dwindling down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dwindling down" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gradual decrease or reduction in quantity, intensity, or quality. Example: "As the sun set, the crowd at the festival began dwindling down, leaving only a few dedicated fans behind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"It's an era that's dwindling down," Mr. Scaduto said.

The New York Times

But when President Reagan took office, they were cut severely, dwindling down to almost nothing by 1983.

The New York Times

We did not get to where we are, in our rural lives, by dwindling down from a real farm.

The New York Times

There is no law against a.300 hitter dwindling down to a.250 hitter -- not at the outrageous seven-digit salaries.

The New York Times - Sports

"Our team was slowly dwindling down, and I definitely felt like I put a little bit more pressure on myself to do better".

The New York Times - Sports

RC3 is keeping the game live for now — but those $0.99 download proceeds are going to start dwindling down fast if they don't come up with a plan B.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

That has dwindled down".

The New York Times

"Those numbers now dwindle down to six.

The New York Times

As the games dwindle down, it's another lost opportunity".

The New York Times - Sports

ANAHEIM The nights dwindle down, and for the Rangers there is no margin of error.

The New York Times - Sports

I think my start to this year has meant everything has sort of dwindled down anyway.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dwindling down" to describe a gradual reduction in number, size, or importance. It's effective when emphasizing that the decrease happens slowly over time, such as "The crowd was dwindling down as the night wore on".

Common error

Avoid using "dwindling down" for sudden or abrupt decreases. This phrase emphasizes a gradual reduction. For rapid drops, consider alternatives like "plummeted" or "collapsed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dwindling down" functions as a phrasal verb, specifically an intransitive one, modifying the verb and describing a state of gradual reduction. The Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dwindling down" is a grammatically sound phrasal verb used to portray a gradual decrease. While Ludwig AI verifies its correctness, its neutral to informal register makes it most suitable for news, media, and general conversational contexts. For more formal or scientific writing, consider alternatives like "decreasing gradually" or "tapering off”. Be mindful not to use "dwindling down" for sudden drops, and leverage its imagery to convey the protracted nature of reduction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decreasing gradually

Emphasizes the gradual nature of the reduction.

tapering off

Suggests a gradual decline, often used in contexts like sales or participation.

shrinking steadily

Highlights the consistent and ongoing decrease.

gradually reducing

Directly states the action of reducing over time.

diminishing bit by bit

Stresses the incremental nature of the decrease.

fading away

Implies a loss of visibility or importance alongside the reduction.

lessening over time

Focuses on the temporal aspect of the reduction.

petering out

Suggests a slow and uncertain end to something.

becoming scarce

Shifts the focus to the resulting scarcity from the reduction.

abating slowly

Highlights a gradual reduction in intensity or severity.

FAQs

How can I use "dwindling down" in a sentence?

You can use "dwindling down" to describe a gradual decrease in quantity, size, or intensity. For instance, "The support for the policy was "dwindling down" as more people learned about its potential consequences."

What's a synonym for "dwindling down"?

Alternatives for "dwindling down" include "decreasing gradually", "tapering off", or "shrinking steadily", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say something is "dwindling down"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "dwindling down" is usable in written English to describe a gradual decrease or reduction.

What's the difference between "dwindling down" and "decreasing"?

"Decreasing" generally refers to any reduction, while "dwindling down" implies a gradual and often prolonged reduction process. The phrase "dwindling down" suggests a more passive and less forceful reduction than simply "decreasing".