inching down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inching down" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe a slow but steady decrease in something; for example, "The temperature was inching down degree by degree until it reached freezing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

And crime is inching down now at a much slower pace than it did, say, twenty years ago.

The New Yorker

Obamacare promises to pay for 100% of costs from 2014 to 2016, inching down to 90% in 2020 and after.

The Economist

But St . Vincents C-section rate has been inching down in recent years — and Dr. Mussalli has been committed to lowering them even further.

The New York Times

Labor costs have been cut and newsprint prices are inching down, which means earnings will grow even without a turnaround in advertising revenue, he said.

The New York Times

If you lose this one and you happen to lose the next one... ...... Pettitte did not know how to finish the thought; he was inching down a hypothetical road he did not want to visit.

The New York Times - Sports

Alighting from Chopok gondola, the view should be fabulous, but a thick cloud has settled, so my ski buddy and I remain in constant voice contact, inching down until we reach the tree line, where visibility is restored.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

I would inch down backwards.

The New York Times - Arts

As he inched down, I inched up.

The New York Times

Promised annual returns have inched down from the 20-30% range to perhaps half that.

The Economist

Meanwhile, the purchasing managers index has inched down, although it is still forecasting continued economic growth.

The New York Times

The headline activity index inched down to 55.2 for February from 55.3 in January.

The Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "inching down" to describe a slow, often barely perceptible, decrease. This evokes a visual image of something gradually moving downwards.

Common error

Avoid using "inching down" when a rapid or significant decrease is occurring. Opt for stronger terms like "plummeting" or "collapsing" to accurately convey the magnitude of change.

Linguistic Context

Inching down functions as a phrasal verb, specifically a verb combined with an adverbial particle ("down"). It describes a process of slow, incremental decrease or movement downwards. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inching down" is a grammatically correct phrasal verb used to describe a slow and gradual decrease or downward movement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's most commonly found in News & Media contexts, conveying a sense of gradual change. While versatile, it's important to consider more formal alternatives like "gradually decreasing" when a more formal tone is needed. Remember to use it when describing minor or almost unnoticeable changes, reserving stronger terms for more significant declines.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gradually decreasing

This alternative focuses on the gradual aspect of the decrease, replacing the visual metaphor of "inching".

slowly declining

This alternative uses a more formal term, "declining", to convey the downward trend.

making a slow descent

This option highlights the downward movement using the word "descent".

steadily reducing

This emphasizes the consistent nature of the reduction.

moderately falling

Using "moderately" adds a nuance of degree to the falling action.

bit by bit receding

This version highlights the gradual and incremental disappearance.

incrementally diminishing

This alternative uses more formal vocabulary to describe a gradual lessening.

progressively lessening

This suggests a step-by-step reduction in quantity or intensity.

imperceptibly sliding

This emphasizes how unnoticeable the downward movement is.

softly lowering

This suggests a gentle and quiet downward movement.

FAQs

How can I use "inching down" in a sentence?

You can use "inching down" to describe a gradual decrease. For example, "The unemployment rate is "inching down" slowly".

What's the difference between ""inching down"" and "plummeting"?

"Inching down" suggests a slow, gradual decrease, while "plummeting" indicates a rapid and significant drop. They are opposites in terms of the speed and scale of change.

What can I say instead of ""inching down""?

You can use alternatives like "gradually decreasing", "slowly declining", or "steadily reducing" depending on the specific context.

Is "inching downwards" the same as ""inching down""?

"Inching downwards" is redundant because "down" is already implied in "inching". While not incorrect, ""inching down"" is more concise and common.