declined gradually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "declined gradually" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a slow or incremental decrease in something, such as numbers, quality, or interest over time. Example: "The company's profits declined gradually over the last three years due to increased competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The number of older people living in poverty has declined gradually over than last 50 years.

Cornell University

After Buscón the picaresque novel in Spain declined gradually into the novel of adventure.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Infarct size and LV mass decreased ≥30% in each group at 6 months and declined gradually to 2 years.

Stanford University

LH concentration was found to be significantly (P < 0.01) greater around estrus and it declined gradually (P < 0.01) following estrus.

General and Comparative Endocrinology

Severe pain (27.6%, 13.8%, 3.4%) and consumption of analgesics (76%, 41%, 17%) declined gradually over the first 3 PODs.

American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

This index had also declined gradually in the first seven months of the year, from 83.4 in January.

The New York Times

Improving the team's on-base percentage -- which has declined gradually since 1998 -- is a goal of this off-season.

The New York Times - Sports

Results indicated that total weed density and biomass was maximum in the first year, and declined gradually in third and fourth years.

Field Crops Research

It then declined gradually to 17.8 pg/ml at 2 h, 2.8 pg/ml at 4 h and to <1 pg/ml at 5 h.

European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology

The membrane flux declined gradually after each daily intermission until the 5th ± 1 day, then a small increase in flux was observed.

Journal of Membrane Science

The enzyme activity declined gradually with more cycles.

Bioresources and Bioprocessing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends or data, use "declined gradually" to clearly indicate a steady decrease over a period. This avoids ambiguity compared to saying it simply "declined".

Common error

Be careful not to use "declined gradually" when the decrease was sharp or sudden. Reserve it for situations where the change was indeed slow and incremental to maintain accuracy in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "declined gradually" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to specify the manner in which something decreased. Ludwig AI examples show it commonly describes a slow and continuous reduction over time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

63%

News & Media

13%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "declined gradually" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a slow and steady decrease. Ludwig AI examples reveal its frequent use in scientific, news, and academic contexts. Its primary function is to provide a precise description of change, emphasizing the incremental nature of the reduction. Alternatives such as "decreased slowly" or "diminished over time" offer similar meanings, though with slightly different nuances. When using this phrase, ensure the decline was indeed slow and incremental to maintain accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decreased slowly

Replaces "declined" with a more general term for reduction and "gradually" with "slowly", keeping the meaning virtually unchanged.

diminished over time

Emphasizes the reduction happening across a period, slightly altering the focus from the process to the result.

receded steadily

Implies a more visual or spatial sense of reduction, as if something is moving back or away.

waned progressively

Suggests a fading or weakening, often used for less tangible things like influence or power.

eased off gradually

More informal, suggesting a reduction in pressure or intensity over time.

attenuated slowly

A more technical term, often used in scientific contexts to describe a gradual reduction in signal or force.

tapered off slowly

Suggests a reduction that narrows or becomes less pronounced towards the end.

fell incrementally

Focuses on the step-by-step nature of the reduction.

subsided gradually

Implies a calming down or settling, often used for things like emotions or swelling.

lessened by degrees

Highlights the incremental nature of the decrease, emphasizing each small step.

FAQs

How can I use "declined gradually" in a sentence?

You can use "declined gradually" to describe a slow and steady decrease over time. For example: "The company's profits "declined gradually" over the last quarter."

What are some alternatives to "declined gradually"?

Alternatives include "decreased slowly", "diminished over time", or "receded steadily", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "declined gradually" or "decreased gradually"?

Both "declined gradually" and "decreased gradually" are correct and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific tone you want to create. "Declined" might suggest a slightly more negative or formal connotation compared to "decreased".

What's the difference between "declined gradually" and "declined sharply"?

"Declined gradually" indicates a slow and steady decrease, while "declined sharply" suggests a sudden and rapid decrease. The choice between them depends on the actual trend you are describing.