fluctuation

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'fluctuation' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a change or variation in the amount, number, or level of something over a period of time. For example: "The stock market has seen rapid fluctuations in prices over the past few months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On the stock market, he goes on, Brexit may lead to "a bit of fluctuation in the short term," but nothing more serious.

The Guardian

At that level of fluctuation, studies typically conclude that the number changes doesn't make a difference, so adding a few extra kids into a class won't matter.

The Guardian

Those who believe it was created by God are as free today as they were a week ago to continue in that belief, as are those who think the whole thing is the chance result of a quantum fluctuation in the nothingness beforehand.

The Economist

Letters are welcome via e-mail to [email protected] man, poor manSIR – On Robert Wade's powerful piece about the increase in global inequality (By invitation, April 28th) you say that "without longer runs of data it is hard to know whether this change is part of a well-established trend...or a short-term fluctuation" (Economics focus, April 28th).

The Economist

Taught by experience, they hew to an extravagant standard for claiming discoveries one chance in 3.5m that their data were a random fluctuation, or 5 sigma in the jargon.

The Economist

The result was a violent fluctuation in line voltage that fed back through the grid to trip switches at substations throughout the San Diego area.

The Economist

It used to be a rule of thumb that climate scientists wanted 30 years of observations before judging that something was a trend, rather than a fluctuation.

The Economist

Though the fluctuation is not vast, it is enough to make a difference from peak to trough.

The Economist

Its representative in Vietnam, Ian Howie, says data over the past three years show fluctuation but do not change the overall downward trend.This argument, however, does not appear to have done much to reassure the Politburo.

The Economist

This left them with 60 papers, including Dr Hsiang's study from 2011 on how El Niño, a worldwide fluctuation in the climate, may provoke civil war as well as inclement weather, as well as 17 working papers, including some that found no relationship between climate and violence.Finally, they performed a "meta-analysis" of the 32 papers that looked at periods after 1950.

The Economist

Of course average room rates will be affected by all manor of things—not least the proportion of posh hotels to basic ones (the survey looks at all hotels from one- to five-star) and exchange rate fluctuation.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing changes over time, use "fluctuation" to highlight irregular variations rather than consistent trends. For example, instead of saying "the steady increase," consider "the fluctuation in growth" to emphasize the inconsistent nature of the change.

Common error

Avoid using "fluctuation" when describing a consistent upward or downward movement. A "trend" indicates a general direction, while a "fluctuation" suggests irregular variations around a central point. Use "trend" if the movement is generally consistent, and "fluctuation" if there are significant ups and downs.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "fluctuation" is as a noun. It typically acts as the subject or object in a sentence, referring to the act or instance of varying irregularly. Ludwig AI confirms the correct usage and applicability of "fluctuation" in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

34%

Science

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fluctuation" is a versatile noun used to describe irregular variations or changes. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct usage across numerous contexts. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science sources, and is deemed grammatically correct and widely applicable. When using "fluctuation", be mindful of the distinction between it and other similar words like "oscillation" or "trend", and consider the specific context to choose the most accurate term. Avoid using it to describe consistent or directional movements; instead, focus on scenarios where variations are irregular and unpredictable. The term is appropriate for diverse writing styles from neutral to formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

variation

Emphasizes a difference or change in something, similar to a fluctuation but may imply a broader range.

oscillation

Implies a regular back-and-forth movement or variation, focusing on a rhythmic pattern.

variation

Highlights the act or process of varying.

shift

Indicates a change in position, direction, or tendency, suggesting a more abrupt change than a fluctuation.

swing

Suggests a movement from one extreme to another, often implying a significant change in magnitude.

wavering

Focuses on the instability or indecisiveness of something, implying a lack of firmness.

instability

Highlights a lack of stability or steadiness, suggesting a potential for sudden changes.

irregularity

Draws attention to a deviation from what is normal or expected, often implying an unpredictable pattern.

changeability

Emphasizes the capacity or tendency to change, highlighting the potential for variation.

ups and downs

Describes a series of alternating positive and negative changes, often in a less precise or quantifiable manner.

FAQs

How can I use "fluctuation" in a sentence?

You can use "fluctuation" to describe variations or changes in something over time. For example, "The stock market experienced significant fluctuations last week" or "There was a noticeable fluctuation in temperature throughout the day."

What's the difference between "fluctuation" and "oscillation"?

"Fluctuation" refers to irregular variations or changes, while "oscillation" implies a more regular, rhythmic back-and-forth movement. A fluctuation can be unpredictable, whereas an oscillation tends to follow a pattern.

What are some synonyms for "fluctuation"?

Synonyms for "fluctuation" include "variation", "oscillation", "shift", and "swing". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "fluctuation" formal or informal language?

"Fluctuation" is considered neutral to formal language. It is appropriate for use in academic, professional, and news contexts.