gradually declining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gradually declining" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a process or trend that is decreasing slowly over time. Example: "The population of the town has been gradually declining over the past decade due to economic challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But sales for some time had been gradually declining.

Harvard Business Review

It meant that they overlooked the important underlying trend of gradually declining readerships.

The Guardian

Electronics firms have supplemented the traditional but gradually declining woolen knitwear and tweed industries.

Britannica

But unlike PCB's, whose levels were gradually declining worldwide, the flame-retardant levels were rising.

The New York Times - Magazine

After returning to Mexico, Rivera continued to paint murals of gradually declining quality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Oman is a tribal society, although tribal influence is gradually declining.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Groundwater levels below these depth bands were associated with gradually declining yields, likely driven by poorer groundwater supply.

Field Crops Research

Erosion patterns for the last decade show that the impact of historical landscape structure is gradually declining.

CATENA

The storage change in two different groundwater withdrawal scenarios shows gradually declining groundwater storage in both scenarios.

Journal of Hydrology

He found searches for the term "air" had been gradually declining, suggesting "grievous consequences for the fate of humanity".

The Guardian - Tech

Since March 2011, nuclear generation in Japan has been gradually declining, and the country has replaced it with foreign fuels.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gradually declining" when you want to soften the impact of negative news. It can make the decrease sound less severe.

Common error

Avoid using "gradually declining" excessively in contexts where a more direct or decisive term would be more appropriate. Overusing it can dilute the impact and sound repetitive. Instead of saying 'the company's profits were gradually declining and morale was gradually declining' try using stronger and more varied words like 'plummeting' or 'eroding'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gradually declining" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the manner in which something is decreasing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it suggests a slow and consistent reduction over time. The examples show its use across various subjects, from market sales to environmental factors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gradually declining" is a phrase used to describe a slow and consistent decrease over time. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts. The phrase is particularly common in scientific and news-related sources, making it a versatile choice for conveying trends. While alternatives exist, such as "slowly decreasing" or "steadily decreasing", "gradually declining" maintains its distinct emphasis on a continuous and non-abrupt decrease. When writing, be mindful of overuse and ensure it fits the tone and context appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Slowly decreasing

Emphasizes the slowness of the decrease, similar to "gradually declining" but with a focus on speed.

Progressively diminishing

Highlights the continuous and incremental nature of the reduction.

Steadily decreasing

Indicates a consistent and unwavering decline.

Continually receding

Implies a continuous movement away or backward, reducing in extent or degree.

Incrementally diminishing

Focuses on the small steps or increments by which something is decreasing.

Gently falling

Evokes a softer image of reduction, suitable for less drastic decreases.

Systematically waning

Suggests a structured or organized decline.

Evolving downward

Implies a slow transformation toward a lower state or level.

Slowly eroding

Describes a gradual wearing away or disintegration.

Bit by bit reducing

Emphasizes the incremental nature of the decrease, happening in small portions.

FAQs

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

You can use "gradually declining" to describe a slow decrease over time. For example, "The number of students attending the school has been "gradually declining" over the past few years".

What are some alternatives to "gradually declining"?

Some alternatives to "gradually declining" include "slowly decreasing", "progressively diminishing", or "steadily decreasing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "gradually declining" or "rapidly declining"?

The choice between "gradually declining" and "rapidly declining" depends on the context and the rate of decrease. Use "gradually declining" when the decrease is slow and consistent, and "rapidly declining" when the decrease is fast and significant.

What's the difference between "gradually declining" and "gradually decreasing"?

While "gradually declining" and "gradually decreasing" are similar, "declining" often implies a negative connotation or a sense of loss, whereas "decreasing" is more neutral. Use "gradually declining" when there is an implication of something unwanted or undesirable happening while "gradually decreasing" is more appropriate for something more objective.