it dived by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it dived by" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be a misunderstanding of the phrase "it divided by," which is used in mathematical contexts to indicate division. Example: "To find the result, you take the total and divide it by the number of participants."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It dived by allowing water into a bilge tank at the bottom of the vessel and ascended by pushing water out through a hand pump.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Production fell by 6% a year on average between 1999 and 2010; since then it has dived by nearly 40% (see first chart).

The Economist

Its counterpart, LG Electronics, dived by 5.8%, to 68,300 won ($49.69), on persisting concerns about its own earnings.

Forbes

(Close): HSBC lifted the FTSE 100 as it mulled shifting its HQ abroad, but shares in French Connection dived by almost a third after weak sales warnings.

BBC

If this were to happen it would mean that the price of oil had dived by nearly 50% in less than six months.

The Guardian - Business

Cathay Pacific dived by 5.9%, to 13.98 Hong Kong dollars ($1.79), its lowest in two years.

Forbes

The retailer's value has dived by more than £1.4bn since the Guardian published its revelations on 9 December.

The Guardian - Business

Within a day, Elan's shares had dived by 40 per cent and Wyeth's by 12 per cent.

Independent

That of Baden-Württemberg, Ulm's home state, dived by as much as 8%.

The Economist

And when the business day opened in Europe, the FTSE 100 index dived by 4%.

The Guardian - Business

Since the credit crunch began, the insurance firm's shares have dived by 90%.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a decrease, use more common and grammatically correct phrases such as "it decreased by", "it fell by", or "it dropped by" to ensure clarity and accuracy.

Common error

Avoid confusing "dived by" with "divided by". "Dived" describes a downward movement or decrease, while "divided" is a mathematical operation. Ensure you are using the correct term based on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it dived by" functions as a descriptive phrase, attempting to quantify a decrease or reduction. However, according to Ludwig AI, it is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. Examples show its use in contexts describing financial declines or technical specifications, but more accurate alternatives should be preferred.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it dived by" is grammatically incorrect and not recommended for use in standard written English. Ludwig AI indicates that it seems to be a misunderstanding of the phrase "it divided by." Although examples can be found in news and wiki sources, more precise and accepted alternatives such as "it decreased by", "it fell by", or "it dropped by" are preferable. When aiming for clarity and accuracy, especially in formal or professional contexts, choosing correct and commonly used phrases is essential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it decreased by

Replaces "dived" with "decreased", providing a more standard and clear expression of reduction.

it fell by

Substitutes "dived" with "fell", a simpler and more commonly used term for a decrease.

it dropped by

Uses "dropped" instead of "dived", offering a more casual yet accurate way to describe a decline.

it declined by

Replaces "dived" with "declined", which is a more formal and precise term for a decrease.

it reduced by

Uses "reduced" in place of "dived", emphasizing the act of diminishing in a more controlled manner.

it plummeted by

Replaces "dived" with "plummeted", indicating a rapid and significant fall.

it plunged by

Substitutes "dived" with "plunged", suggesting a sudden and dramatic decrease.

it sank by

Uses "sank" instead of "dived", implying a descent or reduction, often in a figurative sense.

it diminished by

Replaces "dived" with "diminished", providing a more sophisticated and nuanced way to describe a reduction.

it contracted by

Substitutes "dived" with "contracted", often used in economic contexts to describe a decrease in size or scope.

FAQs

What is the correct way to describe a decrease or reduction?

Instead of "it dived by", use phrases like "it decreased by", "it fell by", or "it dropped by". These alternatives are grammatically correct and commonly used.

What does "dived" mean in the context of describing changes?

"Dived" implies a sudden and rapid decrease. However, the phrase "it dived by" is not grammatically correct. Use alternatives like "it plummeted by" or "it plunged by" to convey a similar meaning.

Which is correct, "it dived by" or "it decreased by"?

"It decreased by" is the correct and more commonly used phrase. "It dived by" is not standard English and should be avoided in formal writing.

How can I use "dive" correctly in a sentence describing a decrease?

You can say "the price took a dive" or "the stock price dived sharply". Avoid using "dived by", and instead, use alternatives such as "fell sharply" or "decreased significantly".