as consumers in the United States and Latin America bought fewer records.

The New York Times

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 — Under the timetable embraced Monday by Gen. David H. Petraeus, the number of American combat brigades would decline by one-fourth by next summer, to 15 in July from 20 now, with the prospect of deeper, if as yet unscheduled, reductions to come.

The New York Times

In its report, the budget office sees the economy shrinking at an annual rate of 2.9 percent in the first half of next year and then growing slowly, so that total output would decline by one-half of 1 percent from the fourth quarter of 2012 to the fourth quarter of 2013.

The New York Times

For every dollar above the standard deduction limit the couple claims, their combined tax bill will decline by one-quarter.

Forbes

Average SAT scores in reading and writing declined by one point this year, while math scores held steady, according to a report on the high school class of 2009 released Tuesday by the College Board.

The New York Times

But the number of students at grade level declined by one percentage point from last year.

The New York Times

According to the Internet measurement firm Nielsen/NetRatings, traffic to KaZaA declined by one million unique visitors the week ended July 6, after the announcement by the Recording Industry Association of America.

The New York Times

Despite the demands of mission in Afghanistan - the first 'hot' ground war fought in NATO history - total European defense spending declined, by one estimate, by nearly 15percentt in the decade following 9/11.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decline by one" when specifying a reduction of exactly one unit, especially in statistical or numerical contexts. Ensure clarity by specifying the units being measured (e.g., "decline by one percentage point").

Common error

Avoid using "decline by one" with non-countable nouns or in situations where a fraction or percentage decrease is more appropriate. For example, it's incorrect to say "the happiness declined by one"; instead, use "declined slightly" or "declined by a degree".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decline by one" functions as a verb phrase indicating a reduction or decrease in quantity, value, or degree by a single unit. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is a usable and understandable expression in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "decline by one" is a grammatically sound and comprehensible way to indicate a reduction of precisely one unit. As per Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. While relatively rare in occurrence, it finds usage in both news and scientific contexts. For alternative expressions, consider options like "decrease by one" or "reduce by one". When using "decline by one", ensure you are referring to a countable unit and specify the units being measured for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Decrease by one

Direct synonym, emphasizing a reduction in quantity or value.

Reduce by one

Another synonym, implying a deliberate action to lower something.

Diminish by one

Similar to decrease, but may suggest a more gradual reduction.

Lessen by one

Indicates a reduction in amount, size, or intensity.

Lower by one

Implies actively making something smaller by a single unit.

Drop by one

Suggests a sudden or abrupt decrease.

Fall by one

Similar to drop, indicating a downward movement in value or quantity.

Go down by one

Informal way to express a decrease in number.

Recede by one

Indicates a retreat or withdrawal by a single unit.

Contract by one

Suggests a shrinking or reduction in size or scope.

FAQs

How can I use "decline by one" in a sentence?

You can use "decline by one" to indicate a reduction or decrease by a single unit. For example, "The temperature will "fall by one" degree tonight".

What's a good substitute for "decline by one"?

Alternatives include "decrease by one", "reduce by one", or "drop by one", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "decline by one percent"?

While "decline by one" usually implies a single unit, "decline by one percent" is also correct and specifies a percentage decrease. Be clear in your wording to avoid ambiguity.

When is it inappropriate to use "decline by one"?

It is inappropriate to use "decline by one" when the decrease is not a single, countable unit or when a more general term like "decrease" is sufficient. Avoid using it with abstract concepts like happiness or general well-being.