diminished crowd

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "diminished crowd" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a crowd that has decreased in size or number, often due to various factors such as time, circumstances, or events. Example: "As the concert progressed, the once vibrant atmosphere was replaced by a diminished crowd, leaving only a few dedicated fans behind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As he explained to the diminished crowd that remained: "That other world that used to exist doesn't exist anymore".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Yet, where interest in football might have diminished, crowds are getting bigger, not smaller.

The New York Times - Sports

"There are more of us pursuing a diminishing crowd," says Peter Beswick, owner of the Rembrandt Hotel.Technology is one reason.

The Economist

When activists challenged the system during the Khatami years, they found themselves isolated, a diminishing crowd without political support or mass mobilization to defend them.

The New Yorker

Rain, a diminishing crowd of protesters and a decision by police to keep a relatively low profile led to a largely uneventful evening.

The Guardian

He is Randy Ram Robinsonon, the washed-up star of the 80s professional wrestling scene, still roaring and crashing around the circuit to a diminishing crowd of nerdy male fans and dead-eyed blonde women keen to "party" after the show.

The Guardian - Film

On Wednesday night, rain, a diminishing crowd of protesters and a decision by the police to keep a relatively low profile led to a largely uneventful evening at the scene of nearly two weeks of demonstrations.

The Guardian

Discouraged by diminishing crowds, Waters stopped playing.

The New York Times - Books

Possible explanation in terms of diminishing crowding effect was discussed.

International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics

The remaining members carried on in the eighties and nineties, playing in front of diminishing crowds, performing songs that made money for the guy who was no longer there.

The New Yorker

Wald examines the entire three-day festival in forensic detail, placing the headline historical event in a thorough context, which shows more clearly the burgeoning divide between the old guard's weakening hold, as the more traditional acts played to diminishing crowds, and the immense power wielded by Dylan, whose new fans overwhelmed the occasion.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a crowd that has become smaller over time, use "diminished crowd" to clearly convey the sense of reduction.

Common error

Avoid using "diminished crowd" when the crowd was always small. This phrase implies a reduction from a previously larger size. If the crowd was always small, use "small crowd" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "diminished crowd" functions as a descriptive noun phrase, where "diminished" is an adjective modifying the noun "crowd". It is used to describe the state of a crowd that has become smaller in size. Ludwig provides examples illustrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "diminished crowd" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a crowd that has decreased in size. As per Ludwig, it is frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts, with authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian employing it. The phrase serves to inform that a crowd is smaller than it once was, suitable for neutral and descriptive writing. While appropriate in most situations, it is most effective when the crowd has noticeably decreased and less accurate if the crowd was always small. Alternative phrases such as "smaller gathering" or "reduced attendance" can be considered for specific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smaller gathering

Emphasizes the reduced size and informal nature of the group.

smaller audience

Specifically refers to a group of people watching a performance or event.

reduced attendance

Focuses on the act of people not attending, suitable for events.

reduced numbers

Directly indicates a decrease in the quantity of people.

thinned ranks

Suggests a military or organized group with fewer members.

sparse turnout

Highlights the unexpectedly low number of people who appeared.

downsized group

Suggests a deliberate reduction in the size of the group.

dwindling throng

Implies a gradual decrease in a large, densely packed crowd.

declining presence

Emphasizes the decreasing visibility or existence of a crowd.

lesser multitude

A more formal way of saying a smaller crowd.

FAQs

How can I use "diminished crowd" in a sentence?

You can use "diminished crowd" to describe a situation where the number of people present has decreased, such as "The rain led to a "diminished crowd" at the outdoor concert".

What's the difference between "diminished crowd" and "small crowd"?

"Diminished crowd" implies that the crowd was once larger but has decreased in size. "Small crowd" simply describes the current size of the crowd without suggesting a prior state. Using "small crowd" can be more appropriate when the attendance was always low.

What can I say instead of "diminished crowd"?

Alternatives include "smaller gathering", "reduced attendance", or "sparse turnout" depending on the specific context and the reason for the reduction.

Is "diminished crowd" formal or informal?

"Diminished crowd" is generally considered a neutral term, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might consider "reduced numbers" or "declining presence" depending on the setting.