decline with time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decline with time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gradual decrease or deterioration of something over a period. Example: "The quality of the product tends to decline with time if not properly maintained."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, ED selectivities gradually decline with time.

Polymer

However, at ambient temperatures, the levels of this enzyme decline with time.

Chest

These results imply that detrimental edge effects adjacent to recent clearcuts may decline with time due to successional processes.

Biological Conservation

The MFCs based on these cathodes showed a performance decline with time, most likely due to the loss of the catalyst, catalyst deactivation, or parasitic reactions.

Electrochimica Acta

Large-scale physical models of recharge trenches were conducted in the laboratory to monitor the decline with time of the recharge capacity under controlled conditions.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

With present technology, this could add $10,000 to the cost of new vehicles, although that is expected to decline with time, says Leard.

The Washington Post

The mechanism, correlating the crystallite size growth to the water to hydrogen concentration ratio in the liquid phase, has been used to describe the activity decline with time on stream.

Catalysis Today

These stemflow fluxes may decrease as a given tree species ages due to changes in branch orientation and bark roughness, suggesting that the relative contribution of stemflow to water recharge near the bole will decline with time.

Journal of Hydrology

Extensive grazing led to slow but continual changes in composition, with some increase in diversity compared to intensive grazing and a broad indication that productivity did not decline with time.

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

By contrast, real home prices should decline with time, except to the extent that households shell out some money and plow back some of their incomes into maintenance and improvements, because homes wear out and go out of style.

The New York Times

In one example of how this could work, Dr Chris Tisdell told Computer World Australia that he tries to "post [his videos] as soon as possible after the lecture, as students probably see the value of course materials decline with time".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends, quantify the rate of decline to provide specific context. Instead of saying "performance declines with time", specify "performance declines by 10% annually".

Common error

Be careful not to assume causation simply because something declines with time. A decline may be correlated with time but not necessarily caused by it; look for underlying factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decline with time" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process of gradual reduction or deterioration over a period. Ludwig confirms this through numerous examples demonstrating its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

74%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decline with time" is a versatile phrase used to describe a gradual reduction or deterioration over a period. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various domains, particularly in scientific and news contexts. While often implying a negative trend, the phrase can be neutral depending on the context. When using "decline with time", consider quantifying the rate of change for clarity and avoiding assumptions of direct causation. Alternatives such as "decrease over time" or "diminish as time passes" can provide subtle variations in meaning. Overall, the phrase is a valuable tool for effectively conveying trends of gradual decrease.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decrease over time

This alternative uses a more general term, "decrease", instead of "decline", maintaining the core meaning of reduction.

diminish as time passes

This phrase replaces "decline" with "diminish" and rephrases "with time" to "as time passes", providing a slightly more descriptive alternative.

deteriorate over the period

This suggests a worsening condition, replacing "decline" with "deteriorate", adding a negative connotation.

wane with the passage of time

This option uses more figurative language, with "wane" implying a gradual decrease and "the passage of time" replacing "with time".

fade as time elapses

This phrase uses "fade" suggesting a loss of intensity or clarity, and "as time elapses" instead of "with time".

reduce gradually over a period

This alternative uses "reduce" instead of "decline" and adds "gradually" for emphasis, offering a clearer description of the rate of change.

weaken as time goes on

This option uses "weaken" suggesting a loss of strength and is a less formal alternative.

ebb with the flow of time

This presents a more metaphorical option, with "ebb" suggesting a receding or diminishing effect.

lapse with increasing duration

This replaces "decline" with "lapse", giving it a sense of invalidity.

degenerate as years advance

This phrases indicates a decline into decay as years increase.

FAQs

How can I use "decline with time" in a sentence?

You can use "decline with time" to describe a gradual decrease or deterioration of something over a period. For example, "The effectiveness of the medicine may "decline with time"".

What are some alternatives to "decline with time"?

Alternatives include "decrease over time", "diminish as time passes", or "deteriorate over the period" depending on the context.

Is it always negative when something "declines with time"?

While "decline" often implies a negative trend, it can also be neutral depending on the context. For instance, "The urgency of the situation may "decline with time" as more information becomes available" isn't necessarily negative.

What's the difference between "decline with time" and "decrease with time"?

While similar, "decline" can suggest a more gradual or subtle reduction, whereas "decrease with time" may imply a more direct or measurable reduction. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.