decline in frequency

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decline in frequency" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a reduction or decrease in how often something occurs or is observed. Example: "There has been a noticeable decline in frequency of customer complaints over the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

During the course of an episode, rehydration, medication and care-seeking also showed a decline in frequency after the first or second week.

Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Jing Y, Gravenstein S, Chaganty NR, Chen N, Lyerly KH, Joyce S et al. Aging is associated with a rapid decline in frequency, alterations in subset composition, and enhanced Th2 response in CD1d-restricted NKT cells from human peripheral blood.

Nature

Visa reports chip-enabled merchants have seen a 66% decline in frequency of counterfeit card fraud occurrences over the last two years, as well as a 58% decline in counterfeit fraud losses.

Forbes

A 2014 state study tied the decline to seven factors, including predators, whose numbers have swelled because of a "decline in frequency of severe winters".

Huffington Post

For the same reason, the number of possible allele combinations has little impact on the predicted decline in frequency of the predominant allele combination.

Plosone

The low <img src="http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/asset?id=info?doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0019009.e215.PNG" class= inline-graphic"/> of the P-words and S-words would tend to predict a decline in frequency (see above), but instead the frequencies of these particular words rose.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

The most common open neural tube defect, myelomeningocele (MMC), is declining in frequency in North America.

The Spine Journal

Sacrifices declined in frequency and gambits almost disappeared at the master level.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But the attacks have declined in frequency and scale since late 2004, mirroring a general reduction in the pace and intensity of guerrilla fighting in Russia's southwest.

The New York Times

Among the 121 species recorded in both surveys, 40% had significantly declined in frequency while 10% had significantly increased.

Biological Conservation

The rocket attacks, which had declined in frequency since the power-sharing agreement was reached, have prompted Israeli reprisals at a time of chaotic Palestinian factional fighting.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "decline in frequency", ensure that the context clearly specifies what is declining and over what period. For example, "There was a noticeable decline in the frequency of errors after implementing the new training program."

Common error

Avoid using "decline in frequency" without providing specific details. For example, instead of saying "There has been a decline in frequency", specify what has declined, by how much, and over what timeframe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decline in frequency" functions as a nominal phrase. It describes a decrease in the rate at which something occurs. Ludwig examples show this usage in scientific and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decline in frequency" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a reduction in how often something occurs. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It appears most frequently in scientific and news-related contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, be sure to specify what is declining and over what period. Alternatives include ""decrease in frequency"" and "reduction in frequency". As always, clarity and context are key when employing this phrase in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decrease in frequency

Replaces "decline" with "decrease", maintaining the same meaning.

reduction in frequency

Substitutes "decline" with "reduction", emphasizing the diminishing aspect.

drop in frequency

Uses "drop" instead of "decline", suggesting a more sudden decrease.

decrease in occurrence

Replaces "frequency" with "occurrence", focusing on the event itself.

diminution in frequency

Employs "diminution" for a more formal and nuanced sense of reduction.

lessening in frequency

Uses "lessening" to convey a gradual reduction.

waning in frequency

Substitutes "decline" with "waning", implying a gradual fading or weakening.

slackening in frequency

Uses "slackening" to indicate a decrease in activity or pace.

falloff in frequency

Replaces "decline" with "falloff", emphasizing a decrease from a previous high point.

recession in frequency

Employs "recession" suggesting a downturn or period of reduced activity.

FAQs

What does "decline in frequency" mean?

The phrase "decline in frequency" refers to a reduction in how often something occurs or is observed. It indicates that the rate or number of occurrences has decreased over a period of time.

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

You can use "decline in frequency" to describe a decrease in the occurrence of events. For instance, "There was a significant "decrease in frequency" of customer complaints after the new policy was implemented."

What are some alternatives to "decline in frequency"?

Alternatives to "decline in frequency" include phrases like "reduction in frequency", "decrease in occurrence", or "drop in frequency", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "decline in frequency" or "decrease in frequency"?

Both "decline in frequency" and ""decrease in frequency"" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice between them often depends on stylistic preference, although "decline" might suggest a more gradual or long-term reduction.