decline significantly

USAGE SUMMARY

"decline significantly" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to decrease or diminish greatly in amount, number, or value. You can use it to describe a significant decrease or decline in any situation, such as in economics, health, population, etc. Example: The stock market has been experiencing a decline significantly due to the current economic crisis.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Many provinces will see food production decline significantly.

The Guardian

First-quarter G.D.P. is likely to decline significantly again.

The New York Times

But they expect it to decline significantly if Pakistan ends all covert support.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, Mr. Paulsen sees little likelihood that the dollar will decline significantly soon.

The New York Times

"Inflation appears set to decline significantly over the next year toward levels consistent with price stability".

The New York Times

Poverty levels would decline significantly if people would refrain from having more children than they can reasonably expect to support.

The New York Times

"When corporate employers' cash flow begins to decline significantly, the plans will be in serious trouble," Mr. Goldsmith said.

The New York Times

He said there was almost "zero chance" that a money market fund would decline significantly in value.

The New York Times

If investors do not get what they are hoping for, it could decline significantly.

The New York Times

The slow-twitch muscles needed in endurance sports do not decline significantly until athletes reach their late 30s or early 40s, she said.

The New York Times - Sports

But that acceleration will probably not show up until at least midyear, he said, and unemployment is not likely to decline significantly before the end of this year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Quantify the "significant" decline with specific numbers or percentages whenever possible. This adds precision and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "decline significantly" when the decrease is minimal or inconsequential. Ensure the decline is truly substantial to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decline significantly" functions as a verb phrase, where "decline" is the main verb and "significantly" is an adverb modifying it. It describes the action of something decreasing to a considerable extent. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decline significantly" is a versatile and frequently used expression that indicates a substantial decrease or reduction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, including news, science, and business. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, be sure to provide sufficient context and, if possible, quantify the decline to enhance clarity and impact. Alternatives such as "decrease substantially" or "drop sharply" can be used for variety, depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Decrease substantially

Replaces "decline" with "decrease" and "significantly" with "substantially", offering a slight variation in wording while maintaining the same intensity.

Diminish considerably

Substitutes "decline" with "diminish" and "significantly" with "considerably", providing a more formal tone.

Drop sharply

Replaces "decline significantly" with a more concise and impactful phrase, indicating a sudden and significant reduction.

Fall markedly

Replaces "decline" with "fall" and "significantly" with "markedly", changing the specific vocabulary while retaining similar connotations.

Reduce drastically

Replaces "decline" with "reduce" and "significantly" with "drastically", implying a more forceful and sudden decrease.

Deteriorate substantially

Employs "deteriorate" instead of "decline", suggesting a decline in quality or condition, rather than just quantity.

Contract notably

Uses "contract" which is often used in business or economic context, replacing the word "decline" and uses the adverb "notably".

Plummet dramatically

Replaces "decline significantly" with a more figurative and emphatic phrase, suggesting a rapid and steep drop.

Subside considerably

Replaces "decline" with "subside" which suggests a decrease after a period of increase.

Ebb substantially

Uses "ebb" which suggest a gradual decline, especially in something abstract or non-countable.

FAQs

What does "decline significantly" mean?

The phrase "decline significantly" means to decrease or diminish to a noteworthy extent. It implies a considerable reduction in quantity, quality, or intensity.

What can I say instead of "decline significantly"?

You can use alternatives like "decrease substantially", "diminish considerably", or "drop sharply" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "decline significantly" or "decrease significantly"?

Both "decline significantly" and "decrease significantly" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on the specific context and desired tone. "Decline" can sometimes imply a more gradual or natural reduction.

How do I use "decline significantly" in a sentence?

You can use "decline significantly" to describe a notable reduction in something. For example: "The company's profits "decline significantly" due to increased competition."