declined substantially

USAGE SUMMARY

"declined substantially" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a substantial decrease in something. For example: "The company's profits declined substantially during the recession."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Over the last 40 years smoking has declined substantially.

The Guardian

After years of strong growth in coal use, the rate of growth has declined substantially".

The Guardian

At the same time, by all accounts, the number of closings has declined substantially.

The New York Times

Although Time's circulation has declined substantially, the drop off isn't as big as some people think.

The New Yorker

If restrictions were introduced too late or lifted too early, success rates declined substantially.

The New York Times - Health

Incidence of hepatitis C, for which there is no vaccine, has also declined substantially.

The New York Times - Health

By the time trading was over yesterday, the value of the deal had declined substantially.

The New York Times

Wages have declined substantially as a share of GDP growth over the last two decades.

The Guardian

While welfare caseloads have declined substantially since 1996, there is room for improvement, Mr. Boehner said.

The New York Times

During that period, Smeal noted, women's admissions to law schools declined substantially.

The New York Times - Sports

Indeed, emissions of the major pollutants addressed by the act have declined substantially.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "declined substantially" when you want to emphasize that the decrease is significant and not merely a slight fluctuation. It works well in both formal and informal writing.

Common error

While acceptable in most settings, avoid using "declined substantially" excessively in very casual conversations. Simpler words like "dropped" or "decreased" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "declined substantially" primarily functions as a verb phrase, modifying a noun and indicating a significant reduction. Ludwig AI validates that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "declined substantially" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a significant decrease. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. It is most common in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. While versatile, it is best suited for formal or neutral registers. Related phrases include "decreased considerably" and "fallen sharply". When writing, use it to emphasize notable reductions and avoid overuse in very informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decreased considerably

Emphasizes the extent of the decrease, similar to 'substantially'.

decreased significantly

Highlights the statistical importance or impact of the decrease.

fallen sharply

Suggests a rapid and noticeable decline.

dropped considerably

Implies a notable reduction, similar in magnitude to 'substantially'.

reduced significantly

Focuses on the act of reducing and its measurable impact.

diminished greatly

Highlights a considerable lessening or weakening.

lessened considerably

Emphasizes the reduction in amount or intensity.

contracted noticeably

Suggests a reduction in size or scope that is easily observed.

receded markedly

Indicates a clear and distinct decline, often in a more formal context.

plummeted significantly

Highlights a steep and dramatic fall.

FAQs

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

You can use "declined substantially" to indicate a significant reduction or decrease, as in "The company's profits "declined substantially" this quarter" or "The number of smokers has "declined substantially" in recent years".

What are some alternatives to "declined substantially"?

Alternatives include "decreased considerably", "fallen sharply", or "reduced significantly". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "declined substantially" or "decreased substantially"?

Both "declined substantially" and "decreased substantially" are correct and have similar meanings. The choice often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations. "Declined" might imply a more gradual or natural reduction.

In what contexts is "declined substantially" most appropriate?

"Declined substantially" is suitable for formal reports, news articles, and academic papers where you need to emphasize a significant decrease. It works well when presenting data or discussing trends.