fell significantly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fell significantly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a notable decrease or decline in a particular metric or value. Example: "The company's profits fell significantly last quarter due to increased competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The ratings fell significantly.

The New York Times

Second-quarter earnings fell "significantly".

The New York Times

In March retail prices fell significantly.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Crime and brutality complaints fell significantly.

The New Yorker

This found her basic salary fell "significantly below the median".

The Guardian

The turnaround time under the new system fell significantly.

The New York Times

Several big-name manufacturers fell significantly on Tuesday.

The New York Times

As oil gained, several consumer-oriented companies fell significantly.

The New York Times

Orders for durable goods fell significantly (pdf) in March.

The New York Times

Numbers fell significantly, and then stayed flat, until... well, until this recession hit".

The Guardian

"The process established prior to March fell significantly short of our expectations.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a decrease, consider the context and choose a verb that accurately reflects the speed and magnitude of the change. "Fell significantly" is suitable for substantial but not necessarily abrupt declines.

Common error

Avoid using "fell significantly" when the decrease is minimal or statistically insignificant. Ensure the decline is substantial enough to warrant the adverb "significantly."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fell significantly" functions as a modifier indicating the extent to which something has decreased. It combines a verb ("fell") describing the action of decreasing with an adverb ("significantly") emphasizing the magnitude of the decrease. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fell significantly" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a considerable decrease. Ludwig AI confirms that it's widely used across diverse contexts, especially in news, science, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure that the decrease is genuinely substantial. Alternatives include "declined substantially" or "dropped considerably", offering nuanced options for varying contexts. While versatile, it's essential to avoid overstating the significance of the decline, ensuring its use aligns with the magnitude of the change being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

declined substantially

Emphasizes a considerable decrease, focusing on the extent of the change.

dropped considerably

Highlights a noticeable reduction, suggesting a marked downward shift.

decreased markedly

Focuses on the conspicuous nature of the reduction, indicating it's easily observed.

plummeted sharply

Suggests a rapid and dramatic fall, implying a sudden drop.

slipped noticeably

Indicates a perceptible decrease, though perhaps not as severe as others.

diminished greatly

Highlights the extent of the reduction, focusing on a substantial lessening.

receded considerably

Implies a gradual decline, often used in contexts like water levels or economic indicators.

contracted substantially

Suggests a reduction in size or scope, often used in economic or business contexts.

waned appreciably

Indicates a decline in strength or intensity, suggesting a weakening over time.

lessened remarkably

Emphasizes the striking nature of the decrease, indicating it's quite noticeable.

FAQs

How can I use "fell significantly" in a sentence?

You can use "fell significantly" to describe a notable decrease in something. For example: "The company's profits fell significantly last quarter."

What are some alternatives to "fell significantly"?

Alternatives include phrases like "declined substantially", "dropped considerably", or "decreased markedly". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it appropriate to use "fell significantly" in formal writing?

Yes, "fell significantly" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to describe a substantial decrease.

What is the difference between "fell significantly" and "fell slightly"?

"Fell significantly" indicates a large and noticeable decrease, while "fell slightly" suggests a small and perhaps less important reduction.