downward

USAGE SUMMARY

"downward" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it in a sentence when talking about something that is moving or diminishing in a downward motion. For example, "The stock market has been trending downward for the past few months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Authorities said Morrison fired when Ramirez made a downward movement with his hands after Morrison ordered him to keep his hands visible.

The Guardian

It goes on to warn: In addition, house prices have increased rapidly and may create risks to financial stability in the case of a downward adjustment".

The Guardian - Business

Destatis, the German data agency, said: "Foreign trade had a downward effect on economic growth.

The Guardian - Business

When I looked in the mirror and saw the downward droop of my mouth I realised I'd had a stroke".

The Guardian

There is always a tinge of sadness when any footballer leaves his boyhood club, not least at a time in the Premier League when young English players aren't so much nurtured gently to maturity as yanked squealing into the light and then hurled beneath the wheels of the machine at the first downward wrench of the gears.

The Guardian - Sport

US annual inflation has been on a downward path since the summer, and economists are expecting further falls.

The Guardian - Business

Measures outlined today – raising the basic personal allowance, the reduction of the 50p tax rate to 45p, the acceleration of the corporation tax downward trend, tackling tax avoidance and the infrastructure upgrade programme – are a step in the right direction to delivering jobs and growth by boosting confidence in UK plc.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some of us have despaired of the downward spiral of the public debate on immigration in both political parties.

The Guardian - Opinion

There may be institutional as well as personal failures – a healthy reluctance to manage editorial decisions downward may have grown warped into a failure to refer conflict up.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not having breakfast is a surefire downward spiral to abject misery, hence the genius of this week's theme.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Thiam said: "Very low long-term interest rates weigh on long-term investment," warning of a downward "spiral of low income and lower growth".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends, use "downward" to clearly indicate a negative progression or decrease. This provides a concise and easily understood direction.

Common error

While "downward" and "downwards" are often interchangeable, "downward" is more common as an adjective. Reserve "downwards" primarily for adverbial use to avoid sounding overly formal or archaic.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "downward" is as an adjective or adverb, modifying nouns or verbs to indicate direction or movement toward a lower position, level, or state. As Ludwig AI provides shows, it's used in phrases like "downward trend" or to describe a "downward spiral".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "downward" is a versatile term primarily functioning as an adjective or adverb to denote movement or a trend towards a lower state. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and highly prevalent across various contexts. Predominantly found in news, business, and scientific reporting, "downward" effectively conveys negative progressions or declines. While “downward” and "downwards" are often interchangeable, “downward” is more suited as an adjective. Employ "downward" to ensure clarity when describing negative trends and consider its versatility in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

descending

Implies a continuous movement from a higher to a lower point.

on a downward trajectory

Specifically indicates a course or path that is moving downward.

declining

Suggests a gradual decrease or deterioration in quality or quantity.

on the decline

Emphasizes the process of diminishing or weakening over time.

in decline

A more general term indicating a state of deterioration or decrease.

plummeting

Indicates a rapid and significant fall, often with negative connotations.

slipping

Conveys a gradual and often unnoticed descent or decline.

deteriorating

Highlights the worsening condition or quality of something.

spiraling down

Implies a continuous and worsening decline, often in a chaotic manner.

towards a lower level

A literal description of moving or trending towards a lower position or state.

FAQs

How can I use "downward" in a sentence?

You can use "downward" to describe a movement or trend towards a lower position or state. For example, "The company experienced a "downward trend" in sales this quarter."

What's the difference between "downward" and "downwards"?

"Downward" is generally used as an adjective (e.g., "downward slope"), while "downwards" is typically used as an adverb (e.g., "looking downwards"). However, in many contexts, they are interchangeable.

What are some alternatives to using the word "downward"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "declining", "descending", or "slipping" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it ever incorrect to use "downward"?

While generally correct, using "downward" as an adverb might sound slightly less common than "downwards" in certain contexts. For instance, saying "He looked downward" is acceptable, but "He looked downwards" might be preferred by some speakers.