descending order

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "descending order" is correct and usable in written English to refer to a sequence of values or items arranged from highest to lowest.
For example: "The list of countries is sorted in descending order of population size."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In descending order: Canadians, Swedes and Americans.

The New York Times - Sports

Our picks are listed in descending order.

The New York Times - Books

And this is what they currently fear, in descending order.

The New York Times - Sports

Onstage, the host was announcing the winners in descending order.

The New Yorker

Read in descending order, the letters spell out REAR ENDED.

The New York Times

Here are the top five factors, listed in descending order.

Harvard Business Review

We remove the nodes in descending order of the CbDI.

Nature

The list in full is below, in descending order.

The Guardian

In descending order, they were: Amazon.com, Netscape.com, AOL.com and eBay.com.com

The New York Times

Can I display an axis in descending order?

Harvard University

My results are below, in roughly descending order of preference.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For numerical data, always clarify if the values are being sorted from highest to lowest, as this can be a common point of confusion.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating the attribute used for sorting in "descending order". For example, instead of just saying "sort the list in descending order", specify "sort the list in descending order of price".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "descending order" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying the arrangement or sequencing of elements. It describes how something is sorted or organized, indicating a progression from highest to lowest value or importance. Ludwig examples confirm its common use in instructions and descriptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "descending order" is a commonly used and grammatically correct term for specifying an arrangement from highest to lowest. It functions as an adverbial modifier, providing clarity and precision in various contexts, particularly in science, news, and formal business settings. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. When employing this phrase, ensure you clearly indicate the attribute being ordered to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "decreasing sequence" or "largest to smallest" can be used for variety. "Descending order" is essential for clear and structured communication across diverse fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decreasing sequence

Focuses on the sequential nature, implying a step-down arrangement.

falling order

Uses a different verb to convey the reduction from top to bottom.

largest to smallest

Emphasizes the endpoint values defining the arrangement.

high to low

Simplifies the concept to the extremes of the arrangement.

in reverse sequence

Highlights the inverted direction compared to a standard ascending order.

from maximum to minimum

Uses formal terms for the extreme values, implying a structured arrangement.

top-down sequence

Specifies the direction of arrangement.

in inverse proportion

Describes decreasing order based on the proportion, good for quantities.

decreasing magnitude

Emphasizes the reducing size or extent of the items.

declining progression

Highlights the reduction or downturn aspect.

FAQs

How do I use "descending order" in a sentence?

Use "descending order" to specify that items or values should be arranged from the highest to the lowest value. For example: "The search results are displayed in "descending order" of relevance".

What's the difference between "descending order" and "ascending order"?

"Descending order" arranges items from the highest to lowest value, while "ascending order" arranges them from the lowest to highest value. It's important to clarify which "order" you are using to avoid confusion.

What can I say instead of "descending order"?

You can use alternatives like "decreasing sequence", "falling order", or "largest to smallest" depending on the context.

Is it always clear what attribute is being sorted when using "descending order"?

No, it's often necessary to explicitly state the attribute being sorted. For example, instead of "sort the list in "descending order"", say "sort the list in "descending order" by date" to avoid ambiguity.