during a slump

USAGE SUMMARY

"during a slump" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a difficult period of time, for example: "My company was forced to lay off staff during a slump in the economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

But it suffers less during a slump.

The Economist

Ronald Reagan's numbers went down during a slump, too.

The Washington Post

The real test will come during a slump.

The Economist

It can expand elastically to meet the increased demand for cash during a slump.

The Economist

Keynes argued that during a slump governments should increase borrowing, not cut it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Analysts have praised H.P.'s good timing in buying E.D.S. during a slump in the economy.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

The movie's surprise success (studio projections and audience surveys had predicted an opening of $60 million to $75 million heading into the weekend) is an indicator of pent-up moviegoer demand during a slumping summer, said Dave Hollis, Walt Disney Studios' executive vice president of theatrical distribution.

Los Angeles Times

The incidence of appendicitis revealed a clear seasonality for males and females in the NP, peaking during the summer months with a slump during the winter months.

BMC Gastroenterology

Global equities outperformed both corporate bonds and hedge funds, despite a slump during July this year.

The Economist

As it happens, Dahlman was mired in a slump during the two days I spent with him at the Suncoast.

The New York Times - Magazine

Duke's defense has improved greatly after a slump during the last month of the regular season.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic impacts, use "during a slump" to accurately portray a period of reduced activity or decline, providing context for actions or outcomes that occurred at that time.

Common error

Avoid using "during a slump" to describe brief, temporary setbacks. Ensure the situation represents a sustained period of reduced economic activity, not just a momentary dip.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during a slump" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to indicate the timeframe or circumstances under which an action or state occurred. Ludwig examples confirm its role in setting a temporal context for events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "during a slump" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to set a temporal context, particularly in discussing economic conditions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for formal and neutral registers and frequently appears in news and business contexts. While alternatives such as "in an economic downturn" or "amidst a recession" exist, "during a slump" provides a versatile option for describing actions or events occurring amidst an economic decline. The examples illustrate its frequent usage in describing business adaptations, government policies, and market behavior during challenging economic times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in an economic downturn

Replaces "slump" with a more general term for economic decline; similar meaning but slightly broader application.

amidst the economic downturn

Similar to "in an economic downturn" but adds a sense of immediacy and ongoing impact.

amidst a recession

Specifies a more severe and prolonged period of economic decline, maintaining the temporal context.

during recessionary times

Uses a more formal tone to describe the recession period.

in times of economic hardship

Emphasizes the difficult economic conditions, offering a slightly more descriptive alternative.

in a contractionary period

Replaces the original phrase with more specific wording.

through an economic crisis

Indicates a critical and unstable economic period, conveying a sense of urgency and severity.

in the midst of a financial crisis

Like "through an economic crisis", this phrase suggests heightened instability and risk.

during a period of decline

Focuses on the declining trend, providing a more general and less dramatic alternative.

in a down market

Highlights the negative performance of the market, emphasizing the financial aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "during a slump" in a sentence?

You can use "during a slump" to describe actions or events that occurred while an economy or industry was experiencing a downturn. For example, "Many businesses cut costs "during a slump" to stay afloat".

What are some alternatives to "during a slump"?

Some alternatives include "in an economic downturn", "amidst a recession", or "in times of economic hardship", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "during a slump" in formal writing?

Yes, "during a slump" is generally appropriate for formal writing, particularly in business and economic contexts. However, consider using more specific terminology like "recessionary times" or "contractionary period" for highly technical or academic discussions.

What's the difference between "during a slump" and "during a recession"?

"During a slump" is a more general term for an economic downturn, while "during a recession" refers to a specific, prolonged period of economic contraction as defined by economists. A recession is a more severe and formally recognized condition than a general "during a slump".