declined by one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "declined by one" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are indicating a decrease or reduction in quantity, value, or status by one unit. Example: "The temperature has declined by one degree since yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Average SAT scores in reading and writing declined by one point this year, while math scores held steady, according to a report on the high school class of 2009 released Tuesday by the College Board.

The New York Times

But the number of students at grade level declined by one percentage point from last year.

The New York Times

Despite the demands of mission in Afghanistan - the first 'hot' ground war fought in NATO history - total European defense spending declined, by one estimate, by nearly 15percentt in the decade following 9/11.

The Washington Post

According to the Internet measurement firm Nielsen/NetRatings, traffic to KaZaA declined by one million unique visitors the week ended July 6, after the announcement by the Recording Industry Association of America.

The New York Times

Online sales during Thanksgiving weekend broke all previous records, garnering more than five billion dollars (up eighteen per cent from last year), according to Adobe data cited in a Bloomberg article, while sales at brick-and-mortar retail stores declined by one per cent.

The New Yorker

Online sales during Thanksgiving weekend broke all previous records, garnering more than five billion dollars (up eighteen per cent from last year), according to Adobe data cited in a Bloomberg article, while sales at brick-and-mortar retail stores declined by one per cent.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The number of people living on the streets has declined by one-quarter since 2005, to about 3,300, according to city officials.

The New York Times

Overall production on the other hand declined by one-third!

Applied Petrochemical Research

Faced with a city whose population had declined by one-fourth over the previous decade, Bing embarked on a dramatic plan to turn Detroit around.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One measure that people have used is the cyclical volatility of the gross national product it declined by one-half in the period from 1983 to 2006 compared to the period from 1955 to 1983.

Forbes

Production declined by one-fifth this year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "declined by one" when precision is needed to indicate a small, specific decrease. It's suitable for reports, analyses, or any context requiring accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "declined by one" when the decrease is significant enough to warrant a more descriptive term. For instance, if something decreased from 100 to 1, stating it "declined by one" would be misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "declined by one" functions as a quantitative descriptor, specifying a precise decrease. Ludwig provides examples where it's used to describe changes in scores, sales, and other measurable metrics. It provides specific and accurate information in different settings.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "declined by one" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that indicates a specific decrease of a single unit. While not overly frequent, as revealed by Ludwig, it finds its niche in news reporting, scientific analyses, and encyclopedic entries where precise quantification is essential. It is most appropriate for formal and neutral settings, as confirmed by Ludwig examples. When using this phrase, ensure the context warrants such precision and avoid it when describing more substantial reductions. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is used for precise reporting and analysis across diverse contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decreased by one

Direct synonym, replacing 'declined' with 'decreased'.

reduced by one

Uses 'reduced' as a synonym for 'declined', indicating a lessening.

fell by one

Replaces 'declined' with 'fell', suggesting a downward movement in quantity or value.

dropped by one

Uses 'dropped' instead of 'declined', implying a sudden decrease.

lessened by one

Replaces 'declined' with 'lessened', indicating a reduction in amount or intensity.

diminished by one

Uses 'diminished' as a more formal synonym for 'declined'.

slipped by one

Replaces 'declined' with 'slipped', suggesting a small and gradual decrease.

contracted by one

Uses 'contracted' instead of 'declined', often used in economic or financial contexts.

receded by one

Replaces 'declined' with 'receded', implying a movement away from a previous level.

shrank by one

Uses 'shrank' instead of 'declined', indicating a reduction in size or amount.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "declined by one"?

You can use alternatives such as "decreased by one", "reduced by one", or "fell by one" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "declined by one" in formal writing?

Yes, "declined by one" is suitable for formal writing when you need to specify a precise and small reduction. However, ensure the context warrants such precision.

What does "declined by one" mean?

The phrase "declined by one" indicates a decrease of exactly one unit. It's used to express a small, specific reduction in a quantity or value.

When should I avoid using "declined by one"?

Avoid using "declined by one" when the decrease is substantial or when a more general term like "significantly decreased" would be more appropriate.