from a trough of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "from a trough of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is taken or derived from a low point or a source of abundance, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The artist drew inspiration from a trough of despair, channeling her emotions into her work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Mr Bush's approval rating has lifted to 44%, up from a trough of 31% in May.

The Economist

House prices rose sharply and so did inflation, from a trough of just over 2% in 1986 to almost 10% in 1990.

The Guardian - Business

Sales of cars and light trucks have increased from a trough of 10.5 million in 2009 to 15.6 million last year.

Independent

It's hard to pick out the low point from a trough of tearful gloom but it was probably when I was alone in the house and there was a persistent ringing at the bell which I ignored.

The Guardian - Travel

The number of mortgage approvals, however, rose by almost 8% to 47,600, up from a trough of 27,400 last November.Mortgage lenders are fast dividing into two camps: those that are burdened with baggage and those that are not.

The Economist

Like the stock market, this sector had been on fire for most of the 1990s, with the aggregate yearly value of deals rising more than tenfold, from a trough of $125 billion in 1992 to $1.7 trillion in 2000, according to Thomson Financial.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

MAP dropped from 89 [73–95]mmHg at baseline to a trough of 70 [60 81] mmHg (p = 0.01 vs baseline) during the last step of recruitment, was 70 [69 77] mmHg at open-lung PEEP, and was 79 [67 84] mmHg 24 h later.

Annals of Intensive Care

"No one was looking at vintage Azzaro before Cameron appeared with a trough of it he got from God-knows-which old lady who was slinky once.

The New Yorker

A large upper-level low separated from a trough north of Puerto Rico in early July.

Wikipedia

It developed on October 18 as an unusually large disturbance from a trough south of Hawaii.

Wikipedia

On August 5, Tropical Depression Three formed off the coast of South Carolina from a surface trough of low pressure – the same trough that spawned Tropical Storm Bertha in the Gulf of Mexico.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "from a trough of" to clearly indicate a point of origin that represents a low value or a state of scarcity before a period of improvement or increase. For example, "economic growth from a trough of recession".

Common error

Avoid using "from a trough of" in contexts that do not genuinely involve a low point or a state of depletion. Overusing the phrase in situations that are merely 'average' or 'ordinary' dilutes its impact and can sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "from a trough of" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. It indicates the origin or starting point of something, emphasizing that it began at a low level or point. Ludwig AI shows numerous examples of this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "from a trough of" is a prepositional phrase used to describe a recovery or increase originating from a low point. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for both neutral and professional contexts, particularly in news, wiki, and scientific writing. While the phrase is not exceptionally common, it effectively emphasizes the magnitude of the improvement. When writing, ensure that the context genuinely involves a significant low point before using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

emerging from a low point

Focuses on the recovery aspect, emphasizing the starting point as a low value.

rising from a nadir

Replaces "trough" with "nadir", which also means the lowest point.

originating from a low level

Highlights the starting point and implies a subsequent increase or development.

developing from a minimum

Emphasizes the evolution and growth from a baseline point.

increasing from a valley

Uses "valley" as a metaphor for a low point, similar to "trough".

recovering from a slump

Focuses on the recovery after a period of decline.

stemming from a depression

Implies the source is a period of economic or emotional hardship.

beginning at a low ebb

Uses "low ebb" to describe a state of decline or weakness.

ascending from a low

Highlights the upward movement from a base level.

growing out of a deficit

Implies progress and expansion from a state of lacking.

FAQs

How can I use "from a trough of" in a sentence?

You can use "from a trough of" to describe a situation where something increases or recovers after reaching a low point. For example, "The company's profits rose "emerging from a low point" after the recession."

What are some alternatives to "from a trough of"?

Some alternatives include "rising from a nadir", "originating from a low level", or "recovering from a slump". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "from a trough of"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that something started at a particularly low point and then improved. It's often used in economic or statistical contexts to show recovery or growth "developing from a minimum".

Is "from a trough of" formal or informal language?

"From a trough of" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is generally more common in analytical or descriptive writing, such as news articles or economic reports. Consider the audience and context to ensure it fits "increasing from a valley".