decline steadily

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decline steadily" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gradual decrease in quantity, quality, or intensity over time. Example: "The company's profits began to decline steadily after the new competitor entered the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Meanwhile White Plains, lacking a catalyst like Swiss Bank, saw its tax base decline steadily.

The New York Times

Over time they will, in direct consequence, decline steadily in real terms.

The Guardian

The first requirement is that the unemployment rate be allowed to decline steadily to 4.8 percent.

The Economist

The resulting figure should decline steadily; if it doesn't, consider early disposal.

The Guardian - Money

Serum DHEAS concentrations peak at around age 25 years and then decline steadily over the following decades.

Clinica Chimica Acta

He did say, however, that he expected the company's losses as a percent of sales to decline steadily.

The New York Times

If pulsars are responsible, theory predicts that the positron fraction should decline steadily at energies above this value.

The Economist

For those with incomes below $120,000, the family contribution percentage will decline steadily from 10percentt, reaching zero for those with incomes at $60,000 and below.

Harvard University

But Canadian imports are slowing, too, with some analysts expecting them to decline steadily in the next decade as demand grows at home.

The New York Times

Giving a second vaccination might become more attractive if immunity to chickenpox is shown to decline steadily as vaccinated children become adults.

The New York Times - Health

And because the military does not need as many bodies as it once did, the number of veterans is expected to decline steadily, to 938,000 in 2015.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "decline steadily", ensure the context clearly establishes the starting point and the period over which the decline occurs. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "decline steadily" when the decrease is not consistent or gradual. If the decline fluctuates or occurs in sudden drops, consider using phrases like "decline erratically" or "decrease sharply at times" to reflect the true nature of the change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decline steadily" functions as a verb phrase, where "decline" is the main verb indicating a decrease and "steadily" is an adverb modifying the verb, specifying the manner of decline. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes a gradual and consistent reduction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decline steadily" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a gradual and consistent decrease over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and appropriate across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While alternatives like "decrease gradually" and "fall progressively" exist, "decline steadily" offers a clear and versatile way to convey a downward trend. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly establishes the starting point and the period of decline, while avoiding its use if the decrease is not consistent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Decrease gradually

Replaces "decline" with "decrease", maintaining the sense of a slow reduction.

Fall progressively

Uses "fall" instead of "decline" and "progressively" instead of "steadily", emphasizing a continuous downward movement.

Diminish incrementally

Substitutes "decline" with "diminish" and "steadily" with "incrementally", highlighting a gradual reduction in small steps.

Erode continuously

Replaces "decline" with "erode", suggesting a wearing away over time, and "steadily" with "continuously".

Deteriorate gradually

Uses "deteriorate" instead of "decline", indicating a worsening condition over time, combined with "gradually".

Drop consistently

Replaces "decline" with "drop" and "steadily" with "consistently", conveying a uniform decrease.

Recede slowly

Substitutes "decline" with "recede", suggesting a gradual moving back or away.

Wane steadily

Replaces "decline" with "wane", indicating a decrease in power or influence.

Lessen gradually

Uses "lessen" instead of "decline", indicating a reduction in amount or intensity.

Subside continuously

Substitutes "decline" with "subside", suggesting a sinking or lessening of intensity, combined with "continuously".

FAQs

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

Use "decline steadily" to describe a gradual and consistent decrease over time. For example, "The company's profits began to decline steadily after the new competitor entered the market."

What are some alternatives to "decline steadily"?

You can use alternatives like "decrease gradually", "fall progressively", or "diminish incrementally" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "decline steadily" in formal writing?

Yes, "decline steadily" is suitable for formal writing as it is grammatically correct and widely used in academic, business, and news contexts.

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

"Decline steadily" indicates a gradual and consistent decrease, while "decline sharply" suggests a sudden and rapid drop. The choice depends on the nature of the decrease you are describing.