is spiraling downward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is spiraling downward" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that is deteriorating or declining rapidly. Example: "The company's profits have been declining for several quarters, and now it seems that their reputation is spiraling downward as well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

optimism is spiraling downward".

The New York Times

AFGHANISTAN is spiraling downward.

The New York Times

Hardaway, the Dallas Mavericks reserve point guard, wanted it known that the Miami Heat is spiraling downward, and he wanted to blame Riley, his former coach in Miami.

The New York Times - Sports

And in a race where there's an obvious (if not quite certain) nominee, there will always come a point at which the press will decide that that candidate is spiraling downward, the cloak of inevitability is torn and tattered, the campaign is in crisis, the whispering from party loyalists is growing louder, and the scramble is on to find an alternative before the fall occurs.

The Washington Post

As their education system is spiraling downward, as well as a continued deterioration of their environment, the Chinese want the best for their children.

Forbes

We've lost 3 million jobs in the last year alone, and the economy is spiraling downward fast.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

As land prices spiral downward, the amount the banks can reasonably hope to recover is spiralling downward as well.

The Economist

Her precarious health, which had been spiraling downward, appears to have rebounded in recent months.

The Washington Post

Manager Terry Collins disputed the idea that his team was spiraling downward, but the evidence has been glaring.

The New York Times - Sports

Losing streaks of four, five, five, three, eight and three quickly followed one another, and Kelly's team was spiraling downward.

The New York Times - Sports

ImClone's shares, which have been spiraling downward all month, fell an additional $3.09, or 16percentto to $16.49.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is spiraling downward" to describe situations that are not just declining, but also becoming increasingly erratic or unpredictable. The spiral metaphor suggests a loss of control.

Common error

While acceptable, "is spiraling downward" can sound overly dramatic in formal or business writing. Consider using phrases like "is declining" or "is trending negatively" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is spiraling downward" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process of decline or deterioration. It describes something that is not just decreasing but doing so in an accelerating, often chaotic, manner. Ludwig indicates that this is a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is spiraling downward" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase used to describe a situation that is rapidly deteriorating. Ludwig's analysis of various sources reveals it's most commonly found in news and media contexts. While effective for conveying a sense of urgency and decline, writers should consider more formal alternatives like "is declining rapidly" for academic or business writing. The phrase's strength lies in its metaphorical imagery of a spiral, suggesting a loss of control and increasing chaos.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is declining rapidly

Focuses on the speed of the decline, less metaphorical.

is deteriorating quickly

Highlights the worsening condition, less emphasis on the rate.

is on a downward trend

Emphasizes the direction of change over time, more statistical.

is going downhill

More informal and general, less precise about the nature of the decline.

is falling apart

Suggests a complete breakdown or disintegration, more dramatic.

is collapsing

Implies a sudden and catastrophic failure, higher intensity.

is in freefall

Emphasizes a rapid and uncontrolled decline, more vivid imagery.

is plummeting

Similar to 'in freefall' but can also refer to numerical values, a bit more formal.

is weakening

Focuses specifically on a reduction in strength or power, less general.

is fading away

Implies a gradual disappearance or loss, less abrupt.

FAQs

How can I use "is spiraling downward" in a sentence?

You can use "is spiraling downward" to describe situations that are rapidly declining or deteriorating. For example, "The company's profits "is spiraling downward" due to increased competition".

What are some alternatives to "is spiraling downward"?

Some alternatives include "is declining rapidly", "is deteriorating quickly", or "is on a downward trend".

When is it appropriate to use "is spiraling downward"?

"Is spiraling downward" is appropriate when you want to emphasize not just a decline, but also a sense of increasing chaos or loss of control. It's suitable for describing economies, personal situations, or even sports teams.

Is ""is spiraling downward"" too informal for academic writing?

While "is spiraling downward" isn't strictly incorrect, it might be perceived as less formal than alternatives like "is declining rapidly" or "is exhibiting a downward trajectory". Consider your audience and the overall tone of your work.