declining

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'declining' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which something is reducing or becoming less in amount, size, or importance. Example sentence: The company's profits are declining due to rising costs of production.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The data show that not only is there declining trust in government, there is declining trust in other people"; although it wasn't exclusive to them, this shift was "concentrated among these poor kids, the kids who have been left out," Putnam said.

The Economist

And while the Yale economist Robert Shiller has long advocated using markets to help individuals protect themselves against things like declining house prices or future unemployment, the chances of that happening now seem smaller than ever.

The Economist

The emergence of Ukip as a viable political force is the result of a declining labour market.

The Guardian

Across the wider Whitbread group, third-quarter comparable sales were up 3.3%, with the group's Premier Inn hotel chain making gains against declining revenues in the hotel industry.

The Guardian - Business

Declining non-food sales coupled with growing competition from a resurgent Sainsbury's and discounters like Aldi have been a major drag on performance".

The Guardian - Business

However, declining real wages have made consumers reluctant to borrow, undermining efforts to increase consumer spending.

The Guardian - Business

Most of us, it turns out, still take our husband's surname, but the proportion is declining.

The Guardian - Books

Former UN ambassador John Bolton, a hawk's hawk, played to type, declaring, "we do not accept an America that is weak and declining, we do not accept an American military that is weak and poorly equipped, and in particular, we do not accept an American president who is weak and indecisive and apologetic about our country".

The Guardian

Turnbull revealed he had quickly sent a message to Palmer that he should "man up and apologise" and also called him to deliver the same message "in no uncertain terms" and that when he had been asked to write an opinion piece for a newspaper on the subject, he had asked Credlin's view before declining, because his primary motivation had been to spare her any further pain.

The Guardian

If it's the laws that are unjust, or the actions of authority figures or police, it makes sense to address them with civil disobedience – declining to abide within an unfair system.

The Guardian - Opinion

With the general election less than five months away Murphy will have little time to reverse Labour's declining support north of the border.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a trend, use "declining" to indicate a continuous decrease over time, providing context for the rate and reason for the decrease.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "declining", which means decreasing, with "declining" meaning refusing. The context should make it clear, but double-check your sentence to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The term “declining” primarily functions as a present participle of the verb decline. As highlighted by Ludwig, it can describe ongoing processes of reduction or weakening, effectively modifying nouns to indicate a state of decrease, for example: "declining sales" or "declining influence".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "declining" functions as a versatile term to depict reduction or deterioration, primarily used in neutral contexts like news and business reporting. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. Be mindful of distinguishing it from the verb "to decline", meaning to refuse. For alternatives, consider "decreasing", "reducing", or "diminishing" to enhance clarity and precision in your writing. Leveraging such varied vocabulary helps convey nuanced meanings effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decreasing

Indicates a reduction in quantity or intensity, similar to declining but with a slightly more general application.

reducing

Focuses on the act of making something smaller or less, highlighting the process of diminution.

diminishing

Emphasizes a gradual decrease, often suggesting a fading or weakening over time.

waning

Implies a decrease in power, influence, or prominence, often used in a figurative sense.

shrinking

Specifically refers to a decrease in size or extent, emphasizing physical reduction.

slipping

Suggests a gradual and often unnoticed decline, implying a loss of position or status.

falling

A general term for decreasing or dropping, applicable in various contexts to indicate a reduction.

lessening

Highlights the act of making something less significant or severe, often implying a reduction in impact.

descending

Indicates a downward movement or trend, often used to describe a decline in a figurative sense.

abating

Implies a gradual reduction in intensity or severity, often used to describe a decrease in something negative.

FAQs

How can I use "declining" in a sentence?

You can use "declining" to describe something that is decreasing or becoming less. For example, "The company's profits are declining due to increased competition."

What words can I use instead of "declining"?

You can use alternatives like "decreasing", "reducing", or "diminishing" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "declining" versus "decreasing"?

"Declining" often implies a more gradual or continuous decrease, while "decreasing" is a more general term. Use "declining" when emphasizing a trend over time; use decreasing for any reduction.

Is there a difference between a "declining" market and a "receding" market?

Yes, although they both suggest a downturn, "declining" typically indicates a sustained downward trend, whereas "receding" /s/receding implies that the market is moving away from a previous high point, often hinting at a temporary state.