decline in importance

USAGE SUMMARY

"decline in importance" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to a decrease or reduction in significance or relevance. Example: The decline in importance of traditional newspapers is evident in the rise of online news sources.

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

His pages were not easy to read, but he became, in the words of Stanley Morison, the typographical idol of the man of taste, and his "plain"—though deliberately and artfully contrived designs were an important factor in the decline in importance of the édition de luxe and its replacement by works more austere in feeling, more modern even to today's eyes.

Britannica

YouTube may usurp Facebook soon as the most important social media site, though it too has shown a decline in importance.

TechCrunch

The older household posts tended to disappear, become sinecures, or decline in importance.

Britannica

But Iran's influence may decline in importance as Iraq's Shiites flex their rediscovered muscles.

The New York Times - Magazine

Now, those fields are mature and, in time, will decline in importance.

The Economist

Likewise, when companies decline in importance they are dropped from stock indexes and new ones are added.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Desktop users are important, but they are declining in importance because of the rise of mobile.

Forbes

If you define traditional branding as mass media, it's going to be less important now than before, and it's declining in importance.

Huffington Post

In the meantime, Sihanouk declined in importance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, in the late 20th century, Japanese wholesalers declined in importance.

Britannica

In the Late Classic the centre declined in importance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "decline in importance", ensure the context clearly indicates what is losing importance and why. Providing specific reasons or examples strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the "decline in importance" without sufficient evidence. Overstating can weaken your argument and make your analysis appear biased.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decline in importance" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier. It typically describes a diminishing quality or state. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its usage in various contexts, confirming its standard grammatical function.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

29%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decline in importance" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate a reduction in significance or relevance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for neutral to formal contexts, commonly appearing in news, encyclopedias, and scientific writing. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly specifies what is losing importance and avoid exaggeration. Consider related phrases like "decrease in significance" or "loss of prominence" for nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decrease in significance

Emphasizes a reduction in the quality of being important or significant.

reduction in relevance

Highlights a decrease in the degree to which something is pertinent or applicable.

diminishment in value

Focuses on the lessening of worth or usefulness.

loss of prominence

Indicates a fading from a leading or well-known position.

waning influence

Suggests a gradual decrease in the power to affect something.

fading relevance

Highlights the gradual disappearance of something's pertinence.

lessening impact

Emphasizes the reduced effect or influence something has.

descending order of priority

Implies a shift in ranking where something is considered less crucial.

erosion of significance

Suggests a gradual wearing away of importance.

retreating influence

Describes a moving back from a position of power or impact.

FAQs

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

You can use "decline in importance" to describe the diminishing significance of something over time. For example, "The "decline in importance" of handwritten letters is largely due to the rise of email".

What's the difference between "decline in importance" and "decrease in significance"?

While both phrases are similar, "decline in importance" often implies a gradual reduction, whereas "decrease in significance" can refer to a more abrupt change. They are often interchangeable, though choosing one over the other may slightly alter the nuance.

What can I say instead of "decline in importance"?

You can use alternatives like "decrease in significance", "reduction in relevance", or "loss of prominence" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say something has "declined of importance"?

No, the correct phrasing is ""decline in importance"". The preposition "in" is necessary to properly connect the verb "decline" with the noun "importance".