decline steeply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decline steeply" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a significant decrease or drop in something, such as a stock market trend, a person's health, or a company's profits. Example: "The company's profits declined steeply in the fourth quarter, causing concern among investors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

But when business began to decline steeply, her father made a deal with the union.

The New York Times

If fish stocks are exploited straight away, they will decline steeply, taking the economy with them.

The Guardian

However, in Liberia and Sierra Leone, the number of new cases began to decline steeply.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Industrial production, housing starts and employment have continued to decline steeply, as consumers and businesses have cut back spending.

The New York Times

Once people have claimed sickness-related benefits for more than a year, their chances of going back to work decline steeply.

The Guardian

With Japan's population projected to decline steeply over the next decades, the failure to secure a steady work force could harm the nation's long-term economic competitiveness.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Agricultural incomes had declined steeply.

The Economist

Financial stocks in particular declined steeply, more than 3 percent.

The New York Times

After about 2015, the dotted curve declines steeply.

The Guardian

As you can see, however, more recently the yen has declined steeply.

The New York Times

Production from shale-gas wells declines steeply – to maintain production new wells must be drilled continually.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends or data, use "decline steeply" to convey a rapid and significant decrease. Ensure the context supports the intensity of the decline being described.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something "declined steeply" without providing specific figures or data to illustrate the extent of the decrease. Providing context and data enhances the impact and credibility of the statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decline steeply" primarily functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe a rapid and significant decrease in something. As shown in Ludwig, it highlights the sharp downward trend.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decline steeply" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe a rapid and significant decrease. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse fields like news, science, and encyclopedias. While several alternatives exist, such as "decrease sharply" or "fall dramatically", "decline steeply" effectively conveys a sense of urgency and severity. When using this phrase, remember to quantify the decrease to enhance credibility. Ludwig examples underscore the phrase's widespread applicability and its ability to clearly communicate substantial reductions in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decrease sharply

Emphasizes the reduction in amount or degree. Slightly more formal.

fall dramatically

Highlights the sudden and significant nature of the decrease.

drop precipitously

Implies a very rapid and steep decline, potentially unexpected.

plummet sharply

Suggests a rapid and forceful downward movement.

slide steeply

Suggests a gradual but consistent decline.

descend rapidly

Focuses on the downward trajectory and speed.

recede quickly

Suggests a withdrawal or retreat, applicable in specific contexts.

diminish significantly

Emphasizes the substantial reduction in size or importance.

wane rapidly

Implies a fading or weakening at a quick pace.

tumble drastically

Suggests a loss of stability and a sudden decline.

FAQs

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

You can use "decline steeply" to describe a rapid decrease in something. For example: "The company's profits "decline steeply" due to increased competition."

What can I say instead of "decline steeply"?

You can use alternatives like "decrease sharply", "fall dramatically", or "drop precipitously" depending on the context.

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

While both indicate a decrease, ""decline steeply"" suggests a more rapid and pronounced decrease than "decline significantly". Choose the phrase that best reflects the magnitude of the change you're describing.

What's the difference between "decline steeply" and "drop suddenly"?

"Decline steeply" implies a rapid but potentially sustained decrease, while "drop suddenly" emphasizes the abruptness of the fall without necessarily implying a continued downward trend. They are not perfectly interchangeable.