fall by

USAGE SUMMARY

"fall by" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a decrease in something, such as numbers, percentage, or value. Here is an example sentence: "The stock prices fell by 10% after the company's earnings report disappointed investors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

SILENT FALL, by Barbara Freethy.

The New York Times

The police budget will fall by 20%.

The Economist

Schooling will probably fall by the wayside.

The Economist

GDP could fall by 10% this year.

The Economist

Public-sector salaries will fall by 15%.

The Economist

in the fall by Harper & Row.

The New Yorker

How much did they fall by?

The New Yorker

STONE'S FALL, by Iain Pears.

The New York Times - Books

THE FALL, by Simon Mawer.

The New York Times - Books

Transport's budget will fall by 37 per cent.

Independent

Revenue is expected to fall by 0.3 percent.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fall by" to describe numerical decreases, always specify the unit of measurement (e.g. percentage, amount, degree) to provide clarity and context.

Common error

Avoid using "fall by" interchangeably with phrases like "fall for" (meaning to be deceived or attracted to), or "fall down" (meaning to physically collapse). While they share the word "fall", their meanings are vastly different.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "fall by" functions primarily as an intransitive verb indicating a decrease in quantity, value, or level. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its common usage in describing reductions, as seen in examples like "GDP could fall by 10% this year."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fall by" is a commonly used phrasal verb that signifies a decrease or reduction. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a wide variety of contexts, particularly within news and media, formal business settings, and scientific reports. Its primary function is to report factual declines, making it a valuable tool for precise communication. While it's a versatile phrase, it's important to avoid confusion with similar-sounding phrases like "fall for" or "fall down", which have different meanings. When employing "fall by", be sure to specify the relevant units to enhance clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decrease by

Emphasizes a measurable reduction or decline in quantity or value.

decline by

Suggests a gradual decrease or deterioration over time.

recede by

Implies a movement backward or a decrease from a previous high point.

diminish by

Highlights a reduction in size, importance, or intensity.

drop by

While literally meaning to visit briefly, it can figuratively mean to decrease quickly.

lessen by

Focuses on the act of making something smaller or less significant.

slump by

Indicates a sudden and significant decline, often in an economic context.

plummet by

Suggests a rapid and dramatic fall.

sink by

Implies a gradual descent or decline.

erode by

Conveys a gradual wearing away or decline, often over a long period.

FAQs

How can I use "fall by" in a sentence?

You can use "fall by" to describe a decrease or decline in something. For example, "The company's profits "fell by" 15% this quarter."

What are some alternatives to "fall by"?

Alternatives include phrases like "decrease by", "decline by", or "drop by", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "fallen by" instead of "fall by"?

The correct form depends on the tense you intend to use. "Fall by" is used in the present or future tense, while ""fell by"" is used in the past tense, and "fallen by" is used with auxiliary verbs like 'has' or 'have'.

What's the difference between "fall by the wayside" and "fall by"?

"Fall by" generally indicates a measurable decrease. "Fall by the wayside" means to fail to succeed or be forgotten, implying a different meaning altogether.