gradually decline

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gradually decline" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a slow or progressive decrease in quantity, quality, or intensity over time. Example: "The company's profits began to gradually decline after the market crash, leading to significant layoffs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But based on statistics, it's likely that she will gradually decline over time".

The New York Times

If it were closed to new participants, its influence would gradually decline.

The New York Times

Scientists have hypothesized that many species will gradually decline in forest fragments until they become extinct.

The New York Times - Science

The permits will be tradable, and their number will gradually decline.

The Economist

The concentrations of thyroid hormones then gradually decline, reaching adult values at the time of puberty.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The value of agricultural imports from the United States has doubled since 1994, when tariffs started to gradually decline.

The New York Times

The total carbon allowances distributed in California will gradually decline over the years, forcing more emissions cuts.

The New York Times

"If Koizumi makes his own choices and exercises leadership, the factions will gradually decline and the fences between them will disappear".

The New York Times

Increasing depth and water pressure cause the lungs of marine mammals to gradually decline in volume and at times to collapse completely.

The New York Times - Science

The investment credit would gradually decline over time, and the corporate income tax would fall, giving companies an incentive to invest sooner rather than later, again without worsening the budget deficit.

The New York Times

The number of green cards for employer-sponsored immigrants would gradually decline, to 44,000 in the fifth year from 115,000 in each of the first two years.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gradually decline", ensure the context clearly indicates what is experiencing the decline, and over what timeframe. This adds clarity and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "gradually decline" when the decrease is abrupt or immediate. This phrase is best suited for describing a slow and progressive reduction over time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gradually decline" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often acting as the predicate of a sentence. It describes a process of diminishing or decreasing slowly over time. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to describe the decrease of profits, health, or other measurable quantities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gradually decline" is a versatile and frequently used verb phrase indicating a slow and progressive decrease over time. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and widely applicable in diverse contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. While alternatives like ""slowly decrease"" or ""steadily diminish"" exist, "gradually decline" offers a precise and readily understood description of gradual reduction. Use it when describing a process where something diminishes steadily over an extended period.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gradually decrease

A more direct synonym, emphasizing a reduction in quantity or degree.

gradually diminish

Similar to decrease, but with a focus on becoming smaller or less significant.

slowly decline

Emphasizes the gradual pace of the reduction.

steadily decline

Highlights the consistent and unwavering nature of the decline.

systematically decline

Implies a decline that follows a specific method or pattern.

eventually decline

Focuses on the certainty of the decline happening at some point in the future.

continuously decline

Implies an ongoing decline without interruption.

regularly decline

Suggests a consistent decline that happens at predictable intervals.

successively decline

Highlights the decline occurring in a series of steps or stages.

gently decline

Suggests a mild or subtle decrease, often without significant impact.

FAQs

What does "gradually decline" mean?

The phrase "gradually decline" means to decrease or diminish slowly over a period of time. It suggests a progressive reduction rather than a sudden drop.

How can I use "gradually decline" in a sentence?

You might say, "The company's profits began to "gradually decline" after the market crash" or "Her health began to "gradually decline" as she aged".

Which is correct, "gradually decline" or "suddenly decline"?

"Gradually decline" and "suddenly decline" are both correct, but they describe different types of changes. "Gradually decline" indicates a slow decrease, while "suddenly decline" indicates a rapid decrease. The choice depends on the situation you are describing.

What are some alternatives to "gradually decline"?

You can use alternatives like "slowly decrease", "steadily diminish", or "progressively reduce" to convey a similar meaning.