downturn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "downturn" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a decline or decrease in economic activity, performance, or conditions. Example: "The company is facing a significant downturn in sales due to the recent economic crisis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

World Wildlife Fund Australia welcomed the end to offshore dumping but questioned the need to expand the port during a coal industry downturn.

The Guardian

The OECD was a supporter of workers in southern European countries taking a hit to their wage packets and argues that "wage adjustments have played an important role in helping the labour market weather the deep cyclical downturn, reducing job losses in the downturn and promoting employment growth in the recovery".

The Guardian - Business

It was a downturn in the US housing market three years ago that led us into these problems, and there are those who believe it will also lead us out.

The Guardian - Business

An impoverished country of 3.2 million, Armenia was badly affected by the global downturn.

The Guardian

And it is always hard to trim tax expenditures such as the mortgage interest deduction and state and local tax preferences – especially now, at a moment when the economy is still recovering from a housing-led downturn and state and local governments still face significant deficits that need to be closed.

The Guardian

Economists were quick to explain away the downturn as a temporary blip, caused by February's freezing weather and the shutdown of shale gas rigs as a result of global oil prices plunging (they have since recovered some ground).

The Guardian - Business

9am: Vince Cable, the business secretary, gives a speech on "Building a Shared Recovery - Lessons from the Downturn".

The Guardian

But with Spain in the grips of the 2008 economic downturn, the money earmarked for the improvements failed to materialise, and the site remained vacant, cordoned off from the rest of the city by a chainlink fence.

The Guardian

"McDonald's leaders have vowed to reverse the downturn by recommitting to 'hot, fresh food' by selling off certain outlets to independent owners – which would reduce the number of corporate-covered employees with a newly raised minimum wage – and by cutting $300m in costs," he writes.

The Guardian - Business

Related: The Observer view on London's wealth gap According to the SMF report, the 26 to 35-year-old group has suffered a 36% drop in savings since 2005 – from a median £461 to £296 – while the top 20% of earners "are far more financially secure today than going into the downturn".

The Guardian - Business

Tuesday's trip to the surprise package Eintracht Frankfurt, who have stunned the league with four wins in a row, might show whether this is the beginning of the dreaded third-season downturn, a mere blip, or indeed the equivalent of last year's low-point, a 2-1 defeat at Hannover in October – after which Dortmund ran away with the title.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic matters, use "downturn" to describe a period of declining economic activity, but be specific about the area affected (e.g., "housing market downturn").

Common error

Avoid attributing a "downturn" to a single cause without considering multiple contributing factors. Economic declines are usually complex and multifaceted.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "downturn" is as a noun. It refers to a period or instance of economic decline. Ludwig confirms its usage in various contexts, typically describing a decline in economic activity or performance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

23%

Science

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "downturn" is a common and grammatically correct noun used to describe a period of economic decline. Ludwig AI affirms its frequent use across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and finance. While generally neutral in register, it serves the communicative purpose of acknowledging and analyzing negative trends, such as an "economic decline" or a "recessionary period". Common usage involves specifying the affected area, such as "housing market downturn", while avoiding oversimplification of its causes. Related phrases include "economic decline", "market slump", and "recessionary period", each with slightly different nuances. The term's high frequency and consistent usage across authoritative sources underscore its importance in describing economic realities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

economic decline

Focuses specifically on the economic aspect of the downturn.

market slump

Refers specifically to a sudden and significant fall in market prices or economic activity.

recessionary period

Indicates a sustained period of economic contraction.

economic contraction

A more formal term for a period of declining economic activity.

period of decline

A general term applicable to various contexts, not just economic ones.

economic slowdown

Suggests a decrease in the rate of economic growth, rather than a complete fall.

business stagnation

Implies a lack of growth or progress in business activity.

downward trend

A more general term that can be applied to any decreasing trend.

economic setback

Highlights a temporary or unexpected problem that delays progress.

period of hardship

Focuses on the difficulties and suffering caused by the downturn.

FAQs

How can I use "downturn" in a sentence?

You can use "downturn" to describe a decline in economic activity. For example: "The company experienced a significant downturn in sales last quarter."

What's a simple way to describe a "downturn"?

A simple way to describe a "downturn" is to call it an "economic decline" or a "slow down" in economic activity.

What are the potential causes of an economic "downturn"?

Economic "downturns" can be caused by a variety of factors, including decreased consumer spending, increased interest rates, and global economic instability.

How does a "downturn" differ from a recession?

A "downturn" is a general term for a decline in economic activity, while a recession is a specific type of "downturn" characterized by a significant and sustained decline in economic activity across various sectors.