dipped by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dipped by" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to refer to a decrease or drop in something. For example, "Sales dipped by 10% last quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Total revenues dipped by 1% to £1.96bn.

The Guardian

In September real consumer spending dipped by 0.6%.

The Economist

Sales dipped by 3% once new store openings were excluded.

The Guardian - Business

Over the period, Healthy Choice's market share dipped by 0.2 points and Lean Cuisine dipped by 1 point while Smart Ones gained 0.2 points.

The New York Times

Germany's GDP is reported to have dipped by as much as 1% in the second quarter.

The Economist

Attendance dipped by more than 20,000 fans in 2006 because of inclement weather.

The New York Times

In recent weeks revenue had dipped by over 6 percent, leading to hand wringing in Hollywood.

The New York Times

But Chinese consumption dipped by 1.6% in 2014, despite economic growth of 7.3%.

The Economist

Walgreens's share price dipped by 5.9% on the day of the announcement.

The Economist

The value of retail sales dipped by 0.3% in January, as car sales fell sharply.

The Economist

The stock price dipped by 1.4 percent to $66.16 on Wednesday.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dipped by" to describe a decrease in numerical values or percentages, particularly in contexts relating to economics, statistics, or performance metrics. It's suitable for news reports, business analysis, and academic papers.

Common error

Avoid using "dipped by" to describe a continuous, gradual decline over a long period. "Dipped by" implies a specific, measurable decrease at a certain point in time. For sustained declines, consider using phrases like "decreased steadily" or "gradually declined".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dipped by" functions as a verb phrase with a preposition, indicating a decrease or reduction in quantity, value, or degree. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dipped by" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a decrease, often numerical, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is used frequently in news and media, formal business contexts, and scientific reports. While it's generally suitable for formal writing, consider the specific context and whether alternatives like "decreased by" might be more appropriate. Remember to use "dipped by" to describe a specific, measurable decrease rather than a continuous, gradual decline. The phrase enjoys high usage across reliable sources, reflecting its authority and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decreased by

Emphasizes a reduction in quantity or degree, often used interchangeably but can suggest a more gradual change than "dipped by".

fell by

Indicates a downward movement or decline, often used for measurable quantities like prices or temperatures.

declined by

Suggests a more formal or gradual decrease, often used in economic or statistical contexts.

reduced by

Focuses on the action of making something smaller or less.

dropped by

Similar to "fell by", but can sometimes imply a more sudden or unexpected decrease.

lessened by

Indicates a reduction in intensity, degree, or amount, suitable when the decrease isn't strictly numerical.

diminished by

Suggests a gradual decrease, often implying a reduction in importance or impact.

contracted by

Frequently used in economic contexts to describe a shrinking economy or sector.

slipped by

Implies a slight or subtle decrease, often unnoticed or unexpected.

shrank by

Describes a reduction in size or volume.

FAQs

How is "dipped by" used in a sentence?

The phrase "dipped by" is used to indicate a decrease, often numerical. For example, "Profits "dipped by" 5% last quarter."

What's the difference between "dipped by" and "decreased by"?

While both indicate a reduction, "dipped by" often implies a more sudden or temporary decrease, whereas "decreased by" can describe a more gradual or sustained decline. The choice depends on the specific context and the nature of the change.

What can I say instead of "dipped by"?

You can use alternatives such as "fell by", "declined by", or "reduced by" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "dipped by" in formal writing?

Yes, "dipped by" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in contexts related to business, economics, or statistics. However, consider the specific nuance and whether a more formal alternative like "decreased by" is more suitable.