it fell by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it fell by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a decrease or reduction in something, often in a quantitative context. Example: "The company's profits fell by 20% last quarter, prompting a review of their business strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

In 2010 it grew by 1.4% during a 374.84% volume increase, and in 2011 it fell by 1.21% with its trading volume at 369.7% above normal.

TechCrunch

But last year it fell by 18.5percentt, placing it at the bottom of its peer group.

The New York Times

In the OECD, it fell by 2%.

The Economist

In Italy it fell by 94%.

The Economist

Last time it fell by 6.75 points; this time it fell by only 4.75.

The New York Times

In the United States it fell by 2% a year.

The Economist

In the one just past it fell by 0.8%.

The Economist

In fact, it fell by about one per cent.

The New Yorker

In Britain, it fell by 1.1% over the same period.

The Economist

In the year to March, it fell by 0.8%.

The Economist

But it the UK it fell by 2%.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it fell by", ensure you clearly state the period over which the fall occurred. For example, "It fell by 10% last quarter."

Common error

Avoid using "it fell by" without specifying what "it" refers to or the units of measurement. For example, instead of just saying "It fell by 5", specify "The price fell by $5."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it fell by" functions as a verb phrase indicating a decrease or reduction in a specific quantity. As shown by Ludwig, it is commonly used to quantify a decline. It needs a context to be clearly understood and it is related to quantitative variations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it fell by" is a versatile construction used to denote a quantifiable decrease or reduction. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts, primarily in news, science and business. Alternatives like "it decreased by" or "it dropped by" offer subtle variations in formality and emphasis. When using "it fell by", it's crucial to provide context, specifying what exactly decreased and over what period to avoid ambiguity. The phrase is considered neutral and common, making it a reliable choice for various writing needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it decreased by

Replaces "fell" with a more neutral term, suitable for formal contexts.

it declined by

Offers a formal alternative, often used in economic or statistical contexts.

it dropped by

Uses a more informal verb to indicate a decrease.

it diminished by

Employs a less common verb, suggesting a gradual decrease.

there was a decrease of

Transforms the sentence structure to emphasize the action of decreasing.

it lessened by

Indicates a reduction in intensity or degree.

it saw a reduction of

Focuses on the reduction as an event or result.

the rate diminished by

Focuses on a diminishing rate or pace.

a reduction of occurred

Places emphasis on the word reduction as the main subject.

the quantity shrank by

Suggests a contraction in size or amount.

FAQs

How do I use "it fell by" in a sentence?

Use "it fell by" to describe a reduction or decrease in a specific quantity or measurement. For example, "The stock price "it fell by" 15% after the announcement."

What can I say instead of "it fell by"?

You can use alternatives like "it decreased by", "it dropped by", or "it declined by" depending on the context.

Is "it fell by" formal or informal?

The phrase "it fell by" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "it decreased by" may be preferred in some professional settings.

What's the difference between "it fell by" and "it decreased by"?

While both phrases indicate a reduction, "it decreased by" is generally considered more formal and neutral, whereas ""it fell by"" can sometimes imply a more sudden or significant drop.