fluctuate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "fluctuate" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is used to describe when something is changing between different values or levels. For example, "The stock market has been known to fluctuate rapidly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The numbers fluctuate daily, but on Tuesday afternoon it had 905 registered migrants, including 142 minors, both with families and without.

The Guardian

But one of those surveyed, Marlon Alaniz, explained how yields fluctuate between farms even within a given year, making life even more unpredictable.

The Guardian

Although weight loss is what my body needs, it feels like a massive trauma, and my energy levels fluctuate dramatically.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's not unusual in political campaigns, or indeed on budget days, for the value of the pound to fluctuate.

The Guardian

These quarterly statistics always fluctuate.

The Guardian

They can fluctuate sharply from week to week.

The Guardian

Most of the newcomers offer automatic rebalancing of portfolios, so an investor's exposure to stocks or bonds stays much the same even as prices fluctuate.

The Economist

The order that arises spontaneously from markets, whereby prices are allowed to fluctuate freely with supply and demand, is a natural wonder admired by libertarians and non-libertarians alike.

The Economist

Rarity depends on the whims of weather and demand can fluctuate.

The Economist

"Forward-thinking stuff that fuses hip hop, electronic music, and reggae with more traditional sounds".Sales fluctuate.

The Economist

The figures fluctuate a great deal, so too much should not be read into a single year's results.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing market trends or economic data, use "fluctuate" to indicate irregular variations rather than steady or predictable changes.

Common error

Avoid using "fluctuate" when describing slow, consistent changes. "Fluctuate" implies erratic, unpredictable movement, not a linear progression.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "fluctuate" is as a verb. It describes the action of something varying irregularly. Ludwig's examples confirm its use in diverse contexts to denote unstable movement or shifts in value.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

32%

Science

31%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fluctuate" is a versatile verb used to describe irregular variations or changes, predominantly in news, business, and scientific contexts. According to Ludwig AI, the word is grammatically correct and commonly used. While interchangeable with terms like "vary" and "oscillate", it's important to avoid using "fluctuate" for gradual, consistent changes. Its frequent presence in authoritative sources like The Economist and The Guardian underscores its reliability and appropriateness in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vary

This term indicates a change or difference within a range, similar to "fluctuate" but often less suggestive of erratic movement.

oscillate

This word emphasizes a regular back-and-forth movement or variation, whereas "fluctuate" can be more irregular.

waver

This suggests instability or hesitation, implying a less defined pattern than "fluctuate".

rise and fall

This phrase captures the up-and-down movement inherent in "fluctuate", but is less formal.

seesaw

Implies a balanced alteration in 2 opposite direction, while fluctuate can imply erratic movement in one direction.

go up and down

A simpler, more direct way to describe the changing levels.

shift

Focuses on the change itself rather than the irregular pattern.

change

This is a general term for becoming different, less specific than "fluctuate".

undulate

Describes a wave-like motion or appearance, which is a more specific type of variation than "fluctuate".

ebb and flow

This phrase evokes a rhythmic increase and decrease, similar to tides, and is often used metaphorically.

FAQs

How to use "fluctuate" in a sentence?

You can use "fluctuate" to describe something that varies irregularly. For example: "The stock prices "fluctuate" daily" or "Her mood tends to "fluctuate" depending on the weather".

What can I say instead of "fluctuate"?

You can use alternatives like "vary", "oscillate", or "rise and fall" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "fluctuate" or "stay constant"?

These two terms are antonyms. "Fluctuate" means to vary irregularly, while "stay constant" means to remain unchanged. The correct choice depends on the situation you're describing.

What's the difference between "change" and "fluctuate"?

"Change" is a general term for becoming different, while "fluctuate" specifically implies an irregular or wavering pattern of change. Not all changes are fluctuations, but all fluctuations are changes.