economic depression

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'economic depression' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a period of time in which the economy of a country is experiencing a downturn or decline. For example, "The US experienced an economic depression in 2008 that had a ripple effect across the global economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Political upheaval followed economic depression.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Economic depression may then follow recession".

The Economist

It is causing an economic depression.

The New York Times

Europe is not in economic depression.

The Guardian

This will help during these times of economic depression.

University of California, Berkeley

Millions of Americans are stuck in an economic depression.

The New York Times

Many fear an economic depression when foreign spending dries up.

The Economist

By 1854 Melbourne was suffering from a severe economic depression.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The voters wanted an end to wartime austerity, and no return to prewar economic depression.

The Guardian

When Jan Tian emigrated to Canada in 1982, he found a country ravaged by economic depression.

The Guardian - Tech

Wasn't QE meant to be an emergency measure to stave off an economic depression?

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "economic depression", provide specific context regarding the geographical area, the duration, and the impacted sectors to add clarity and depth to your analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "economic depression" and "recession" interchangeably. While both describe economic downturns, an "economic depression" is far more severe and prolonged. A recession involves a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, normally visible in real GDP growth, real personal income, employment, industrial production, and wholesale-retail sales. A depression is a more extreme version of these conditions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "economic depression" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig examples show it describing a state of prolonged and severe economic downturn. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is valid for describing times of economic decline.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

22%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "economic depression" is a widely recognized term used to describe a severe and prolonged downturn in economic activity. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts. While similar to a "recession", an "economic depression" is more extreme and long-lasting. It's important to use the term accurately, providing specific context and avoiding interchangeable use with milder terms. Ludwig examples from sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and Encyclopedia Britannica demonstrate its common usage in news, encyclopedias, and academic discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severe economic downturn

Emphasizes the severity of the economic decline.

major economic slump

Focuses on a sudden and significant drop in economic activity.

protracted economic contraction

Highlights the extended period of economic decline.

period of economic hardship

Stresses the difficulties experienced during the economic downturn.

deep recession

Indicates a recession that is particularly severe and long-lasting.

economic crisis

Signifies a critical turning point in economic activity.

financial collapse

Focuses on the breakdown of financial systems.

economic stagnation

Highlights a prolonged period of little or no economic growth.

business depression

Highlights negative business activity.

market crash

Indicates a sudden and significant decline in the stock market.

FAQs

How does an "economic depression" differ from a recession?

An "economic depression" is a more severe and prolonged downturn than a "recession". Depressions involve larger declines in economic activity, higher unemployment, and can last for many years.

What are some key indicators of an "economic depression"?

Key indicators include a sharp decline in GDP, high unemployment rates, deflation, and widespread business failures. These conditions persist over an extended period during an "economic depression".

What are the potential causes of an "economic depression"?

Causes can include financial crises, asset bubbles bursting, significant declines in consumer demand, and external shocks such as wars or pandemics that disrupt global trade and economic activity, leading to an "economic depression".

Are there any historical examples of "economic depression"?

Yes, the Great Depression of the 1930s is the most well-known example of an "economic depression". Other periods, such as the Long Depression of the late 19th century, are also considered "economic depression".