diminishing rate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "diminishing rate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where the rate of something is decreasing over time or with increased quantity. Example: "As production increases, the diminishing rate of output becomes evident, leading to lower efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Talk about a diminishing rate of return.

The New York Times

Height rises with prosperity, but at a diminishing rate.

The Economist

Gordon describes a steadily diminishing rate of growth in the United States: Doubling the standard of living took five centuries between 1300 and 1800.

The New York Times

Those who ambitiously doubled the recommended amount of weekly exercise enjoyed additional gains in life span, but at a noticeably diminishing rate, typically living 10 months or so longer than those who just met the guidelines.

The New York Times

The impact on stock prices appears to be small, but a 2012 study by Anita Elberse and Jeroen Verleun found that, on average, athlete endorsements boosted sales by four per cent, and that further achievements by endorsers (additional championships, Olympic gold medals, and so on) continued to send sales higher, though at a diminishing rate.

The New Yorker

(4) and (5.a) increase at diminishing rate.

International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

The Economist Intelligence Unit, a sister company of The Economist, forecasts continuing growth in FDI to the end of the decade after a decline this year, albeit at diminishing rates.

The Economist

The Central Bank is committed to pursuing a robust monetary policy through the strict control of the growth of the means of payment.Monetary aggregates have been growing at diminishing rates since 2004.

The Economist

Drying continued until the end of the experiment (24 weeks), but at diminishing rates (Figure 1).

New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science

Even if the figures released by Beijing's NBS are accurate, they reflect a continuing trend of diminishing rates of growth over the past several years and are the lowest level of GDP growth in 24 years.

Huffington Post

The clear trend of diminishing rates of GDP growth in China, whether extrapolated from official figures or derived from a more nuanced assessments of China's economic performance, are already having an effect on the entire global economy.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends or changes over time, use "diminishing rate" to accurately portray a decrease in the speed at which something is happening. For instance, "The company experienced a diminishing rate of sales growth after the initial marketing campaign."

Common error

Avoid using "diminishing rate" when you actually mean diminishing returns. Diminishing returns refers to a point where increasing input yields a lower increase in output, while "diminishing rate" describes a decreasing speed or tempo of change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "diminishing rate" functions primarily as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. The adjective "diminishing" describes the kind of rate, indicating that it is decreasing or slowing down. As Ludwig confirms, this construction is commonly used and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Social Media

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "diminishing rate" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a decreasing speed or intensity over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s applicable across various contexts, particularly in science, news, and formal business settings. While generally correct, it's important to differentiate it from similar concepts like "diminishing returns". Alternatives such as "decreasing pace" and "slowing decline" offer nuanced ways to express the same idea. With a high expert rating and consistent usage across authoritative sources, mastering "diminishing rate" enhances clarity and precision in analytical writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decreasing pace

Emphasizes the reduction in speed or tempo rather than the rate itself.

slowing decline

Specifically refers to a decrease, but highlights that the decline is becoming less rapid.

decelerating rate

Focuses on the reduction of acceleration, implying a lessening of the rate of increase or decrease.

waning pace

Implies a gradual fading or weakening of the pace.

tapering off

Suggests a gradual reduction to a smaller amount or intensity.

slackening rate

Indicates a loosening or reduction in intensity of the rate.

reduced speed

Focuses on the speed being lowered.

lessening intensity

Highlights a decrease in the strength or degree of something.

abating tempo

Refers to the reduction in the speed or rhythm of something.

easing off

Describes a gradual relaxation or reduction in effort or intensity.

FAQs

How can I use "diminishing rate" in a sentence?

You can use "diminishing rate" to describe a situation where the speed or intensity of something is decreasing over time. For example: "The drug's effectiveness showed a "diminishing rate" after prolonged use".

What are some alternatives to "diminishing rate"?

Some alternatives to "diminishing rate" include "decreasing pace", "slowing decline", or "decelerating rate", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say 'a rate is diminishing'?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say 'a rate is diminishing'. It means that the rate is decreasing over time. For example, 'The inflation rate is diminishing'.

What is the difference between "diminishing rate" and "reduced rate"?

"Diminishing rate" describes a continuous process of decrease, while "reduced rate" simply indicates that a rate is lower than it previously was. Diminishing suggests a trend; reduced suggests a state.