declined by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "declined by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something has been rejected or refused by someone or something. Example: "The proposal was declined by the committee after careful consideration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Manufacturing declined by 12%.

The Economist

Japan's car exports declined by 69%.

The Economist

In Japan, share prices declined by 7.5%.

The Economist

(In fact, it declined by 3.3 percent).

The New York Times

Construction declined by 34,000.

The New York Times

Overall phosphate production declined by the mid-1990s.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But under VP, stock declined by 89%.

The New York Times

Operating income declined by $167 million, to $1.2 billion.

The New York Times

Her revenues declined by 20 percent, she said.

The New York Times

Production declined by one-fifth this year.

The New York Times

There, employment declined by 35,000.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "declined by", ensure the context clearly specifies what is decreasing and the magnitude of the decrease. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming a causal relationship simply because something "declined by" a certain amount. Always provide evidence or context to support any claims about the reasons for the decrease.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "declined by" functions as a verb phrase indicating a decrease or reduction in a specific quantity. It's frequently used to express negative change. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples showcasing this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "declined by" is a versatile and frequently used construction for indicating a reduction or decrease in quantity, value, or another measurable attribute. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts, primarily in news, scientific, and business domains. While generally considered neutral to formal, its usage demands precision, requiring clear specification of the element experiencing decline and the magnitude of said decline. Several alternative phrases exist, such as "decreased by", "reduced by", and "fell by", each carrying slight nuances in meaning and formality. When using "declined by", avoid assumptions of causality without supporting evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Decreased by

This is a direct synonym, interchangeable in many contexts, but might lack the subtle implication of a downward trend.

Reduced by

Similar to "decreased by", but suggests an active effort to lessen the quantity or value.

Fell by

Implies a more sudden or rapid decrease compared to "declined by".

Diminished by

Suggests a gradual reduction, often implying a loss of importance or quality.

Dropped by

Similar to "fell by", emphasizing a quick and noticeable decrease.

Lessened by

Indicates a reduction in degree, intensity, or amount, often used for abstract concepts.

Contracted by

Frequently used in economic contexts to describe a shrinking economy or market.

Slipped by

Implies a small or subtle decrease, often unnoticed or unintentional.

Eroded by

Suggests a gradual wearing away or decline, often over a long period.

Weakened by

Indicates a loss of strength or effectiveness, applicable to both physical and abstract entities.

FAQs

How do I use "declined by" in a sentence?

Use "declined by" to indicate a reduction or decrease in a specific quantity or value. For example, "Sales "declined by" 10% last quarter".

What are some alternatives to "declined by"?

Alternatives include "decreased by", "reduced by", "fell by", or "dropped by", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "declined by" or "fell by"?

"Declined by" is generally considered more formal than "fell by". "Fell by" implies a sudden or rapid decrease and might be more appropriate in informal contexts, whereas "declined by" suggests a gradual decrease, and is appropriate for formal contexts like business and news.

What's the difference between "declined by" and "declined from"?

"Declined by" indicates the amount of decrease, while "declined from" indicates the starting point before the decrease. For example, "Profits "declined by" $1 million" versus "Profits "declined from" $5 million".