fall sharply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fall sharply" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a sudden and significant decrease in something, such as a prices, temperatures, or numbers. Example: The stock market saw a significant decline today, with prices falling sharply in the last hour of trading.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bank shares fall sharply.

The Guardian - Business

Foreign investment is likely to fall sharply.

The Economist

Nighttime temperatures tend to fall sharply.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Economically, the drachma's value would fall sharply.

The New York Times

Growth is forecast to fall sharply this year.

The Economist

Several developing economies have seen their currencies fall sharply too.

The Economist

He said inflation was likely to fall sharply again.

The Economist

Deregulation has caused petrol prices to fall sharply.

The Economist

Were productivity growth to fall sharply, that could change.

The Economist

Then it wobbled, and began to fall sharply.

The Economist

Indonesia's output is forecast to fall sharply this year.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fall sharply" when you want to emphasize a rapid and significant decline, whether in numbers, prices, temperatures, or other measurable quantities.

Common error

While "fall sharply" is appropriate for news and formal writing, consider less dramatic alternatives like "decrease quickly" or "drop fast" in casual conversation to avoid sounding overly formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fall sharply" functions as a verb phrase, modifying a noun to describe the manner in which it decreases. Ludwig examples show it accurately depicts rapid reductions in measurable quantities such as prices or temperatures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fall sharply" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a rapid and significant decrease. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for formal contexts such as news reports and analytical articles, where precision is important. Its primary function is to emphasize the speed and magnitude of a decline, conveying a sense of urgency. While it is most frequently used in news and media, it also appears in scientific and business contexts. For less formal situations, consider alternatives like "drop suddenly" or "plummet" to maintain a natural tone. Understanding these nuances can help writers choose the most appropriate language for their specific needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plummet steeply

Suggests a very dramatic and rapid fall.

collapse suddenly

Suggests an unexpected and complete failure or drop.

take a nosedive

Implies a sudden and precipitous drop, often in a figurative sense.

decline rapidly

Emphasizes the speed of the decline.

slump dramatically

Conveys a sense of sudden and negative decline, often with economic implications.

decrease significantly

Focuses on the magnitude of the decrease rather than the speed.

drop substantially

Highlights the amount of the drop.

contract severely

Often used in economic contexts to describe a reduction in size or activity.

slide downwards

Indicates a continuous, often uncontrolled, decline.

shrink considerably

Focuses on the reduction in size or quantity.

FAQs

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

You can use "fall sharply" to describe a rapid and significant decline. For example, "Stock prices "fall sharply" during a market correction" or "Temperatures "fall sharply" overnight due to a cold front".

What's the difference between "fall sharply" and "decline gradually"?

"Fall sharply" indicates a sudden and steep decrease, while "decline gradually" implies a slow and steady reduction. The former suggests a rapid change, whereas the latter suggests a more prolonged trend.

Which is more appropriate, "fall sharply" or "decrease significantly"?

Both phrases are appropriate, but "fall sharply" emphasizes the speed of the decline, while "decrease significantly" emphasizes the magnitude. Choose the phrase that best fits the context of your sentence. For instance, use "decrease significantly" when the amount is more important than the speed.

What can I say instead of "fall sharply" to sound less formal?

For less formal alternatives, consider using phrases like "drop suddenly", "plummet", or "take a nosedive", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.