going down

USAGE SUMMARY

"going down" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a downward movement or direction, both physically and metaphorically. For example: - "The elevator is going down to the lobby." - "The sun was slowly going down behind the mountains." - "The stock market is going down, causing investors to panic." - "I can feel my energy levels going down after a long day at work." Essentially, "going down" can be used in any context where something is moving or decreasing in a downward direction.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Going down.

The Guardian

Going down for what?

The New York Times

VOLATILE, but going down.

The Economist

It's going down".

The New York Times

"We're going down".

The New Yorker

"But it's going down.

The New Yorker

Not going down.

The New York Times - Magazine

Sun going down.

The Guardian

ISIS is going down".

The New Yorker

"Going down, going down, going down," the Everton crowd chortled.

The New York Times - Sports

"But I wasn't going down".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "going down" to describe literal downward movement, such as an elevator "going down" or the sun "going down". It can also effectively portray abstract declines, such as a stock market "going down" or morale "going down".

Common error

Avoid using "going down" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or sophisticated vocabulary might be preferred. Consider alternatives like "descending", "decreasing", or "declining" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going down" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often used as a present participle to describe an ongoing action or state. As Ludwig AI indicates, it depicts a downward movement or decline, both literally and figuratively.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "going down" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that describes both literal and figurative declines or descents. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. While it's prevalent in news and media, and acceptable in neutral contexts, it might be too informal for highly formal or scientific writing. Consider alternatives like "descending", "declining", or "decreasing" to maintain a professional tone in such settings. With 63 real-world examples, its frequent usage is well-documented across various reputable sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

descending

Single word synonym emphasizing the downward movement.

declining

Highlights a decrease in quality, quantity, or condition.

decreasing

Focuses on the reduction in number or amount.

falling

Emphasizes a rapid or sudden downward movement or drop.

plummeting

Suggests a steep and rapid decline, often in a negative context.

collapsing

Implies a sudden failure or breakdown.

sinking

Describes a gradual descent or submergence.

deteriorating

Focuses on the worsening of a situation or condition.

spiraling downward

Emphasizes a continuous and worsening decline.

on the decline

A broader expression indicating a general downward trend.

FAQs

How can I use "going down" in a sentence?

"Going down" can describe physical movement, like "The elevator is going down", or abstract concepts, such as "The company's profits are going down".

What are some alternatives to "going down"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "descending", "declining", "decreasing", or "falling".

Is "going down" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "going down" might be too informal for some academic or professional contexts. Consider more formal synonyms like "deteriorating" or "descending".

What does it mean when someone says "it's going down"?

The phrase "it's going down" often implies that something significant or exciting is about to happen, particularly in an informal or slang context. It can also mean something is failing or deteriorating.