descend rapidly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "descend rapidly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is falling or moving downwards quickly, often in a physical or metaphorical context. Example: "The temperature began to descend rapidly as the sun set behind the mountains."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Surmounting the Shire Highlands, they descend rapidly in the east to the Lake Chilwa Phalombe plain.

Britannica

But our own personal genetic endowments are discoverable only at high cost, though the price is likely to descend rapidly.

The New York Times

The atmosphere will become thick with hate; at this point it can descend rapidly into colossal violence.

The Guardian

Pilots were instructed to ascend and descend rapidly over the ocean, and to avoid flying at low altitudes over the warrens of the city.

The New York Times - Magazine

The highlands descend rapidly to a wide plain that is separated from the northeastern coast by a belt of swamps as much as 150 miles (240 km) wide.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Moreover, the velocity of flow out of the well cannot descend rapidly to zero, thus the analytical solution of Jacob and Lohman type curve for the artesian test will not be applicable.

Journal of Hydrology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The aircraft climbed to 1,500ft before it "pitched nose-down and descended rapidly".

The Times

According to FlightRadar24, an authoritative flight tracking service based in Sweden, it descended rapidly at about 1,800 metres a minute.

The Guardian

Witnesses spoke of hearing the helicopter's engine spluttering as the aircraft descended rapidly on to the pub's roof.

Independent

According to FlightRadar24, the aircraft was descending rapidly at about 6,000  feet per minute before the signal was lost.

Independent

Time might be on the side of the Turnbull government, it is not on the side of Indigenous Australians descending rapidly into deeper and deeper poverty.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "descend rapidly" when you want to emphasize both the downward motion and the speed of that motion. This phrase is suitable for describing physical movements, declines in data, or metaphorical downfalls.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "descend rapidly" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "drop quickly" or "fall fast" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "descend rapidly" functions as a verb phrase, where "descend" is the main verb indicating downward movement, and "rapidly" is an adverb modifying the verb, emphasizing the speed of the descent. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "descend rapidly" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a fast downward movement or decline. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for a variety of contexts, though it might sound overly formal in casual conversations. Consider alternatives like "drop quickly" or "fall swiftly" in less formal settings. The phrase appears frequently in news, encyclopedias, and scientific writing, with authoritative sources such as The Guardian and The New York Times using it regularly. When emphasizing both the downward motion and the speed, "descend rapidly" remains a strong and versatile choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plummet quickly

Replaces "descend" with "plummet", implying a steep and fast drop.

drop sharply

Substitutes "descend" with "drop" and "rapidly" with "sharply", indicating a sudden and significant decrease.

fall swiftly

Employs "fall" in place of "descend" and "swiftly" instead of "rapidly", suggesting a fast and smooth downward movement.

decline steeply

Uses "decline" to replace "descend", indicating a downward trend or slope, and "steeply" to emphasize the quickness of the decline.

plunge downwards

Replaces "descend rapidly" with "plunge downwards", giving an idea of suddenness and impact.

take a nosedive

A more idiomatic expression implying a sudden and dramatic downward movement or failure.

tumble down quickly

Suggests a less controlled descent, with "tumble" implying a rolling or chaotic fall.

cascade downwards

Implies a flowing descent, like a waterfall, which can be rapid depending on context.

move downwards with speed

A more descriptive alternative emphasizing both the downward direction and the velocity.

sink like a stone

An idiomatic expression indicating a fast and irreversible descent, often used metaphorically.

FAQs

How can I use "descend rapidly" in a sentence?

You can use "descend rapidly" to describe a quick downward movement, such as "The aircraft began to descend rapidly" or a sharp decrease, such as "The stock price descended rapidly after the announcement".

What's a more casual way to say "descend rapidly"?

In less formal contexts, you could use phrases like "drop quickly", "fall fast", or "plummet down" depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "descend rapidly" and "fall rapidly"?

While both phrases describe a quick downward motion, "descend rapidly" may imply a more controlled or deliberate movement than "fall rapidly", which can suggest a less controlled or accidental drop. But, in the overwhelming majority of the contexts, they can be used interchangeably.

Which is correct, "descend rapidly" or "descend quick"?

"Descend rapidly" is correct because "rapidly" is an adverb modifying the verb "descend". "Descend quick" is grammatically incorrect; you would need to use the adverb form.