had slipped down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had slipped down" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has moved downward or decreased in position or level, often unintentionally. Example: "The book had slipped down from the shelf and landed on the floor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

At the end of last year he had slipped down to 40th in the world rankings.

The Guardian - Sport

"We've always been very positive about Norway, so when this year we found they had slipped down in the economy category we decided to look a bit further.

Independent

The duck, perhaps while it was diving for food, had thrust its beak through this thing, which had slipped down over its neck.

The New Yorker

He was dead – stiff and cold … I had to remove his identification tags, and they had slipped down between his collar bones and the flesh of his chest.

Independent

Heading for a Fail … the UK economy This week we heard news that the UK had slipped down yet another international league table.

The Guardian

He had on a pair of glasses that were loose and lopsided, and they had slipped down near the end of his nose.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

It has slipped down a bit – I read that someone was murdered there.

The Guardian

After that heat, Payne has slipped down to tenth but could still make the semis.

The Guardian - Sport

With Europe and Russia having slipped down on the Pentagon's priority list, a new Cuban missile crisis appears improbable.

The New York Times

Jobless claims have slipped down to 264,000 with the four-week average of 271,750 – the lowest in 15 years.

The Guardian

Bank bosses have slipped down the pay league since the financial crisis devastated their industry and reputation.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had slipped down" in a physical context, ensure it logically describes an unintended movement. For example, "His glasses had slipped down his nose as he read."

Common error

Be mindful of using "had slipped down" in place of active constructions. For example, instead of saying "He had slipped down the stairs", it's clearer to say "He slipped down the stairs".

Linguistic Context

"Had slipped down" serves as a verb phrase indicating a completed action of declining or moving to a lower position. It functions to describe a state that has changed, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples showing declines in rankings or physical positions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had slipped down" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a past decline in position, rank, or status. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is suitable for various contexts, though it most frequently appears in news and media. When using "had slipped down", ensure it accurately reflects an unintended downward movement or decline. While alternatives such as "had fallen" or "had declined" exist, choose the one that best fits the specific nuance you wish to convey. Avoid misusing it in place of active voice constructions for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had fallen

This alternative is more general and indicates a downward movement or a loss of position.

had dropped

This alternative implies a sudden or abrupt decrease in position or level.

had declined

This alternative suggests a decrease in value, quality, or importance.

had decreased

This alternative signifies a reduction in quantity, size, or intensity.

had diminished

This alternative indicates a reduction in size, extent, or importance.

had regressed

This alternative denotes a return to a former or less developed state.

had degraded

This alternative conveys a decline in quality or condition.

had sunk

This alternative suggests a descent to a lower level or condition, often with negative connotations.

had conceded

This alternative emphasizes a loss of a previously held position or advantage, indicating that another party has taken it.

had waned

This alternative suggests a gradual decrease in power, influence, or intensity.

FAQs

What does "had slipped down" mean?

The phrase "had slipped down" generally means something has unintentionally moved to a lower position or decreased in rank or status. It implies a downward movement or decline.

How can I use "had slipped down" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a physical descent, like "Her glasses "had slipped down" her nose", or a decline in ranking, such as "The company "had slipped down" the list of top performers".

What are some alternatives to "had slipped down"?

Alternatives include "had fallen", "had declined", or "had dropped", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "had slipped down"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable and appropriate in various contexts.