declined over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "declined over" is not standard in written English and may lead to confusion.
It could be used in contexts discussing a decrease or reduction in something over a period of time, but it is not commonly used. Example: "The company's profits have declined over the last three years due to increased competition."

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The percentage of study participants who reported risky sex behaviors declined over time.

Global health, science and practice

But its cachet declined over the years.

The New York Times - Travel

Political and social trust have indeed declined over time.

The Economist

And for American men, mobility has declined over time.

The New York Times

Regarding butterflies, 72% have declined over the last 10 years.

The Guardian - Opinion

Undoubtedly attendance has dramatically declined over the years.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In every case, the critical photoperiod had declined over time.

The New Yorker

Mercury concentrations marginally declined over the same period.

Environmental Systems Research

Chagas disease incidence has sharply declined over the last decade.

Acta Tropica

Thalpomys lasiotis declined over the six years of the study.

Mammalian Biology - Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde

Lymphoproliferative responses to mitogens declined over time in both genders.

Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity and impact, consider using more common alternatives like "decreased over" or "diminished over" to ensure your writing is easily understood and widely accepted.

Common error

While grammatically correct, relying heavily on "declined over" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your vocabulary by using alternatives like "decreased over" or "diminished over" to maintain reader engagement and enhance the overall quality of your prose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "declined over" primarily functions as a verbal phrase indicating a process or state of reduction over a period. Ludwig identifies its use in describing trends or changes that occur gradually. It combines a verb ("declined") with a preposition ("over") to specify the timeframe of the decline.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

29%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically correct, the phrase "declined over" is not the most standard option; according to Ludwig, it is not the most widely used in written English. It's more common and easily understood to opt for alternatives like "decreased over" or "diminished over". "Declined over" functions primarily to describe a reduction that occurs over time, appearing in scientific, news and business contexts. Its frequency is very common. While acceptable, writers should be aware of its slight awkwardness and prefer alternatives, especially in formal writing. Ludwig also notes that varying word choice prevents writing from sounding repetitive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decreased over

Uses a more common synonym for "declined", maintaining the temporal aspect.

diminished over

Emphasizes a gradual reduction, similar to "declined", but with a slightly different nuance.

reduced over

Focuses on the act of making something smaller over a period.

lessened over

Indicates a reduction in intensity or degree over time.

waned over

Suggests a gradual decrease in power, influence, or extent over time.

fallen gradually

Highlights a slow and continuous drop.

dropped steadily

Implies a consistent and downward trend.

regressed throughout

Indicates a return to a former or less developed state over a period.

deteriorated during

Suggests a worsening condition or quality over a given time.

ebbed away during

Implies a slow, weakening decrease over a duration.

FAQs

What does "declined over" mean?

The phrase "declined over" signifies a decrease or reduction that has occurred gradually across a specified duration. It indicates that something has diminished or lessened in quantity, quality, or intensity as time passed.

What are some alternatives to "declined over"?

You can use phrases like "decreased over", "diminished over", or "reduced over" to convey a similar meaning. The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "declined over" grammatically correct?

Yes, "declined over" is grammatically correct, but it's not considered the most standard or elegant phrasing. Alternatives like "decreased over" are generally preferred in formal writing.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "declined over"?

"Declined over" can be used in various contexts, including scientific reports, news articles, and business documents. However, due to its somewhat less common usage, it may be beneficial to opt for alternatives in more formal settings for enhanced clarity and acceptance.