drops sharply

USAGE SUMMARY

"drops sharply" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a sudden decrease in something. For example: "The stock market dropped sharply after the news of an increase in tariffs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The number of parties drops sharply after Labor Day.

The New York Times

The river then drops sharply down to the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The north coast of the mainland, unlike the swampy south coast, drops sharply to the sea.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But this time round, even if America drops sharply, the world won't stop.

The Economist

A weaker estrogen called estrone becomes the predominant form after menopause, when estradiol drops sharply.

The New York Times - Health

Factor them out, Mr. Hauenstein added, and hub dominance drops sharply.

The New York Times

The quality of the football itself also drops sharply as this mid-season malaise sets in.

The Guardian - Sport

When demand drops, inventories build up, then production drops sharply as businesses work off the overhang.

The New York Times

Most significantly, they say, family size drops sharply in urban areas.

The New York Times - Science

But one suspects that, unless and until the market drops sharply, few investors will want to know.

The Economist

The Chinese government has tried to dampen rampant growth amid fears of a "hard landing" if demand drops sharply.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drops sharply" to describe a sudden and significant decrease or decline. Ensure that the context clearly indicates what is decreasing and why it's important to note the sharp drop.

Common error

Avoid using "drops sharply" when a more gradual or stable decline is intended. This phrase emphasizes suddenness and impact, so choose a different term if the decrease is slow or expected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drops sharply" functions as a descriptive phrase indicating a sudden and significant decrease. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a valid English phrase, used to describe a steep decline.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "drops sharply" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a sudden and substantial decrease. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage across diverse contexts such as News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias. The phrase conveys immediacy and severity, making it suitable for scenarios where the rate and magnitude of a decline are important. Alternatives like "decreases dramatically" or "falls steeply" can be used to add nuance, while understanding the connotation prevents misuse. When describing gradual changes, it is important to select more accurate terms. Ensure that, when using "drops sharply", the context clearly indicates what is decreasing and why the sharp decline is notable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decreases dramatically

Emphasizes the extent of the decrease.

declines significantly

Highlights the importance or impact of the decrease.

falls steeply

Focuses on the rate and angle of the decrease.

plummets rapidly

Implies a very fast and often unexpected decrease.

collapses suddenly

Suggests a complete and immediate failure or drop.

dips considerably

Indicates a notable but not necessarily catastrophic decrease.

reduces drastically

Highlights the severity of the reduction.

lessens substantially

Emphasizes the material impact of the decrease.

diminishes noticeably

Focuses on the visibility or observability of the decrease.

contracts markedly

Implies a reduction in size or scope that is easily seen.

FAQs

How can I use "drops sharply" in a sentence?

You can use "drops sharply" to describe a sudden and significant decrease. For example: "After the announcement, the stock price "drops sharply"."

What are some alternatives to "drops sharply"?

Some alternatives include "decreases dramatically", "declines significantly", or "falls steeply", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "drops sharply" or "decreases gradually"?

The choice depends on the context. "Drops sharply" indicates a sudden decline, while "decreases gradually" suggests a slow, consistent reduction. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the situation.

What does "drops sharply" imply about the rate of change?

"Drops sharply" implies that the rate of change is rapid and significant. It suggests a sudden and noticeable decrease rather than a slow or minor adjustment.