descending trajectory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "descending trajectory" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a downward path or decline in various contexts, such as in discussions about trends, performance, or physical movement. Example: "The company's profits have been on a descending trajectory for the past three quarters, raising concerns among investors."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Three decades after Margaret Thatcher took office on a crusade to resurrect traditional standards, there are many signs that she may have been a blip on an otherwise descending trajectory.

The New York Times

And, as I learned during research for my book, The Lies of Sarah Palin: The Untold Story Behind Her Relentless Quest for Power, the Ayers attack was in fact approved by McCain senior advisors trying to reverse Palin's descending trajectory with the American electorate in the aftermath of her disastrous and widely mocked interview with Katie Couric a few weeks earlier in the campaign.

Huffington Post

Group 1 (the "stable high" adiposity) is likely to become more common and the descending trajectory 3 ("falling to moderate" adiposity) less common.

Diabetes Care

The T2* EPI sequence was based on Weiskopf, Hutton, Josephs, and Deichmann (2006) and used the following acquisition parameters: 35 2-mm slices acquired in a descending trajectory with a 1-mm gap, echo time = 50 ms, repetition time = 2.975 s, slice tilt = –30°, flip angle = 90°, field of view = 192 mm, and matrix size = 64 × 64.

Cognitive, Affective and Behavioral Neuroscience

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Descending in a northeast trajectory, it passed over the southeast Pacific Ocean and crossed Central America toward Florida.

The New York Times - Science

Specifically, Sema3E/Plexin-D1 signaling regulates endothelial migration involved in heart and vessel formation, and guides the trajectory of descending axonal tracts in developing forebrain [20], [33] [36].

Plosone

In New York with Fred Plum from 1969 70, he carried out experiments on the anaesthetized cat to determine the trajectory of descending bulbospinal pathways responsible – firstly, for the 'central respiratory drive' to respiratory motoneurons in the spinal cord, and secondly, for those responsible for the cough reflex (Supplementary material B5 ).

Brain

They were shaped like truncated cones which matched the trajectories of descending shells and thus lessened their protective value.

Wikipedia

In active inference, descending signals specify sensory trajectories whose fixed point is the equilibrium point; i.e. the dynamics of the movement (including velocity, acceleration, jerk, etc), not just the position and torque at an end point (Friston et al. 2010).

Brain Structure and Function

It's also the first movement's coda, and this thrillingly life-affirming music, celebrating and adorning a descending major scale, crowns the trajectory of the whole piece at the end of the finale.

The Guardian - Music

The exploration trajectory is computed descending on the gradient of this field.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "descending trajectory" to add a touch of formality and precision to your writing, especially in business or academic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "descending trajectory" when the decline is not gradual or continuous. For sudden drops, consider terms like "plummet" or "collapse" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "descending trajectory" functions as a noun phrase, where "descending" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "trajectory". It describes the nature of the trajectory as one that is going downwards. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

37%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "descending trajectory" is a grammatically sound and usable term, primarily employed to describe a declining trend or downward path. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase appears most frequently in scientific and news-related contexts. When using "descending trajectory", ensure that you are accurately portraying a gradual decline and consider alternative phrases like "downward trend" or "declining path" for clarity or informality. While the phrase is correct, careful consideration of its specific nuance will ensure accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decline

A simpler and more direct term for a downward trend.

downward trend

Replaces "trajectory" with a more common term for a general decline.

declining path

Emphasizes the direction of the decline, similar to "descending trajectory".

falling slope

Highlights the rate of descent, implying a more gradual decline.

downward spiral

Suggests a continuous and worsening decline, often with negative connotations.

negative progression

A more formal way of describing a downward trend or decline.

diminishing course

Implies a reduction or decrease over time.

regressive course

Implies a movement backward or a return to a less developed state.

slipping trend

Suggests a gradual and subtle decline.

collapsing path

Indicates a sudden and rapid decline.

FAQs

What does "descending trajectory" mean?

The phrase "descending trajectory" refers to a downward path or decline, often used to describe trends, performance, or physical movements that are decreasing over time.

When is it appropriate to use "descending trajectory" in writing?

It's appropriate in formal or analytical contexts when you want to precisely describe something that is gradually decreasing. Using alternatives like "downward trend" or "declining path" may be better in informal writing.

What are some alternatives to "descending trajectory"?

Alternatives include "downward trend", "declining path", "falling slope", or "downward spiral", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I avoid misusing "descending trajectory"?

Ensure that the subject you are describing is actually declining gradually and consistently. Avoid using it for situations involving sudden or erratic drops.