declining performance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "declining performance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone's or something's effectiveness or efficiency is decreasing over time. Example: "The company's declining performance over the last quarter has raised concerns among investors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The major surprise was G.M.'s declining performance in Asia.

The New York Times

The ban was aimed at stopping a sharp rise in withdrawals after a declining performance.

The New York Times

Poundland blamed the long regulatory process for the declining performance of 99p Stores before the acquisition.

The Guardian - Business

Declining performance on key NHS waiting times, such as at A&E and for cancer treatment?

The Guardian

Qualifiers like age, declining performance and injury history are increasingly necessary when describing the Yankees.

The New York Times - Sports

Romero said insecticide companies should be "vigilant for hints of declining performance of products that contain neonicotinoids".

The Guardian

The Yankees' general manager, Brian Cashman, fired back by saying he was concerned about Jeter's age and declining performance.

The New York Times - Sports

O'Dowd also believed that by signing Tulowitzki now, he would reduce the risk of paying premium prices for declining performance.

The New York Times - Sports

But it helps us understand that declining performance by a portfolio manager who gets large inflows of cash does not necessarily mean that he's an inferior stock picker.

The New York Times

The Coalition says: "While Bill Shorten has promised more money for schools, Labor is ignoring the decades of significant funding growth yet declining performance".

The Guardian

He may prefer, however, that this is not about the whimper of declining performance and stretched budgets, and instead about the thwarted big bang of his reforming ambitions.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "declining performance", be specific about the metrics or areas where the decline is evident. Provide quantifiable data or clear examples to support your statement. This strengthens the credibility of your analysis.

Common error

Avoid attributing "declining performance" to a single cause without thorough investigation. Performance issues are often multifaceted, resulting from a combination of factors. Consider economic conditions, internal management, and external competition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "declining performance" functions as a noun phrase, where "declining" acts as a present participle adjective modifying the noun "performance". This phrase is used to describe a negative trend or reduction in the quality, effectiveness, or output of something, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

35%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "declining performance" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase to describe a decrease in effectiveness or quality. According to Ludwig, it functions as a noun phrase, typically used for informing, assessing, or expressing concern about negative trends. The phrase is versatile, appearing in news reports, scientific papers, and business documents. While synonyms like "deteriorating performance" or "decreasing effectiveness" exist, it's crucial to provide specific metrics when discussing performance declines, avoiding overly simplistic explanations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deteriorating performance

Replaces "declining" with "deteriorating", emphasizing a gradual worsening of performance.

decreasing effectiveness

Focuses on the reduction in how effective something is, rather than overall performance.

failing performance

Indicates a more severe drop in performance, implying failure or near failure.

waning performance

Suggests a gradual decrease in strength or intensity of performance.

slipping performance

Implies a gradual and unintended decline in performance.

weakening performance

Highlights the weakening aspect of the performance, suggesting reduced strength or capacity.

diminishing returns

Focuses on the decreasing benefit or output from an effort or investment.

reduced efficiency

Specifically addresses the decline in efficiency, or the ability to avoid wasting materials, energy, efforts, money, and time in doing something or in producing a desired result.

sagging performance

Suggests a drooping or sinking quality of performance.

descending trajectory

Uses a more metaphorical and visual term to describe a downward trend in performance.

FAQs

How can I use "declining performance" in a sentence?

You can use "declining performance" to describe a decrease in effectiveness or quality over time. For example, "The company's "declining performance" led to concerns among investors.".

What are some alternatives to "declining performance"?

Alternatives include "deteriorating performance", "decreasing effectiveness", or "failing performance" depending on the specific context and severity of the decline.

Is it correct to say "a declining performance"?

While grammatically possible, it's more common and natural to use "declining performance" without the indefinite article "a". The phrase typically refers to a general trend rather than a singular instance.

What factors can contribute to "declining performance"?

Various factors can contribute to "declining performance", including poor management, lack of resources, changing market conditions, increased competition, and outdated technology.