decline slowly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decline slowly" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adverbial phrase that describes how something is declining, or decreasing, in a gradual or steady manner. You can use "decline slowly" in a sentence to describe the speed or rate of something decreasing. For example: - The company's profits have been declining slowly over the past year. - He watched the sun slowly decline below the horizon. - As she got older, her health began to decline slowly. - We can see that the population of this species is declining slowly due to habitat loss. - The popularity of traditional media seems to be declining slowly as more people turn to digital sources for news and entertainment.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Even with a stronger economy, steep unemployment will decline slowly.

The Washington Post

The HRC-I gain continues to decline slowly (typically ≤5% per year).

Harvard University

But she added that they would probably decline slowly over the next four years.

The New York Times

Some predict it could rise to 11percentt by summer 2010 before starting to decline slowly.

The New York Times

Princeton has succeeded in attracting more qualified applicants, although the percentage of those matriculating has continued to decline slowly as it has at Harvard and Yale.

Princeton University

It won't be enough for emissions in the United States and other major economies to flatline or decline slowly in the years ahead.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Smoking has declined slowly in the West.

The New York Times

Lately, the proportion of distressed sales has been declining slowly and so has the discount.

The New York Times

Urban population density in all industrialised countries declines slowly as you move away from the centre.

The Economist

Mongolia's rate of natural increase reached a peak in the 1960s and declined slowly thereafter.

Britannica

In consequence, atmospheric equivalent chlorine peaked in 1993 and has been declining slowly since then.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends or changes over time, use "decline slowly" to convey a gradual and sustained decrease, avoiding sudden or abrupt shifts in language.

Common error

While "decline slowly" is versatile, avoid using it repetitively without considering more precise alternatives like "decrease gradually", "diminish steadily", or "recede gradually" to better reflect the nuanced nature of the decline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decline slowly" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which something is decreasing or diminishing. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability. The examples show it describing trends in economics, health, and environmental conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

29%

News & Media

28%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decline slowly" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial phrase that describes a gradual decrease or deterioration. According to Ludwig, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, ranging from describing economic trends to health conditions. The analysis reveals that it is frequently used in science and news media, with a neutral register appropriate for both formal and informal communication. While versatile, it's crucial to consider context-specific alternatives for more nuanced descriptions. Ludwig AI’s analysis confirms its validity and usability, making it a reliable choice for expressing gradual decline.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decrease gradually

Emphasizes a gradual reduction, focusing on the diminishing quantity or degree.

diminish steadily

Highlights the consistent and unwavering nature of the decrease.

recede gradually

Suggests a retreat or withdrawal that happens over time.

wane slowly

Implies a gradual decrease in power, intensity, or influence.

deteriorate gradually

Focuses on the progressive worsening or decay of something.

fall off gradually

Indicates a gradual decrease, often in quantity or performance.

drop off slowly

Similar to 'fall off gradually', emphasizing a slow reduction in number or amount.

fade slowly

Suggests a gradual loss of visibility, color, or intensity.

slump gradually

Implies a slow decline in activity, performance, or condition.

lose ground steadily

Indicates a consistent decline in position, influence, or advantage.

FAQs

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

You can use "decline slowly" to describe a gradual decrease or reduction. For example, "The company's profits began to decline slowly after the new regulations were implemented." or "The patient's health declined slowly over several years.".

What are some alternatives to "decline slowly"?

Alternatives include "decrease gradually", "diminish steadily", or "recede gradually". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more accurate to say "decline slowly" or "decline rapidly"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they describe opposite trends. "Decline slowly" indicates a gradual decrease, while "decline rapidly" indicates a sudden and sharp decrease. The appropriate phrase depends on the actual rate of decline you are describing.

What's the difference between "decline slowly" and "decline steadily"?

"Decline slowly" emphasizes the pace of the decrease, indicating it happens gradually. "Decline steadily" emphasizes the consistency of the decrease, suggesting it happens continuously without significant fluctuations. They are similar, but "decline steadily" focuses on consistent progression, while "decline slowly" focuses on the rate.