in declining order

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in declining order" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a sequence or arrangement that goes from highest to lowest, such as in data presentation or rankings. Example: "The results were presented in declining order, starting with the highest scores first."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Now, you note that the bid prices are arranged in declining order, right?

Yale University

The other main sites were, in declining order of prevalence: the shoulder (219), the knee (174) and the neck (110).

The New York Times - Magazine

The primary currencies identified at the airport for these three months include (in declining order): Saudi riyals, Euros, U.S. dollars, and UAE dirhams.

The Guardian

The main points of a story were summarised, followed by layers of additional detail, in declining order of importance, in an "inverted pyramid".

The Economist

At one time many different types of mules were recognized, such as draft mules, farm mules, sugar mules, cotton mules, and mining mules, in declining order of size.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In her understandably best-selling collection, Ms. Bushnell has assembled four stories, named them for hair-lightening methods ("Single Process," "Nice N'Easy") and arranged them in declining order of coherence and success.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

The photodegradation activity of methyl orange and methyl violet were in the declining order: Au@Cu2O > Cu2O Au nanocomposites > Cu2O > P25-TiO2.

Journal of Colloid and Interface Science

Only 21 were eventually built, leading the programme into a "death spiral" in which declining orders pushed up the unit price of an aircraft to absurd levels.

The Economist

The Carrier unit of the United Technologies Corporation is eliminating 600 jobs at two operations in Tennessee because of declining orders.

The New York Times

Though heavy-truck orders, which make up about a quarter of Navistar's sales, are in decline, orders for medium-sized trucks are more stable, and sales of Navistar's diesel engines, which are used in U.P.S., U-Haul and pickup trucks, continues to grow.

The New York Times

He had been offered a post as Minister to Siam in 1913, but declined in order to pursue the position in Peking.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting data, use "in declining order" to guide your reader from the most significant to the least significant findings, improving comprehension.

Common error

Avoid using "in declining order" when describing qualitative data or preferences unless those qualities can be meaningfully ranked on a quantifiable scale.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in declining order" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It describes the manner in which items are arranged, specifying that they are ordered from highest to lowest. Ludwig examples confirm its role in setting up how information is organized.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

30%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in declining order" is a useful tool for clearly indicating a sequential arrangement from highest to lowest, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's grammatically correct and commonly used in academic, scientific, news, and business contexts. While there are alternative phrases like "in descending sequence" or "ranked from highest to lowest", using "in declining order" ensures clarity when presenting quantitative or rank-based information. To avoid misuse, ensure the elements you are describing can indeed be ordered on a meaningful scale. Overall, it is valuable for structured writing and professional communication, which ensures is well presented and understood by readers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ranked from highest to lowest

Directly states the ranking method, clarifying the directional flow of the arrangement.

from largest to smallest

Simple and direct alternative, focusing on size as the primary differentiating factor.

in descending sequence

Emphasizes a sequential arrangement from highest to lowest, focusing on the order of arrangement.

in order of importance, downwards

Highlights the arrangement by significance or relevance.

in decreasing magnitude

Highlights a reduction in size or amount, referring to a quantifiable aspect.

in diminishing proportions

Focuses on the gradually lessening amounts or ratios, often used in statistical or analytical contexts.

in waning succession

Highlights a sequence where each item gradually diminishes or fades in prominence.

in inverse progression

Implies a reverse relationship, where one element decreases as another increases.

in reverse hierarchical order

Indicates a specific tiered structure where the higher levels are presented before the lower ones.

decreasingly

Single-word adverb that means 'to a decreasing extent or degree'.

FAQs

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

You can use "in declining order" to describe how data or items are arranged from the highest to the lowest value or importance. For example: "The survey results are presented "in declining order" of popularity."

What's a good alternative to "in declining order"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in descending sequence", "ranked from highest to lowest", or "from largest to smallest", depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to specify the criteria when using "in declining order"?

While not always required, specifying the criteria (e.g., "in declining order of revenue", "in declining order of importance") enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Can "in declining order" be used with non-numerical data?

It's best to use "in declining order" when referring to something quantifiable. If you are using a non-numerical value it's best to use terms like "in order of importance, downwards".