declined over time

USAGE SUMMARY

'declined over time' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that something has decreased in amount or value in a period of time. For example, "The population of the city has declined over time as more people move away to less populated areas."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

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

Data suggest that the retention of knowledge and skills about first aid declined over time.

BMC Pediatrics

The desired fertility declined over time.

Princeton University

Lymphoproliferative responses to mitogens declined over time in both genders.

Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology

Political and social trust have indeed declined over time.

The Economist

And for American men, mobility has declined over time.

The New York Times

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

The New Yorker

And Florida centers' compliance with the ratios declined over time.

The New York Times

Households used the stoves irregularly and inappropriately, failed to maintain them, and usage declined over time.

Harvard University

This study was designed to determine whether the incidence of coronary disease has declined over time.

The American Journal of Medicine

Our analysis indicates that artiodactyls declined over time in relation to lagomorphs.

Journal of Archaeological Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "declined over time", specify the metric or subject that experienced the decrease to provide clear context. For example, "Customer satisfaction declined over time due to poor service."

Common error

Avoid assuming that time itself is the cause of the decline. Instead, identify and state the factors that contributed to the decrease. For example, instead of saying "Sales declined over time", specify "Sales declined over time due to increased competition and changing market trends."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "declined over time" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process of diminishing or decreasing. It typically modifies a noun or subject, describing how it has lessened or deteriorated across a duration. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

15%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "declined over time" is a verb phrase used to describe a reduction or decrease that has occurred across a period. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and widely used, as demonstrated by its frequent appearance in scientific, news, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure to specify what has declined and, if possible, the reasons behind the decline to provide a comprehensive understanding. Alternatives include "decreased gradually", "diminished with time", and "lessened over the years". Remember to avoid assuming that time itself is the cause of the decline; instead, identify the actual factors involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Decreased gradually

Focuses on the gradual nature of the reduction.

Diminished with time

Emphasizes a reduction in size, importance, or intensity over a period.

Lessened over the years

Highlights a decrease happening across multiple years.

Reduced progressively

Stresses the incremental and continuous aspect of the decrease.

Deteriorated steadily

Suggests a gradual worsening or decay over time.

Eroded with time

Implies a wearing away or gradual destruction over a duration.

Waned with the passage of time

Emphasizes a fading or diminishing in power, intensity, or extent as time passes.

Subsided gradually

Indicates a slow calming down or decrease in intensity over a period.

Faded progressively

Highlights a gradual loss of color, brightness, or strength.

Slumped over the period

Indicates a sudden or gradual fall in price, value, or amount during a specific duration.

FAQs

How can I use "declined over time" in a sentence?

You can use "declined over time" to describe a reduction or decrease in something across a period. For instance, "The quality of their products has "declined over time"."

What are some alternatives to "declined over time"?

Some alternatives include "decreased gradually", "diminished with time", or "lessened over the years", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "declined over time" or "decreased over time"?

Both "declined over time" and "decreased over time" are acceptable. "Declined" often implies a gradual and sometimes negative change, while "decreased" is a more neutral term for reduction. Choose the word that best fits the context.

What factors might cause something to have "declined over time"?

Various factors can cause something to have "declined over time", such as changing market conditions, increased competition, reduced investment, or evolving customer preferences. Identifying these factors can provide a more complete understanding of the situation.