fall by one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fall by one" is not a standard expression in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where something decreases or diminishes by a single unit, but it is not commonly recognized. Example: "The team's score will fall by one if they miss the penalty."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Turning clock forwards (on spring) or backwards (on fall) by one hour presumably impacts our circadian rhythms.

BMC Public Health

Early repayment charges start at 5% in the first year and fall by one percentage point each year.

The Guardian - Money

G.M., for example, has said that if interest rates fall by one percentage point, its pension deficit will grow by $7 billion.

The New York Times

Under the government's scheme, the cost of loans to small businesses should fall by one percentage point, according to Treasury projections, although this may be less if the government does decide to levy a fee for the guarantee.

The Guardian

The officers have said that initial mistake was part of a series of events, including a fall by one of the officers, that created a misperception that they were in a gunfight.

The New York Times

Under the government's scheme, the cost of loans to small businesses should fall by one percentage point, according to the Treasury's projections, although this may be less if the government does decide to levy a fee for the guarantee.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

But it warned on Monday that profits would fall by one-third this year.

The New York Times

The price of a cheeseburger will fall by one-third, to 79 yen.

The New York Times

The working-age population is already shrinking, and is projected to fall by one-tenth over the next two decades.

The Economist

To break the buck, its value must fall by one-half of 1 percent, to 99.5 cents a share.

The New York Times

And if Cyprus does leave the euro, the economists I've consulted believe that prices relative to sterling should fall by one-third or more.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fall by one", ensure the context clearly indicates a reduction of a single unit. Consider if a more common alternative like "decrease by one" would be clearer for your audience.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "fall by one" can sound slightly awkward in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "go down by one" or "drop by one" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fall by one" functions as a verb phrase indicating a decrease or reduction of a single unit. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in contexts involving numerical or quantifiable values.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "fall by one" is grammatically acceptable and understandable, Ludwig AI suggests that it's not the most common or stylistically versatile choice. The analysis indicates that it is mostly found in News & Media and Science contexts and there are more widely used alternatives such as "decrease by one" or "drop by one" that might be clearer and more appropriate depending on the specific context. When employing "fall by one", ensure clarity and consider whether a more familiar synonym would better serve your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decrease by one

Emphasizes a numerical reduction, making it suitable in mathematical or statistical contexts.

drop by one

Implies a sudden or abrupt decrease, often used when describing a rapid decline.

decline by one

Suggests a gradual decrease over time, appropriate for trends and long-term changes.

reduce by one

Highlights the act of intentionally making something smaller by a single unit.

lessen by one

Indicates a reduction in size, extent, or degree by a single increment.

diminish by one

Suggests a gradual fading or reduction in importance or quantity.

go down by one

A more informal way to express a decrease of one unit.

slip by one

Implies a slight and often unnoticed decrease.

lower by one

Highlights the action of bringing something down to a lower level by one unit.

descend by one

Suggests a downward movement or decrease in a more formal or literary context.

FAQs

What does "fall by one" mean?

The phrase "fall by one" means to decrease or reduce by a single unit or increment. It indicates a reduction of one in quantity, value, or level.

What can I say instead of "fall by one"?

You can use alternatives like "decrease by one", "drop by one", or "decline by one" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "fall by one percentage point"?

Yes, it is correct. This phrase is frequently used in financial and economic contexts to describe a decrease in percentage values, as shown in examples from reputable sources.

How formal is the phrase "fall by one"?

The phrase "fall by one" is relatively neutral in formality, suitable for both news reporting and scientific writing, but more common alternatives may be preferable in very informal situations.