descending slope

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "descending slope" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a decline in a physical or metaphorical sense, such as in discussions about geography, economics, or personal situations. Example: "The hiker carefully navigated the descending slope of the mountain, ensuring not to lose his footing."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

An auto-spectral model of wind pressure was proposed with three parameters which denote the descending slope, the dominant frequency and the peak value of the reduced auto-spectral curve respectively.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

Increasing the inhibitor concentration resulted in a descending slope of the line.

Chemistry Central Journal

The first difference between the frequency and the time tampering is that all the rate-distortion functions in the frequency attack are shifted upwards to higher rates, and have a steeper descending slope as the distortion increases.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

In the majority of the recorded traces we were able to identify two separate bursts of HFOs: an early burst occurred in the latency interval of the ascending slope of the conventional N20 component and a late burst in the time interval of the descending slope of N20, sometimes extending into the ascending slope of the N33 peak.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Hence, some NIRS-derived variables, such as the descending slope (the rate of decrease in tissue oxygen saturation during a VOT and correlated with tissue oxygen consumption), may be affected by some degree of ischemic preconditioning in the studied tissue, limiting the reproducibility of results over a short time period [19].

Annals of Intensive Care

Gradually the road they were climbing became a descending slope, but the inclination was so steep that if they missed their footing they would fall thousands and thousands of feet — and how many men lost their lives like that!" In the end, the Japanese Army could take pride in conducting a creditable defence in the face of an impossible tactical situation.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

You may walk the streets of Chelsea for decades and never register that you are climbing and descending slopes.

The New Yorker

By Peter Schjeldahl November 4, 2012 You may walk the streets of Chelsea for decades and never register that you are climbing and descending slopes.

The New Yorker

In the cohesive zone model, a traction-separation relation for FRP debonding is proposed with a shape index while providing various initial descending slopes.

Cement and Concrete Composites

It has more ground clearance (8.7 inches vs. 6.1 for the new Legacy) and better approach and departure angles (so that the front and rear ends do not get hung up when climbing or descending slopes).

The New York Times

As coasting can be applied more extensively on line sections with descending slopes, the effect of hybridisation in these cases is generally stronger than on line sections with ascending slopes.

European Transport Research Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical landscapes, ensure the context clarifies whether the "descending slope" is gradual or steep to provide a clearer picture for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "descending slope" in contexts where a metaphorical decline is intended without providing adequate context. Ensure the connection to a literal slope isn't misleading if you're using it to describe something abstract like a "descending slope" of economic growth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "descending slope" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically describing a physical feature or a graphical representation of a decline. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

26%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "descending slope" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that commonly describes a downward incline, both physically and figuratively. As verified by Ludwig, it's especially prevalent in scientific, news, and encyclopedic contexts, indicating a formal to neutral register. While often used literally, remember to provide context to avoid ambiguity when employing it metaphorically. By considering related phrases like "downward gradient" and being mindful of potential misinterpretations, you can effectively use "descending slope" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decreasing slope

Replaces "descending" with a direct synonym, keeping the structure intact.

downward gradient

This alternative emphasizes the gradual nature of the decline.

declining gradient

Focuses on the active process of decreasing incline.

downward incline

Highlights the direction of the slope as going down.

falling gradient

Emphasizes the continuous drop or decrease.

downward path

Describes a course moving in a descending direction.

declining trend

Shifts the context to a more abstract, trend-based interpretation.

downward trajectory

Conveys a sense of a path moving downwards, possibly in a non-linear way.

declining path

Implies a route that is on a downward trend.

falling rate

Suitable when the focus is on the speed of the decline.

FAQs

How can I use "descending slope" in a sentence?

The phrase "descending slope" is typically used to describe a downward incline. For example: "The hikers carefully navigated the "descending slope" of the mountain."

What are some alternatives to "descending slope"?

You can use alternatives such as "downward gradient", "declining gradient", or "downward incline" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "descending slope"?

Yes, "descending slope" is a correct and commonly used phrase in English to describe a downward incline or decline, as validated by Ludwig.

What is the difference between "descending slope" and "declining trend"?

"Descending slope" typically refers to a physical downward incline, while "declining trend" usually describes a decrease or reduction in a more abstract context, such as economics or statistics.