experience a decline

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "experience a decline" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to a decrease in the quantity or quality of something, usually over a period of time. Example sentence: Sales of the company's flagship product experienced a significant decline during the past financial year.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The company says that schools using the service for several years experience a decline in plagiarism.

The New York Times

Between now and 2030, several middle-income countries will experience a decline in the share of the working-age population.

The Guardian

There is some evidence that firms scale back their employment and experience a decline in sales growth.

The Economist

Women who breast-feed for six months or more experience a decline in income with long-reaching effects.

The New York Times

Men who undergo radiation and brachytherapy may experience a decline in erectile function two or more years after treatment, whereas men who undergo surgery may experience improvement.

The New York Times

It appears El Salvador, the only country in Central America to experience a decline in foreign investment last year, was preparing to answer yes.

The New York Times

Researchers have found that Southerners there also are more likely to experience a decline in cognitive ability over several years — specifically, problems with memory and orientation.

The New York Times - Health

Owners think they need the additional money to invest in things like new stadiums and that current players would not experience a decline in overall compensation.

The New York Times - Sports

According to industry insiders, bookings to Greece, Spain and Portugal have seen a spike, while resorts in Tunisia and Egypt continue to experience a decline in visitor numbers.

The Guardian - Travel

From an agricultural perspective, once they are cultivated these soils experience a decline in soil fertility.

International Journal of Coal Science & Technology

Failing plants, on the other hand, experience a decline in both the average wage and productivity.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a decline, specify the subject that is experiencing the decline and, if possible, quantify the extent of the decline (e.g., "The company experienced a 15% decline in sales").

Common error

Avoid using "experience a decline" when you mean to say something is causing a decline. "The new policy caused a decline in morale" is correct, while "The new policy experienced a decline in morale" is incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "experience a decline" functions as a verb phrase indicating that a subject undergoes a process of decreasing or deteriorating. Ludwig shows numerous examples of this phrase used to describe reductions in various contexts, such as economic downturns, health deterioration and decreases in performance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "experience a decline" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a decrease or deterioration in something, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's versatile, fitting well in contexts ranging from science and news to business. While simple and effective, consider using synonyms like "suffer a decrease" or "undergo a reduction" for variety. Remember that, according to writing guidance, it's crucial to use the phrase correctly, ensuring that the subject actively undergoes the decline and not causes it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undergo a reduction

This alternative uses "undergo" instead of "experience", emphasizing the passive nature of the decline.

suffer a decrease

This alternative replaces "experience" with "suffer", suggesting a negative impact from the decline.

see a downturn

This alternative uses business-related terminology ("downturn") for a decline.

witness a drop

This alternative replaces "experience" with "witness", emphasizing the observation of the decline.

go through a fall

This alternative uses a more direct, physical metaphor to describe the decline.

decline

This is a shortened, more concise version using the verb form of "decline".

diminish

This alternative is a single verb suggesting a gradual reduction in something.

deteriorate

This alternative focuses on the worsening quality or condition.

decrease

This is a single verb suggesting the reduction in quantity or amount.

wane

This alternative suggests a gradual decrease in power, influence, or intensity.

FAQs

How can I use "experience a decline" in a sentence?

Use "experience a decline" to describe a decrease or downturn in something. For example, "The housing market experienced a decline in prices last quarter." You can use alternative expressions like "undergo a reduction" or "suffer a decrease".

What's a more formal way to say "experience a decline"?

In formal contexts, consider using "undergo a reduction" or "witness a drop". These alternatives maintain a professional tone while conveying the same meaning of decreasing.

What can I say instead of "experience a decline" to emphasize a negative impact?

If you want to emphasize the negative impact of the decline, use "suffer a decrease" or "deteriorate". These options convey that the decline has adverse consequences.

Is it correct to say "experienced by a decline" instead of "experience a decline"?

No, "experienced by a decline" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrase is "experience a decline", where the subject (e.g., a company, a market) experiences the decrease. The alternative form is not standard English.