decline gradually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decline gradually" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a slow or incremental decrease in something, such as health, numbers, or quality. Example: "The population of the town began to decline gradually over the past decade due to the lack of job opportunities."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the decline gradually bottomed out, and in 2010 the population started growing again.

The Guardian

Following removal, serum fentanyl concentrations decline gradually and fall to about 50% in approximately 16 hours.

Journal of Pain and Symptom Management

In both funds, Alliance's fees decline gradually as total assets rise above certain levels.

The New York Times

The dollar started to decline gradually from 2002 but the current-account deficit only got bigger.

The Economist

Most official forecasts suggest that Japan's current-account surplus will decline gradually.

The Economist

Without government efforts to boost house-building, demand would have continued to decline gradually.

The Economist

The interest rate on the bonds will be 30percentthehe first year and then decline gradually to 15percentt.

The New York Times

But after that, he said, refinancings will decline gradually, which is good for investors in mortgage debt.

The New York Times

Then it will decline gradually because of a moderate shift to electronic bill payments and e-mail messages.

The New York Times

Fitch projects that public debt will peak in 2015-16 at 103% and decline gradually thereafter, assuming an effective interest rate close to current levels.

The Guardian - Business

Under the new scheme, the 30percentt solar tax credit will extend through 2019 and then decline gradually to 10percentt in 2022.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends, use "decline gradually" to convey a slow, consistent decrease rather than a sudden drop. This helps set the reader's expectations appropriately and avoids alarmist interpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "decline gradually" when the situation involves a sharp, immediate drop. Instead, opt for terms like "plummet", "collapse", or "drop sharply" to accurately reflect the abrupt nature of the change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decline gradually" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a larger sentence to describe how something diminishes or decreases over a period of time. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is both grammatically correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decline gradually" is a versatile and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe a slow and consistent decrease over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts, ranging from scientific and academic writing to news reporting. While it is important to distinguish it from phrases describing sudden declines, "decline gradually" effectively communicates a trend of steady reduction. Alternatives include "decrease steadily", "diminish slowly", and "recede gradually", each with slightly different nuances. When aiming for clarity and precision in describing trends, "decline gradually" is a reliable and well-understood choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decrease steadily

Replaces "decline" with "decrease" while maintaining the sense of a consistent downward trend. This focuses on a reduction.

diminish slowly

Emphasizes the reduction in size, importance, or intensity happening at a slower pace.

recede gradually

Suggests a gradual retreat or withdrawal, suitable for describing things like water levels or influence.

wane progressively

Implies a decrease in power, intensity or extent over time, lending a more formal tone.

ebb slowly

Evokes a more natural, rhythmic decline, like the tide going out; less common in technical contexts.

deteriorate steadily

Highlights the aspect of something worsening or decaying, implying a negative change over time.

reduce incrementally

Focuses on small, measurable reductions accumulating over time. Changes the wording to emphasize small increments.

drop incrementally

Highlights the fall happening in small steps.

fall steadily

Similar to decrease steadily, but focuses on the act of falling from a high point.

weaken gradually

Emphasizes a loss of strength or effectiveness over time.

FAQs

How can I use "decline gradually" in a sentence?

Use "decline gradually" to describe a slow and consistent decrease in something over time. For example, "The company's profits began to "decline gradually" after the new regulations were implemented."

What are some alternatives to saying "decline gradually"?

You can use alternatives such as "decrease steadily", "diminish slowly", or "recede gradually" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "decline gradually" or "decline suddenly"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they describe different situations. "Decline gradually" indicates a slow decrease, while "decline suddenly" describes a rapid drop. Choose the phrase that best reflects the actual trend.

What’s the difference between "decline gradually" and "decrease rapidly"?

"Decline gradually" suggests a slow and steady decrease over a period of time. On the other hand, "decrease rapidly" implies that the decline is happening quickly and suddenly. The key difference is the pace of the decrease.