gradually declined

USAGE SUMMARY

"gradually declined" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to communicate that something decreased gradually over time. For example: "The company's profits gradually declined over the past five years."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Production has gradually declined.

Britannica

Meanwhile, my temperature gradually declined.

The Washington Post

In the 1730s Vivaldi's career gradually declined.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, phosphorylated STAT4 gradually declined within 24 h.

International Immunopharmacology

After that, its importance as a trading centre gradually declined.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The city gradually declined throughout the 18th century.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This risk gradually declined when hormones were discontinued.

The New York Times - Science

The impacts of the urban centers on urban expansion gradually declined with the urbanization progress.

Applied Geography

Since 1968 P. vulgaris has been lost from 16 sites and gradually declined on four others.

Biological Conservation

However, the rates of the increase in the splitting strength of LFASM gradually declined.

Construction and Building Materials

Over the next two centuries the feudal-familial system gradually declined and disappeared.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gradually declined" to describe trends or changes that happen incrementally rather than abruptly, providing a sense of measured progression.

Common error

Avoid using "gradually declined" when describing a sudden or sharp decrease. Opt for phrases like "plummeted", "sharply decreased", or "suddenly dropped" to accurately reflect the rapid change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gradually declined" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a process of decreasing over time. It typically modifies a noun, describing how something has changed, as demonstrated in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

Encyclopedias

13%

News & Media

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gradually declined" is a versatile phrase used to describe a slow and consistent decrease over time. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used across various domains, including science, encyclopedias, and news. While it's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, it's essential to ensure it accurately reflects the rate of change, differentiating it from more abrupt decreases. By understanding its nuanced usage and common errors, writers can effectively convey gradual trends and changes in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continuously declined

Emphasizes an uninterrupted decrease.

steadily decreased

Highlights the consistent and unwavering nature of the decline.

progressively diminished

Suggests a decrease that occurs in stages or increments.

slowly deteriorated

Implies a decline in quality or condition over time.

incrementally reduced

Focuses on the step-by-step nature of the reduction.

moderately lessened

Indicates a decline that is neither rapid nor drastic.

gently subsided

Suggests a calming or weakening in intensity.

eased off

Informal way to say that something has become less intense.

tapered off

Implies a gradual narrowing or decrease towards an end.

waned over time

Emphasizes a gradual loss of power, intensity, or influence.

FAQs

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

You can use "gradually declined" to describe a slow decrease over time. For example, "The company's profits "gradually declined" over the year."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "gradually declined"?

Alternatives include "steadily decreased", "progressively diminished", or "slowly deteriorated". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "gradually declined" in formal writing?

Yes, "gradually declined" is suitable for formal writing. However, ensure it accurately reflects the rate of change you're describing. If the decline was very slow, "slightly decreased" might be more accurate.

What's the difference between "gradually declined" and "rapidly declined"?

"Gradually declined" indicates a slow and steady decrease, while "rapidly declined" suggests a much faster drop. Choose the phrase that best represents the actual pace of the decline.