ever shrinking

USAGE SUMMARY

"ever shrinking" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is getting smaller over time, or something that is decreasing in size. For example, "The ever shrinking ice caps have led to an increase in sea levels around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

City Hall must stretch ever shrinking revenues.

The Economist

Doesn't poetry seem just right for our ever shrinking attention spans?

The New York Times

WHILE hand-held electronic gadgets are ever shrinking, their ambitions are ever growing.

The New York Times - Tech

The deal would put American and United Airlines atop an ever shrinking list of national carriers.

The New York Times

The trend toward self-reinforcing inequality is especially apparent in education, an ever shrinking ladder for upward mobility.

The New York Times

"The sort of 'smart' toys I see in development appear to be aimed at an ever shrinking market.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

I'm afraid the innovation and common sense will get swamped by 'Sure, cut the budget, just not mine.' The ever-shrinking budget will be an ever-shrinking life boat where people get more and more vicious to stay inside.

Huffington Post

The franchise's finances — with a world of debt, a slashed payroll, ever-shrinking attendance — are imperiled.

The New York Times - Sports

But ever-rising student numbers then met ever-shrinking budgets, so the reforms backfired.

The Economist

There is, apparently, going to be a "revolution" in the world of men's ever-shrinking underpants.

Independent

In fact, the state-owned banks are of ever-shrinking relevance.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ever shrinking", ensure the context clearly indicates a continuous decline or reduction over time. For example, "the ever shrinking budget" implies the budget is consistently getting smaller.

Common error

Avoid using "ever shrinking" to describe a one-time reduction. This phrase implies a persistent, ongoing process of becoming smaller, not a singular event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ever shrinking" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes a continuous process of reduction or decline. Ludwig confirms the phrase's correct usage in written English, exemplified by numerous instances where it modifies nouns like 'revenues', 'attention spans', and 'markets'.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ever shrinking" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjective phrase that denotes a continuous process of reduction or decline. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage, highlighting its presence in diverse contexts such as news, science, and business. Its primary function is to emphasize the ongoing nature of a diminishing trend, often conveying concern about the implications of this reduction. While frequently appearing in news and media, it maintains a neutral to formal tone, suitable for various audiences. Alternatives such as "steadily declining" or "continuously contracting" can be employed for semantic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

constantly diminishing

Replaces "shrinking" with "diminishing," emphasizing a gradual reduction.

gradually decreasing

Substitutes "shrinking" with "decreasing," highlighting a step-by-step decline.

steadily declining

Replaces "shrinking" with "declining," suggesting a consistent downward trend.

continuously contracting

Uses "contracting" instead of "shrinking," focusing on the process of becoming smaller.

progressively reducing

Emphasizes the incremental nature of the reduction, using "reducing" as an alternative.

incessantly waning

Replaces "shrinking" with "waning," implying a fading or diminishing quality.

relentlessly diminishing

Emphasizes the persistent nature of the decrease, using "diminishing" to convey reduction.

ceaselessly dwindling

Substitutes "shrinking" with "dwindling," focusing on a gradual reduction to a small amount.

persistently diminishing

Highlights the ongoing nature of the decrease, using "diminishing" to express the reduction.

unremittingly contracting

Replaces "shrinking" with "contracting," suggesting a continuous and unstoppable process of reduction.

FAQs

How can I use "ever shrinking" in a sentence?

You can use "ever shrinking" to describe something that is continuously decreasing in size or quantity. For example, "The ever shrinking availability of affordable housing is a growing concern."

What is a good alternative to "ever shrinking"?

Alternatives include "steadily declining", "gradually decreasing", or "continuously contracting", depending on the specific context.

Is "ever shrinking" grammatically correct?

Yes, "ever shrinking" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something continuously becoming smaller.

What does "ever shrinking" imply?

"Ever shrinking" implies a continuous and ongoing process of reduction or decline, not a one-time event.