drop steeply

USAGE SUMMARY

'drop steeply' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where the value or quantity of something decreases significantly and quickly. For example: "The stock price had been steadily increasing until it suddenly dropped steeply."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

The company can benefit, however, when fuel prices drop steeply.

The New York Times

Where the sides are not cliffs, wooded slopes drop steeply.

The Guardian - Books

The sides of rift valleys drop steeply away in the form of steps and terraces.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Above these remarkable labyrinthine cliffs rose the Pine Valley Mountains, which drop steeply to the west and look like a single gigantic rock wall.

University of California, Berkeley

Numbers of species drop steeply to the east across the Pacific and less steeply to the west across the Indian Ocean.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Massive scree slopes drop steeply down to a literally boiling river, the fissure where it escapes the rock billowing steam into the air.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

And it has dropped steeply since the Middle Ages.

The Guardian

By 20 years old, most had already dropped steeply.

The Guardian

Census data indicate that owner-built housing starts dropped steeply during the endless recession.

The New York Times

At its edges it drops steeply to the Aral Sea and the surrounding plain.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Ruwenzori Range runs parallel to the Western Rift Valley, to which it drops steeply.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drop steeply" to describe significant and rapid declines in quantifiable metrics such as prices, rates, or levels. It effectively conveys the severity and speed of the decrease.

Common error

Avoid using "drop steeply" when describing gradual or minor decreases. The phrase implies a sharp and immediate decline, so ensure the context warrants this sense of suddenness and magnitude.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drop steeply" functions as a verb phrase + adverb indicating a dynamic process of rapid decline. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, with examples demonstrating its function in describing reductions in quantifiable metrics such as prices or levels.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drop steeply" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to describe a significant and rapid decrease. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reporting to academic writing. Its primary function is to convey information about a notable decline, often with an emphasis on the speed and magnitude of the fall. While versatile, it's best to reserve "drop steeply" for scenarios where the decline is both substantial and swift, as misuse can undermine clarity. Related alternatives include phrases like "decline sharply" and "fall precipitously", offering nuanced ways to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decline sharply

Emphasizes a reduction in amount or quality more broadly than a physical descent.

decrease rapidly

Focuses on the speed of the reduction, applicable to quantities and values.

fall precipitously

Suggests a sudden and dramatic drop, often with negative implications.

plummet dramatically

Highlights a severe and rapid fall, implying a significant impact.

descend quickly

Emphasizes the swiftness of movement downward, either literally or figuratively.

nosedive

Implies a rapid and uncontrolled descent, often used in financial contexts.

take a nosedive

Nominal form which refers to a rapid and uncontrolled descent, often used in financial contexts.

plunge

Conveys a forceful and sudden drop, applicable in various contexts.

shrink drastically

Suggests a significant reduction in size or scope.

tumble sharply

Implies a rapid and somewhat uncontrolled fall, often used for prices or values.

FAQs

How can I use "drop steeply" in a sentence?

You can use "drop steeply" to describe a rapid decline in something measurable, such as "After the announcement, the company's stock price "dropped steeply"".

What are some alternatives to saying "drop steeply"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "decline sharply", "fall precipitously", or "decrease rapidly" as alternatives to "drop steeply".

Is it more appropriate to say "dropped steeply" or "drop steeply"?

The tense depends on the context. Use "dropped steeply" for past events (e.g., "Sales dropped steeply last quarter") and "drop steeply" for potential or habitual actions (e.g., "Prices may drop steeply if demand decreases").

What's the difference between "drop steeply" and "decrease significantly"?

"Drop steeply" implies a quicker and more dramatic decline than "decrease significantly". While both indicate a reduction, "drop steeply" suggests a sharper and more immediate fall.