falling wages

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "falling wages" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun phrase that describes the decrease in the amount of money that workers are earning. Example: In the midst of a recession, many companies are struggling to stay afloat, resulting in falling wages for their employees.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Expectations for falling wages have become entrenched.

The New York Times

Concern about falling wages isn't just theory.

The New York Times

Over the recession many people have struggled with falling wages.

The Guardian - Opinion

This suggests that Japanese households are growing more confident, despite another year of falling wages.

The Economist

Others will endure stagnant or even falling wages, as employers measure their output with "oppressive precision".

The Economist

While that is positive, it came about partly because of high unemployment and falling wages.

The New York Times

Ultimately, there is a danger that deflation — falling wages and prices — will snowball into a depression.

The New York Times

Beyond that, falling wages mean falling incomes, while debt stays the same.

The New York Times

Was that an ironic gesture in a city of failing bankers and falling wages?

The New York Times

That could only make sense in a world of falling wages.

The Economist

So what we would see is rising profits and falling wages.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic trends, use "falling wages" to clearly indicate a decrease in earnings. Provide context by explaining the reasons behind the decline, such as recession, automation, or globalization.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "falling wages" are solely responsible for economic downturns. While they can contribute to decreased consumer spending, other factors like unemployment and inflation also play significant roles. Establish relationships carefully.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "falling wages" functions as a noun phrase typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes a situation where the amount of money workers earn is decreasing. Ludwig examples show it often modifies a clause to explain economic events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "falling wages" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a decrease in worker compensation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, to analyze negative economic trends. While appropriate for neutral and formal use, it's essential to avoid misinterpreting correlation as causation when discussing its impact. Related phrases include "wage decline" and "decreasing pay". To effectively use this phrase, provide clear context on the underlying reasons for the decline and understand its potential consequences, like decreased consumer spending and increased debt. Understanding the prevalence and context of "falling wages" is crucial for effectively communicating about economic issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Wage decline

Focuses on the act of wages decreasing.

Decreasing pay

Emphasizes the reduction in monetary compensation.

Pay cuts

Refers to specific instances where wages are reduced.

Wage stagnation

Highlights the lack of wage growth rather than a direct decrease.

Reduced salaries

Focuses specifically on salaried positions experiencing a decrease.

Declining income

Broadens the scope to include all forms of income, not just wages.

Income reduction

Similar to “declining income”, but emphasizes the act of reduction.

Erosion of wages

Implies a gradual decrease in the value or purchasing power of wages.

Wage erosion

Synonymous with “erosion of wages”, implying a gradual loss in wage value.

Shrinking paychecks

Uses a more informal term to describe the reduction in wages.

FAQs

What are some potential consequences of "falling wages"?

Potential consequences of "falling wages" include decreased consumer spending, increased debt burden, and a higher risk of deflation. These issues can create a negative feedback loop that is difficult to break.

How do economists measure "falling wages"?

Economists typically measure "falling wages" by tracking average hourly earnings, median weekly earnings, and real wage growth. These metrics provide insights into the overall trend of wage levels in the economy.

What can governments do to address the issue of "falling wages"?

Governments can implement policies such as increasing the minimum wage, providing job training programs, and investing in education to address "falling wages". Additionally, policies that promote economic growth and reduce income inequality can help boost wage levels.

What's the difference between "falling wages" and "wage stagnation"?

"Falling wages" refers to an actual decrease in the amount workers earn, while "wage stagnation" means that wages are not increasing, even if they are not decreasing. Falling wages represent a decline, stagnation represents a lack of growth.