diminishing pattern

USAGE SUMMARY

"diminishing pattern" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the gradual reduction of an effect or occurrence over time; for example, "The factory observed a diminishing pattern in air pollution over the past decade, largely due to the introduction of new environmental regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Another important finding is that the antibody levels remained protective for a substantial time after pH1N1 vaccination without a clear diminishing pattern within the current follow up time frame.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

This study indicates that the conflict had an impact on mental health and economic conditions far beyond the area where the actual violent events took place, in a diminishing pattern in line with the hypothesis of a ripple effect.

Conflict and Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Discovery of temporal patterns and temporal trends from such temporal data requires new algorithms and methodologies as most of the existing algorithms do not reveal emerging, seasonal and diminishing patterns.

Future Generation Computer Systems

As the graph demonstrates, females and males show a similarly diminishing longitudinal pattern, though for males the peak of violence is delayed by about 6 7 years compared to females.

Crime Science

This has been described as the ripple effect of a disaster, and posits that mental health problems spread outward from the center of disaster in a diminishing ripple pattern [ 4- 6].

Conflict and Health

This diminished the pattern's status in the eyes of high-end shoppers.

The New Yorker

Mutation of the N-terminal Cys to Ser diminishes Shh patterning activity in the mouse limb and neural tube, and essentially eliminates Hh signaling activity in Drosophila [4], [12] [15].

Plosone

Follow-up periods are sufficient for novelty value to diminish and patterns of use to be established.

BMJ Open

The pattern of diminishing CD4-related progression risks at higher baseline CD4 (Figure 2c+d) was also observed in a recent multi-center analysis of patients starting immediate versus deferred ART [36]: Here, the prognostic value of CD4 − as measured by AIDS/death risks associated with deferring ART − was high at low CD4 thresholds, but marginal at thresholds in the range of 500 cells/µL.

Plosone

Ellie Goulding: 9 Marina and the Diamonds: 7 Delphic: 4 Jessie J's terrifying reign continues even if her three albums have followed a pattern of diminishing sales.

The Guardian - Music

But even for its most famous names, who must learn to build a musical career that relies on more than their association with the show, "Idol" has shown a pattern of diminishing returns.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing data or observations, use "diminishing pattern" to clearly indicate a trend where values decrease over time or across a specific range. For example, "The data revealed a diminishing pattern of customer engagement after the initial marketing campaign."

Common error

Avoid assuming that a "diminishing pattern" implies a direct cause-and-effect relationship. While a decreasing trend may be evident, ensure you investigate other factors that could contribute to the observed decline before drawing definitive conclusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "diminishing pattern" functions as a noun phrase, where "diminishing" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "pattern". According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English, often describing a gradual reduction of an effect or occurence over time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "diminishing pattern" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a trend of decreasing values or intensity over time. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness for written English. It is versatile enough for both academic and general contexts, though more prevalent in science and news media. When employing this phrase, ensure you're accurately depicting a structured decrease and avoid jumping to conclusions about causality. Alternatives such as ""decreasing trend"" or "fading trend" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decreasing trend

Focuses on the trend aspect rather than the pattern, suggesting a directional change downwards.

declining tendency

Highlights the inclination to decrease or lessen over time.

fading trend

Emphasizes the weakening or disappearance of a trend.

waning sequence

Implies a gradual reduction in intensity or size in a series.

receding order

Describes an arrangement where elements progressively move back or decrease.

attenuating effect

Highlights a reducing or weakening impact.

lessening progression

Suggests a gradual decrease in stages or steps.

shrinking design

Focuses on the reduction in size or extent of a plan or arrangement.

dwindling scheme

Emphasizes the reduction of a plan or system in a gradual manner.

subsiding formation

Suggests a structure or arrangement that is gradually sinking or diminishing.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "diminishing pattern" in a sentence?

Use "diminishing pattern" to describe trends or observations that show a decreasing trend over time or across a set of data. For example, you might say, "The study found a "decreasing trend" in sales during the off-season".

What are some alternatives to "diminishing pattern"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as ""decreasing trend"", "declining tendency", or "fading trend" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "diminishing pattern" formal enough for academic writing?

Yes, "diminishing pattern" is suitable for formal and academic writing. It clearly and precisely describes a trend of decrease. You could also consider alternatives like "attenuating effect" in highly technical contexts.

What's the difference between "diminishing pattern" and ""decreasing trend""?

While both phrases indicate a reduction, "diminishing pattern" might imply a more structured or predictable decrease, whereas ""decreasing trend"" simply refers to a general downward movement. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the structure of the decrease.